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.
Source: Steamship Mutual
