SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board has fined 12 shipping companies a combined $476,750 USD for failure to switch from dirty diesel “bunker” fuel to cleaner, low-sulfur marine distillate fuel upon entering Regulated California Waters, as required by state law.

“Our regulations mandating use of cleaner fuel by ocean-going vessels have greatly helped to improve air quality not only in coastal communities, but also in inland areas," said ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden. “Studies have shown that coastal air pollution travels far inland, so when ships off our shores follow the rules, millions of people benefit.”

All companies mentioned below took prompt action after being notified of the violations and, under ARB’s supervision, began complying with state law. All were fined for either failing to switch to cleaner fuel within 24 nautical miles of the California coast, or for switching fuels in an untimely manner:

• Univan Maritime Ltd. (Hong Kong) - $78,250
  • Vessel name: Maersk Wolfsburg

• Firon Shipping Inc. (Cyprus) c/o XT Shipping Group - $68,000
  • Vessel name: Blue Diamond

• W. Bockstiegel GmbH & Co. Reederei KG (Germany) - $55,500
  • Vessel name: BBC Arizona

• MK Shipmanagement Co., LTD. (Tokyo) - $53,000
  • Vessel name: Ocean Seagull

• Cosco Maritime LTD. (UK) - $34,500
  • Vessel name: Antwerp

• Triton Schiffahrts GmbH - $30,250
  • Vessel name: Eagle Bay

• Dumun Marine S.A. (Panama) - $30,250
  • Vessel name: Dumun

• Peter Doehle Schiffahrts (Germany) - $27,750
  • Vessel name: Fanfare

• Byzantine Maritime Corporation (Greece) - $27,750
  • Vessel name: Ermione

• Crowley Technical Management, Inc. (Florida, USA) - $27,750
  • Vessel name: Ocean Crescent

• BigLift Shipping B.V. (Netherlands) - $23,750
  • Vessel name: Happy Dynamic

• YA-SA Tanker and Transportation (Turkey) - $20,000
  • Vessel name: Golden Horn

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and more than 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other health problems.