APL converting ships to low-sulfur fuel in Seattle

APL converting ships to low-sulfur fuel in Seattle APL said Friday that all of its vessels on the weekly transpacific PS1 service will burn low-sulfur fuel in their auxiliary engines while berthed at the Port of Seattle.
   The Singapore-based carrier said the conversion could reduce diesel particulate matter emissions at the Washington State port by 75 percent, while emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) could be cut by 80 percent. Over the course of a year, 3.5 tons of particulate matter emissions will be eliminated and 30 tons of SOx, APL said.
   “We’re taking this step unilaterally because it’s the right thing to do and absolutely essential if we’re going to meet the growing demands of containerized trade,” said APL Americas President John Bowe.
   “There is no regulatory requirement for low-sulfur fuel in Seattle but we’ve got a responsibility to soften our impact on the communities we serve,” Bowe said.
   Last December, APL announced the conversion of 23 vessels in its California services to low-sulfur fuel and entered into a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and California air quality boards to test fuel emulsification technology that could significantly reduce pollutants from vessel exhaust.