California Air Resources Board

HMM Ocean Service Co., Ltd. Settles For $13,000

In January 2024, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement with HMM Ocean Service Co., Ltd. (HMM), with its principal location in South Korea, for the company’s violation of the Fuel Sulfur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean-Going Vessels Within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline (Ocean-Going Vessel Fuel Regulation), as codified in the California Code of Regulations, title 13, section 2299.2, and title 17, section 93118.2.

Following a routine inspection and investigation conducted by HMM and CARB staff, it was revealed that the HMM vessel, HMM Promise, failed to operate on compliant fuel upon entry into Regulated California Waters in 2023. CARB alleged two days of violation for a penalty of $13,000 under Health and Safety Code section 39674. HMM took prompt action after being notified of these violations and, under CARB’s supervision, began operating in compliance.

To settle the case, HMM agreed to the total penalty amount for the violation and to comply with CARB regulations going forward. The total penalty amount will be deposited into CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality.

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