The California Air Resources Board said Jan. 13 that it has
fined four shipping companies a combined $146,719 for failing to switch from
dirty diesel “bunker” fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur marine distillate fuel upon
entering regulated California waters, within 24 nautical miles of the coast.
The four companies were fined for either failing to switch
to cleaner fuel within, regulated waters, or for switching fuels in an untimely
manner. However, they all took prompt action after being notified of the
violations, according to the air board. The companies are:
Wealth Ocean Ship Management Co., Ltd. of China, which was
fined $27,750 for violations by the vessel Uni Auc One.
China Shipping Container Lines, which was fined $35,719 for
violations by the vessel Xin Mei Zhou.
Liberty One Ship Management of Germany, which was fined
$53,000 for violations by the vessel BBC Arizona.
Kitaura Kaiun Co., Ltd. of Japan, which was fined $30,250
for violations by the vessel Ocean Seagull.
“State anti-pollution laws require shippers to do their part
to protect air quality,” ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden said.
CARB’s Ocean-Going Vessels Fuel Rule, which was adopted in
2008, 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.
“Our Ocean-Going Vessels Fuel Rule strives to protect
residents throughout the state from the harmful impacts of ship pollution,”
Ryden said.
