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Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has announced that its vessels will begin using cleaner-burning, low sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) in Singapore.

According to the company, the decision is expected to curb sulphur oxides emissions from its ships by almost 90 percent. Ash and particulate matter emissions could be reduced by 80 percent to 90 percent.

"We are proud to be the first container shipping line to convert to cleaner-burning fuel here," said Eng Aik Meng, President of APL, the NOL Group’s shipping line. "As Singapore’s largest carrier, we feel a responsibility to manage the environmental impact of global trade."

All 80 APL vessels calling in Singapore will start converting to marine gas oil at berth from today. The ships make more than 900 port calls at the city-state annually.

“We greatly welcome APL’s decision to switch to using low sulphur fuel in Singapore and hope that more shipping companies will follow APL’s lead in doing so,” said Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

APL’s switch to cleaner-burning fuel beats a deadline set by the International Maritime Organisation. The deadline – adopted by Singapore – calls for a reduction in the sulphur content of marine fuel to 3.5 percent in 2012; and 0.5 percent in 2020. Marine gas oil, which APL will use in Singapore, has an average sulphur content of 0.25 percent.

APL began its voluntary fuel-switching programme in Los Angeles and Seattle in 2007. The shipping line has since extended the programme to Vancouver, Hong Kong, New York and New Jersey.