Executive Summary

Members are advised that new fines will be applicable in California from 1 January 2021 for ship sourced oil pollution damage in Californian State waters.

For Members trading to California, these legislative changes will result in:

1) A doubling of certain existing fines up to a maximum of US$1,000,000 for each violation, with each day or partial day of a violation being considered a separate violation, and

2) The courts being empowered to impose a new additional fine of up to US$1,000 per gallon of oil spilled in excess of 1,000 gallons

In each case a fine may be imposed if the violator knowingly caused, or reasonably should have known that their actions would lead to, an oil spill into Californian State waters.

View Europe Circular

Source: Steamship Mutual