Officials said a leaking pipe on the starboard side of the 577-foot cargo ship Istra Ace appears to have been the source of the spill. The docked ship was reported to have been leaking heavy fuel in the Cerritos Channel.
An oily fuel slick that appeared at the Port of Los Angeles was probably caused by faulty piping on a cargo ship, according to the Coast Guard.
The leak has been repaired, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Sondra-Kay Kneen.
Recreational and commercial vessel traffic was restricted around the spill area to avoid possible contamination and allow clean-up efforts to begin.