“K” Line switches to sulphur fuel for Pacific Northwest calls
JAPANESE shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) says all the container vessels on its Pacific Northwest service, calling at Tacoma and Vancouver will use low sulphur fuel to run auxiliary machinery while the vessels are berthed at Pacific Northwest ports.
A company statement says: “All containerships in “K” Line’s NOWCO-A service will be shifting to distillate fuel with a target level of 0.5% sulphur or less. This distillate fuel will be used in the ships’ generators, which supply power to the ship while the ship is docked. The switch to distillate fuel will generate significant emission reduction of sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). Sulphur oxide emission is expected to be reduced by 80% and PM emission is expected to be reduced by 70%.
“The Puget Sound region is in compliance with federal air quality standards today,” said Port of Tacoma Executive Director Timothy J. Farrell. “As we continue to benefit from the growth of international trade, voluntary actions like “K” Line’s will ensure that our region continues to be a great place to work and a great place to live.”
