Fuel Efficient Fleet Helps APL to 45.5% Reduction in CO2 Emissions

APL says it reduced its CO2 emissions by 45.5 percent in 2015 compared to levels in 2009 - its highest such reduction within the six year period.

American President Lines Ltd (APL) Thursday announced that its fuel efficient fleet has helped it reduce its CO2 emissions by 45.5 percent in 2015 compared to levels in 2009 - its highest such reduction within the six year period.

"APL has steadily reduced its year-on-year carbon emissions and this demonstrates the company's unyielding focus on sustainable shipping," said Kenneth Glenn, President of APL, adding that the company "is dedicated to sound environmental stewardship and will persevere in our efforts to live out our commitments to protecting the environment."

Operational efficiency, fleet and voyage optimisation, and technical improvements were also all cited as having helped achieve the reduction.

Further, the company notes that data collection and analysis allows APL to maintain its fleet in a way that ensures optimal ship performance with minimal environmental impact.

"APL advocates the most carbon‐efficient means of moving cargo to markets in a global economy. As a member of the BSR Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG), APL collaborates with other stakeholders to oversee CCWG's approach in driving improvements in global goods transport, namely performance measurement and reporting, as well as promotion of environmentally responsible practices," explained the company.

APL notes that it received the Environmental Shipping Index award from France's Port of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris (HAROPA) for its efforts in reducing its air emissions beyond the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Last week, Canada's Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced that it has awarded 12 shipping and three cruise lines its Blue Circle Award for 2015, recognising the operators who had reduced their emissions through any one of a variety of ways - including through the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers, or scrubbers.