---

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-sulphur 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 is said to have eliminated more than 87 tonnes of sulphur dioxide emissions. The low-sulphur fuel reduces sulphur 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 is said to save 250 tonnes of fuel daily.

The Budapest Express is deployed in Hapag Lloyd's NWX service, which calls at Seattle's Terminal 18, operated by SSA Terminals. The NWX service connects Seattle to Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan, Tokyo, Nagoya and Kobe.

The Port of Seattle welcomed the Budapest Express with an onboard celebration and presentation of a plaque commemorating the ship's maiden voyage and first call in Seattle, as well as a presentation of the Green Gateway flag, signifying the vessel's participation in the ABC Fuels program. Captain Andreas Koppel hosted an on-board lunch.