CARB fines four for fuel switch failures

JANUARY 19, 2015 — The California Air Resources Board has fined four shipping companies a combined $146,719 for failing to switch from  bunker fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur marine distillate fuel upon entering Regulated California Waters – within 24 nautical miles of the California coast.

Adopted in 2008, the Ocean-Going Vessels Fuel Rule was designed to reduce fine particulate pollution, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur oxide emissions from ocean-going vessels to improve air quality and public health in California.

The companies listed below were fined for either failing to switch to cleaner fuel within regulated waters, or for switching fuels in an untimely manner.  They all took prompt action after being notified of the violations, and, under ARB’s supervision, are complying with state law.

• Wealth Ocean Ship Management Co., Ltd. (China) – $27,750  Vessel name: Uni Auc One
• China Shipping Container Lines (China) – $35,719  Vessel name: Xin Mei Zhou
• Liberty One Ship Management (Germany) – $53,000  Vessel name: BBC Arizona
• Kitaura Kaiun Co., Ltd. (Japan) – $30,250V essel name: Ocean Seagull

“State anti-pollution laws require shippers to do their part to protect air quality,” said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “Shippers who comply are helping to protect the health of those who live, work, and go to schools near ports and shipping lanes.  Many Californians don’t realize that diesel soot and other pollutants can also travel far inland to impact communities nowhere near the sea.  Our Ocean-Going Vessels Fuel Rule strives to protect residents throughout the state from the harmful impacts of ship pollution.”