Shipping companies fined $111,000 for air quality violations

Failed to use cleaner fuel when near California coast

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board announced today
that it has fined Dojima Marine and Korkyra Shipping $55,500 each
for failing to use cleaner-burning fuel when less than 24
nautical miles from California’s shores.

“Burning dirty bunker fuel produces unacceptable amounts of
particulate matter and sulfur dioxide,” said ARB Enforcement
Chief James Ryden. “Requiring ships to burn cleaner fuel provides
significant benefits for California’s coastal communities by
reducing asthma triggers and airborne carcinogens.”

Dojima Marine and Korkyra Shipping cooperated and acknowledged
that their individual ships operated in regulated California
waters using heavily polluting bunker fuel rather than the
required cleaner marine distillate.

The money will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund to
support projects and research to improve the state's air
quality.

The clean fuel requirement, adopted in 2008, reduced
diesel-particulate matter from ships blowing over the state by 15
tons per day, an 83 percent reduction of the previously
uncontrolled emissions from ships. The required shift to cleaner
fuel also cut sulfur oxide emissions by 40 tons per day, a 95
percent reduction, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 11 tons per
day, a 6 percent reduction.

In 1998, ARB identified diesel particulate matter as a Toxic Air
Contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer and other
health problems, including premature death and a number of heart
and lung diseases.

Exposure to diesel PM is a health hazard, particularly to
children whose lungs are still developing, and the elderly who
may have other serious health problems. Health risks from diesel
PM are highest in areas of concentrated emissions, such as near
ports, rail yards, freeways, or warehouse distribution centers.

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.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
(916) 322-2990