The overseeing body of California's air pollution control efforts, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has fined Japanese shipping company Dojima Marine and Croatian-based Korkyra Shipping $55,500 USD each for failing to use cleaner-burning fuel when less than 24 nautical miles away from the shores of California.
According to CARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden, "Burning dirty bunker fuel produces unacceptable amounts of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide,” and "Requiring ships to burn cleaner fuel provides significant benefits for California’s coastal communities by reducing asthma triggers and airborne carcinogens.”
Adopted in 2008, CARB reports:
- an 83 percent reduction of previously uncontrolled ship emissions
- a reduction of 15 tons per day of diesel-particulate matter being blown over the state
- a 95 percent reduction or a cut of 40 tons per day of sulfur oxide emissions
- nitrogen oxide emissions reduced by 11 tons per day
California Air Resources Board
CARB, a department of Califonia's Environmental Protection Agency, reported that both Dojima Marine and Korkyra Shipping had cooperated and acknowledged that their ships had operated in regulated California waters using heavily polluting bunker fuel as opposed to the cleaner marine distillate as required.
The money collected in fines will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund to support projects and research to improve the state's air quality.
CARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California with a mission to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.
