Sources said the court in a drive at the port channel fined MV Royal Star Tk 1 lakh for unloading cement clinkers without taking any preventive measure against environmental pollution in the area.

The court also ordered the owner of the vessel to take necessary steps with the help of the Department of Environment within a month to prevent air pollution during unloading of clinkers.

The same court also fined six lighter vessels Tk 1.40 lakh for overloading.

The fined vessels are MV BB-1146, MV Shouharda, MV Safina A Makka, MV Samata STA-1, MV Akash-3 and MV Paira.

Of the vessels, MV Paira was found in most dilapidated condition and it was seized from Sadarghat area.

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Magistrate Mohammad Munir Chowdhury led the drives.