California Fines 4 Ships for Violating Fuel Rules

zoomLiberty One Ship Management's BBC Arizona, fined USD 53,000 The California Air Resources Board has fined four shipping companies a combined USD 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 California coast. Chinas Wealth Ocean Ship Management and China Shipping Container Lines, Germanys Liberty One Ship Management, and Japans Kitaura Kaiun were fined for either failing to switch to cleaner fuel within, regulated waters, or for switching fuels in an untimely manner. ARB says that all the companies took prompt action after being notified of the violations, and, under ARB’s supervision, are complying with state law. 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. 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.  Image: USCG