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ABC Fuels Program 

The use of low-sulfur fuel (less than 0.5% sulfur) by partner vessels in port reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by an estimated 80%.
 
The At-Berth Clean (ABC) Fuels Program encourages voluntary reduction of vessel emissions in our harbor by incentivizing use of low sulfur fuels above and beyond ECA requirements.

Since 2009, participants have received over $2.6 Million in incentives from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Emissions Inventory verifies the success of the program, which has eliminated more than 39% of sulfur dioxide emissions and 34% of diesel particulate matter in the harbor.

ABC Fuels implemented the ocean going vessel goals of the 2007 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, whose goal is to improve air quality for the region. The Port of Seattle provides tiered incentives that average $2,250 to use low-sulfur fuel in vessels’ auxiliary engines for each call. This program has seen a steady increase in participants since it began.

The low-sulfur fuel (less than 0.1% sulfur) is estimated to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 64 percent from ECA levels.

Partnerships

The success of the ABC Fuels program is based upon a voluntary partnership that includes some of the Port’s cargo and cruise lines and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Since the program’s inception over 1275 participating vessel visits have been recorded from 12 carrier lines.

documents

ABC Fuel Updates

Enrollment Form
Reporting Form
Incentive Payouts and Tiers
Participating carriers  included:
  • Hapag Lloyd
  • APL
  • China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO)
  • Evergreen Line
  • Hamburg Süd
  • Maersk Line
  • Matson Navigation
  • OOCL 
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruises
 

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ABC Forms
2012 ABC Fuels Enrollment Form
2012 ABC Fuels Reporting Form
ABC Fuels Summary 2012
Incentives per Tier 
A tiered, per-call cost sharing for the differential between IFO bunker fuel and lower sulfur fuels (MGO or MDO, not to exceed 0.5% sulfur) in auxiliary engines and boilers.

 

Tier

 Metric Tons (MT) <.5% sulfur fuel burned at berth 2012 Incentive
I 1MT – 9.99 MT $1200
II 10 MT – 19.99 MT $2250
III 20 MT + $2850
Vessel Eligibility 
Criteria:
To be eligible lines must meet all of the following:
  • Use MGO or MDO of 0.5% sulfur or less in auxiliary engines while in port
  • Maintain compliance with relevant federal, state, and local air quality requirements with no unresolved compliance issues during the ABC Program period.
  • Meet the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy recordkeeping, reporting and inspection requirements, as developed by the Port with comments from stakeholders
  • Complete and sign the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Enrollment Form
Reporting and Verification
  • For each port call, the lines will submit the type, quantity, and sulfur content of the fuel burned in the auxiliary engines while in port; times the vessel arrived and departed; the fuel switch times and other details as needed.
  • The Port will conduct periodic audits of participating lines to assure public benefits in return from the investment of public funds.
  • Participating lines will make bunker notes and engine logs available for inspection at audit inspections.
  • The Port will provide annual program updates to the Commission and stakeholders.
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