The following is the text of a press release issued by the Port of Seattle:
(SEATTLE) — The Port of Seattle Commission authorized over $110,000 for one of its most successful environmental initiatives, the At-Berth Clean (ABC) Fuels program, which encourages shipping and cruise lines to burn cleaner fuels while at berth. Today’s funding brings this year’s total to over $950,000 to cover qualifying vessels visits for the remainder of the year.
“Our Clean Fuels program shows how we can help both the economy and the environment,” said Commission President Bill Bryant. ABC Fuels is a product of the 2007 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy whose goal is to improve air quality for the region. The port provides an incentive of $2,250 to use low sulfur fuel in vessels’ auxiliary engines for each call. This year has seen a steady increase in participation, with 350 qualifying vessel visits to the Port of Seattle so far, with an estimated total of 400 vessels by year end.
The ABC Fuels program began in 2009 and to date has eliminated more than 340 metric tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. The low-sulfur fuel (<0.5% sulfur) is estimated to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 80 percent and diesel particulate matter by more than 60 percent.
ABC Fuels is a partnership that includes some of the Port’s ocean carriers and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. More than 75 vessels from nine carriers have participated in the program. Participating carriers have included Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson Navigation, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
ABC Fuels is a partnership that includes some of the Port’s ocean carriers and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. More than 75 vessels from nine carriers have participated in the program. Participating carriers have included Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson Navigation, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
