SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board 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 California coast.

“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.

The companies mentioned below were fined for either failing to switch to cleaner fuel within, regulated waters, or for switching fuels in an untimely manner.  They all took prompt action after being notified of the violations, and, under ARB’s supervision, are complying with state law.

• Wealth Ocean Ship Management Co., Ltd. (China) - $27,750
  • Vessel name: Uni Auc One
• China Shipping Container Lines (China) - $35,719
  • Vessel name: Xin Mei Zhou
• Liberty One Ship Management (Germany) - $53,000
  • Vessel name: BBC Arizona
• Kitaura Kaiun Co., Ltd. (Japan) - $30,250
  • Vessel name: Ocean Seagull

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.

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.