V.Ships (Hamburg) GmbH & Co. KG Settlement
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V.Ships (Hamburg) GmbH & Co. KG Settles For $14,000
In August 2026, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement with V.Ships (Hamburg) GmbH & Co. KG (V.Ships), with its principal location in Germany, 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 an investigation conducted by V.Ships and CARB staff, it was revealed that V.Ships’ vessel Northern Monument failed to operate on compliant fuel upon entry into Regulated California Waters in 2025. CARB alleged two days of violation for a penalty of $14,000, under Health and Safety Code section 39674. V.Ships took prompt action after being notified of these violations and, under CARB’s supervision, began operating in compliance.
To settle the case, V.Ships agreed to the penalty of $7,000 per day in violation for a total settlement amount of $14,000. The civil penalty amount of $7,000 will be deposited into CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality. V.Ships elected to fund a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) with the remaining amount of $7,000 entitled, Bayview Hunters Point Environmental Justice Response Task Force Project, with Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice. The purpose of the SEP is to support the community-led Bayview Hunters Point Environmental Justice Response Task Force, which raises and examines a wide range of pollution issues.
Terms of the settlement include a requirement for V.Ships to comply with all other CARB regulations going forward. V.Ships worked cooperatively with CARB staff to quickly resolve this matter, and implemented additional measures to reduce the potential of any future violations.