Transport Canada says it has charged a vessel with spilling oil south of Nova Scotia last June.

The two pollution-related charges were laid in provincial court in Halifax Thursday. The Cypiot-registered vessel is alleged to have discharged less than 50 litres of oil and then failed to report it.

A statement by the department says the spill was detected by high-tech equipment on board a Transport Canada plane.

The department alleges the cargo vessel - the MV Alida Gorthon - was in Canadian waters, about 200 kilometres south of Nova Scotia, when the spill was seen in its wake.

If convicted, the ship could face fines up to $1 million and prison sentences up to 18 months under the Canada Shipping Act.

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