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The Port of Seattle has today welcomed the APL Spain, the 800th vessel to use low sulphur fuel while in port.

Through its At-Berth Clean (ABC) Fuels program, shipping and cruise lines are encouraged to use the cleaner fuel while at berth. Since the program began in 2009, nearly 500 metric tonnes of sulphur dioxide are calculated to have been eliminated from the local environment.

"The ABC Fuels program shows that we can protect the environment and grow the economy," said Port Commissioner Rob Holland. "We are getting great results in clean air by partnering with companies like APL."

"We are very pleased that our vessel is the port's 800th At-Berth Clean Fuels vessel. Under Tay Yoshitani's leadership, the Port of Seattle has made great strides in improving the quality of the environment for the residents of Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Reaching the 800th ship milestone is no small task and APL commends the port for its hard work and dedication," said APL Americas President Gene Seroka.

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 sulphur fuel in vessels' auxiliary engines for each call. This program has seen a steady increase in participants since it began. The low sulphur fuel (<0.5% sulphur) is estimated to reduce sulphur 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 cargo and cruise lines and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. More than 116 vessels from eight container carriers and four cruise lines 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.