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The Port of Seattle Commission has authorized the port's annual budget and plan of finance, approving nearly US$500 million in capital projects including US$11.6 million in environmental projects.

Included in the 2011 environmental budget will be the investment of over $9 million in the Green Port Initiative, energy conservation, and emissions reduction programs across port facilities.

The approved budget means that Seattle will continue to invest in green initiatives in 2011, building on the environmental programs that it already has in place.

The port has already taken a leading role in the reduction of emissions from ships. Last year, the port devised the At-Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) Program, which encourages carriers to burn low-sulphur fuels (0.5% sulphur or less) in their auxiliary engines while at berth in Seattle by providing an incentive of $2,250 for each vessel call that complies with the fuel requirements.

Participating carriers in ABC Fuels include Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson Navigation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line.

ABC Fuels was set up to meet the goals of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a joint effort by the ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver (Canada) and their private sector partners to reduce maritime related air emissions. The Clean Air Strategy establishes specific goals and dates for reducing emissions from ships, cargo-handling equipment and trucks that move cargo to and from the ports.