The master of the APL England that lost containers overboard off the Illawarra coast last week has been charged over the incident.
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And it won't be leaving before it supplies a multi-million dollar guarantee.
On May 24, around 50 containers went into the water in rough seas after the ship temporarily lost power.
After arriving at the Port of Brisbane, officers from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority began investigations.
AMSA General Manager Operations Allan Schwartz said the ship's master had been charged with offences relating to pollution of the marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading.
The two charges carry a maximum fine of more than $300,000.
The master appeared in Wynnum Magistrates Court on Monday, where the matter was adjourned to Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 12.
The investigations are continuing and the ship will remain at Brisbane until its insurers put up a $22 million surety - the estimated cost of the clean-up and salvage operation.
That $22 million will "provide a commitment that they will remediate all impacts of this incident", Mr Schwartz said.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
