Maersk containers on ship

Global shipping giant Maersk Line has announced that it has officially started using low-sulphur fuel in the engines of vessels while they are at berth in Hong Kong, thereby beginning the first voluntary fuel switch scheme in Asia.

According to the group, switching from bunker fuel to the low-sulphur alternative will reduce Maersk Line's emissions of sulphur oxides and particles by at least 80 per cent, coming in at a cost of some US$1m per year to the shipper.

'By switching from bunker to cleaner fuel at berth, we significantly reduce emissions of sulphur to the air,' said Tim Smith, chief executive of Maersk Line's north Asia region.

The move to switch fuel was made after successful experiences in California and Houston in the US, and will impact on around 850 Maersk Line port calls at Hong Kong each year.

'We share the ambitions of the local government and Civic Exchange in Hong Kong and would like to contribute to a better air quality,' Mr Smith explained. 'We hope this voluntary initiative will show the way forward for future legislation.'

For Maersk Line vessels calling in Hong Kong, the actual order to switch fuel types took effect on 5 September.

'By engaging in voluntary fuel switches in Hong Kong and elsewhere, we want to demonstrate that it is a way to quickly reduce sulphur emissions without any technical difficulties,' said Maersk Line COO Morten Engelstoft. 'We support strict sulphur regulation and we hope that our fuel switches will inspire authorities to raise the regulatory bar on SOx (sulphur oxides).

'Shipping is very efficient in terms of cutting CO2 emissions compared with other means of transportation,' he added. 'But shipping's SOx emissions need to be dealt with.'

Meanwhile, Mr Smith has noted that the international shipping industry may be required to cut box cargo capacity from the fourth quarter of 2010 as demand growth slows at key US and European retailers.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Mr Smith said that Maersk Line needed to be 'careful' around the post-Chinese New Year period later in the year, and added that this may be the time to 'take some capacity out'.