Seattle low-sulfur program attracts six carriers

Seattle low-sulfur program attracts six carriers    Six shipping lines have participated since January in the Port of Seattle's air pollution reduction program that calls for low-sulfur diesel fuel to be used while ships are at berth, the port said Friday.
   The voluntary program has seen 37 ships from those lines make 91 calls, representing about 35 percent of Seattle's regular vessel calls. The program requires participating ships to burn fuel with 0.5 percent or less sulfur. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency helps defray the more expensive fuel costs by paying $1,500 for each port call.
   The program is part of Seattle's attempt to reach goals laid out in the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, which includes the ports of Tacoma and Vancouver. Participating shipping lines are APL, CMA CGM, COSCO Container Lines, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Line and Matson Navigation.
   Onboard inspections are conducted by Det Norske Veritas, an independent environmental protection foundation based in Norway, said Phil Lutes, deputy managing director Seattle's seaport division.