Port of Seattle continues low-sulfur fuel incentive

   The Port of Seattle said Monday it will continue to offer incentives to ocean carriers and cruise lines to burn low-sulfur fuel while at berth. 
   The port authority said it has paid out more than $3 million to qualifying ship owners and removed more than 835 tons of pollutants from the Puget Sound area since the At Berth Clean Fuels Program began in 2009. 
   The program encourages vessel operators to go beyond international Emission Control Area requirements.
   This year, the ABC Fuels Program will change to a “per metric ton” incentive for vessels that achieve early compliance with 2015 ECA requirements to burn fuel with 0.1 percent or less sulfur content while at berth. The incentive payout depends on the amount of fuel burned and could be as much as $7,400 per qualifying vessel call.
   The program has contributed to a significant reduction in sulfur dioxide and diesel particulate emissions in the Seattle area. So far, eight container lines have participated in the program.