Budapest Express makes first call in Seattle, joins ABC Fuels program

SEATTLE—Hapag Lloyd’s Budapest Express made its first call at the Port of Seattle on Friday, April 2 and became the latest ship to participate in the Port’s At-Berth Clean Fuels program (ABC Fuels).

ABC Fuels is a partnership that includes some of the Port’s ocean carriers and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The program encourages carriers to burn low-sulfur fuels (0.5% sulfur or less) in their auxiliary engines while at berth in Seattle by providing an incentive of $2,250 for each call during which ships comply with the fuel requirements.

The ABC Fuels program began in 2009 and to-date has eliminated more than 87 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. The low-sulfur fuel reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by 80 percent and diesel particulate matter by 60 percent.

More than 60 vessels from nine carriers participate in the program. Participating carriers include Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson Navigation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line.

The Budapest Express was launched in 2009 and has a capacity of 8,800 container TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and a deadweight tonnage of 103,662. It was built at Hyundai Heavy Industry Shipyard in Korea.

The ship’s service speed is 22 knots but it is sailing at “eco speed, ” or 18.5 to 19 knots, which reduces air emissions and saves 250 tons of fuel daily.