A hopper dredger currently sailing under the flag of Luxembourg may face fines for violating Philippine maritime laws after anchoring and then leaving the country without securing port clearances from authorities.

According to Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, "Francis Beaufort" is now in Singapore and may be charged with directly violating PPA Administrative Order No. 13-77— the General Port Rules and Regulations for leaving the port without valid PPA clearances.

Santiago said the vessel has outstanding port charges of P164.2 million as of 15 October, covering penalties and surcharges.

"No vessel shall leave a port unless possessed of a valid PPA Port Clearance issued by, or on behalf of the Authority, in addition to the requirements of other government agencies and a final clearance issued by the Philippine Coast Guard," read the show cause order dated 26 October, addressed to Earvin Dodoso, project manager for Offshore Support Services of Ben Line Agencies Philippines Inc. or BLAPI.

The notice from the Philippine Ports Authority-Port Management Office added: "One of the documentary requirements for departure clearance for foreign vessels is the official receipt/s of payment of port charges. You were then advised to obtain the necessary vessel clearance from the Marine Section of PMO NCR-South."

Attached to the show cause order was a copy of the 17 October 2023 letter addressed to Capt. Terence Uytingban, director and vice president of Marine Agency Services of BLAPI.

Under Sections 4 and 8 of the terms and conditions of the PPA-issued permit to operate, "the grantee shall observe and comply with all pertinent PPA policies, rules and regulations and shall strictly observe the port security standard operating procedures of this PMO such as but not limited to the parking, traffic, safety and security."

On the other hand, Section 8 also states, "The grantee shall promptly pay, where applicable, all charges and other obligations to PPA."

"Your agency failed to settle the unpaid port charges and secure the vessel departure clearance, which is tantamount to a blatant disregard of the lawful order of the PPA and the terms and conditions of your PTO (Permit to Operate).

"In this regard, you are hereby required to show cause in writing within 72 hours why your PTO should not be revoked and/or canceled by this PMO, and cancellation of your PPA accreditation should not be recommended," the notice read.

Based on available data on the website of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority or NAMRIA, BLAPI utilized Francis Beaufort in several dredging works off Pasay City and Ternate, Cavite in 2022.