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Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has announced its participation in the Fair Winds Charter, a voluntary shipping industry initiative which has been facilitated by the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association, Hong Kong Shipowners Association, and Civic Exchange (a Hong Kong-based independent think tank).

OOCL vessels will switch to 0.5% or less sulphur fuel in the auxiliary engines of its vessels while at berth in Hong Kong from 1 January 2011 until 31 December 2012.

“As a Hong Kong-based container shipping company, we believe this voluntary initiative conveys our absolute dedication and commitment to cleaning up the air in Hong Kong,” said OOCL Director of Corporate Planning, Stephen Ng.

“OOCL is a responsible corporate citizen and with some 1000 vessel calls in Hong Kong every year, we estimate this action will lower harmful sulphur emissions by more than 80%. We believe our customers can take advantage of our environmentally-friendly services as a way of meeting their sustainable supply chain commitments,” added Ng.

This voluntary initiative is the latest in a number of environmental achievements for OOCL in 2010. OOCL’s parent company Orient Overseas (International) Ltd was admitted as a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index in July 2010, and OOCL launched its Carbon Calculator in April 2010. OOCL also received the Environment Protection Award at the Seatrade China awards in October 2010.

OOCL also participates in various voluntary initiatives in North America, including 100% full compliance with the Port of Long Beach Green Flag Voluntary Speed Reduction Programme, and 100% compliance with the Port of Los Angeles Vessel Speed Reduction programme. Since 2008, OOCL also voluntarily slow steams and avoids the migration paths of the North Atlantic Right Whales.

For more details on OOCL’s environmental initiatives, please visit http://www.oocl.com/eng/aboutoocl/Environmentalcare/