California Air Resources Board

Cosco Container Lines Co., LTD. Settles For $965,300

In October 2019, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) settled a case with COSCO Container Lines, Co., Ltd. (COSCO) of Shanghai, China, for violations of the Ocean-Going Vessel At-Berth Regulation for $965,300. The violations were discovered during routine audits of COSCO’s 2014 – 2017 Port of Los Angeles/Port of Long Beach (LA/LB) and Port of Oakland vessel fleet visits. The investigation by CARB revealed that from 2014 to 2016, COSCO’s Oakland and LA/LB fleets did not meet the operational time limits for at least half of the visits, and did not reduce the auxiliary engine power generation by 50 percent, resulting in 2,401 alleged violations. For the 2017 compliance year, COSCO’s Oakland fleet did not meet the operational time limits for at least 70 percent of the fleet’s visits and did not reduce the auxiliary engine power generation by 70 percent, resulting in 211 alleged violations. To settle this case, COSCO agreed to the $965,300 penalty and to comply with CARB regulations.  COSCO also committed to have 100 percent of its vessels shore power capable, and early compliance with the 80 percent reduction requirements before 2020. The per unit penalty was agreed to be $250 per violation in 2014, $350 per violation in 2015, $450 per violation in 2016, and $550 per violation in 2017.  COSCO cooperated with the investigation and met their commitment for exceeding 80 percent power reductions in the subsequent compliance year.

 Return to 2019 Case Settlements

News Release