APL, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping line, last week announced it will begin using cleaner-burning fuel in its 85 ships calling weekly at Hong Kong port.
The firm said its decision to use low-sulphur fuel will cut sulphur dioxide emissions (which contibute to acid rain) from ships at port by 87 per cent.
“We have a large presence in Hong Kong and with that comes the responsibility to be a good corporate citizen,” said George Goldman, vice president and managing director for APL in Hong Kong and South China, in a press release.
“We’re taking this step unilaterally to make the point that global trade growth and environmental health are not mutually exclusive goals.”
APL vessels at berth will convert to low-sulphur fuel in auxiliary generators that power shipboard electrical systems, a move the firm described as more expensivethan the diesel fuel typically burned, but better for the environment.
APL will begin converting vessels to the new fuel this month. Since 2007, APL has used low-sulphur in ships calling at the Ports of Los Angeles and Seattle. As with Hong Kong, the switch to cleaner fuel at those locations was also voluntary.
APL is a global container shipping business offering more than 60 weekly services and more than 500 calls at more than 140 ports worldwide. The firm is a unit of Singapore-based NeptuneOrient Lines (NOL), global shipping and logistics company.
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