German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has joined the Shenzhen Port Green Convention, a programme to improve air quality by burning low sulphur fuel.

"Under the agreement, Hapag-Lloyd has voluntarily undertaken only to use fuel with a sulphur content of less than 0.5 per cent while its ships are docked at the terminal," said the company statement.

In doing so, Hapag-Lloyd is increasing its existing efforts to improve air quality in port cities.

Said chief operating officer Anthony Firmin: "By joining the Shenzhen Port Green Convention, Hapag-Lloyd has once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental and health protection on a voluntary basis that goes beyond national and international requirements."

Hapag-Lloyd has already participated in "At Berth Clean Fuels Programme" in Seattle, the "Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award" and the "Fair Winds Charter" in Hong Kong.

Hapag-Lloyd also burns fuel with an average sulphur content of only 2.1 per cent outside Emission Control Areas (ECA).

"This is significantly below the current limit of 3.5 per cent specified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). When they are inside ECAs, Hapag-Lloyd's ships only use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1 per cent, as required." said the company statement.