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APL, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping line, has said that it will begin using cleaner-burning fuel in its 85 ships calling at the port of Hong Kong every week.

APL said the decision to use low-sulphur fuel will cut sulphur dioxide emissions from ships at port by 87 percent.

“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.

“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.

The shipping line said it 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.