Toxic fuel claims not true - Interislander

The Interisland ferry Kaitaki. Photo / Supplied

Cook Strait ferry company Interislander has rejected reports it uses sulphur-rich toxic fuel banned in many harbours around the world.

NZPA reported at the weekend National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) general manager of vessel operations Greg Foothead as saying the ferries emitted high levels of sulphur - a chemical linked to acid rain and possibly cancer.

Niwa today apologised for the comments, saying it had not researched ferry emissions.

"The comments attributed to Niwa's general manager of vessel operations are not the views of Niwa, and Niwa unreservedly apologises to the Interislander over any adverse implications."

Interislander today said its fuel was not high in sulphur and complied with international standards.

"Interislander is compliant with Marpol (an international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships) rules on sulphur content for fuel oil used on board ships," Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said.

"We could sail an Interislander ferry into many European ports - such those in the Mediterranean, and all of Africa, South America, Asia and Australia - our major trading partners. Indeed, Interislander sailed one ferry - Aratere - to Singapore in April."

Mr Davis said some international ports did have more "severe" regulations due to long-standing marine pollution issues.

Mr Foothead's comments had no scientific basis and were inaccurate and harmful, he said.

"(He) takes no account of the international shipping in Wellington harbour using heavy fuels now - some 260 container ships, the 95 logging ships, the 60 car-carrying ships, the 60 oil tankers, and the 60 cruise ships each year, let alone the other coastal shipping using Wellington."

State-owned Interislander is considering alternative fuels, including using unblended heavy fuel, biofuels and gas. Unblended heavy fuel is cheaper, but requires new facilities to be built.

"No decisions have been made, no tests of any alternative fuels have been carried out, and proper consideration of the options will be made, taking into account a wide range of factors," Mr Davis said.

- NZPA