The APL Spain was the 800th vessel to call the Port of Seattle under the latter’s At-Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) program. Launched in 2009 to reduce maritime related air emissions, ABC Fuels requires vessels to use low sulphur fuel while docked in Seattle.
"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.
Speaking from the bridge of the 5,888-teu APL Spain, 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 programme 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 added, “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 fuel-switching program in Los Angeles and Seattle in 2007. The shipping line has since extended the program to Vancouver, Hong Kong, New York and New Jersey. Most recently in April, it became the first carrier to voluntarily switch to cleaner burning, low -sulphur gas oil when calling at the Port of Singapore.
