The 5,900-TEU container vessel APL Spain has become the latest milestone in a two-year-old environmental program at the Port of Seattle aimed at slashing ocean going vessel air emissions.
In a ceremony on June 28th, officials from the port recognized APL, the shipping arm of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines, for the carrier’s commitment to environmental protection and acknowledged the APL Spain as the 800th vessel to call at Seattle under the port's At-Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) program.
Implemented in 2009 as a means of addressing ocean-going vessel emissions, ABC Fuels requires vessels to switch to and burn low sulfur fuel while docked in Seattle.
"We are very pleased that our vessel is the port’s 800th At-Berth Clean Fuels vessel," APL Americas President Gene Seroka said at the ceremony.
"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.”
Speaking during the ceremony aboard the APL Spain bridge, Linda Styrk, Managing Seaport Director of the Port of Seattle said, “We want to acknowledge APL’s environmental leadership. APL voluntarily switched to low sulphur fuels at the Port of Seattle long before the ABC Fuels program was created. We count APL as one of the Port's key environmental partners, and thank APL for its long-standing partnership and unwavering commitment to reduce environmental impacts.”
APL’s Vice President for Environment Earl Agron said that the port's environmental focus meshes well with APL's commitment to the environment.
"The APL Spain's visit as the port's 800th ABC Fuels ship is tangible evidence of a program that is both robust and environmentally successful."
APL began its voluntary low sulfur fuel-switching program in Los Angeles and Seattle in 2007. The carrier has since extended the program to Hong Kong, New Jersey, New York and Vancouver. In April, APL became the first carrier calling at the Port of Singapore to switch to low-sulfur fuel.
