Low sulphur diesel on sale next week

Enemalta will next week start to distribute low sulphur diesel.

The first shipment of the European EN 590 diesel is expected to arrive in Malta on the MT Maria Jakobsen later this week and will then be available from fuel stations.

The new fuel, which may be identified by its light yellow hue, will have a maximum sulphur content of 0.035 per cent or 35 parts per million, as opposed to the 0.055 per cent (55 ppm) of the current type of diesel, which is dyed blue.

The new diesel is expected to further reduce vehicle emissions, thus improving air quality. In addition, it will be more economical than the current type of diesel due to its higher density.

The new fuel will also allow the latest generation diesel engines to be imported, which was not possible with the present supply because of its sulphur content.

In September 2000, Enemalta had started to import diesel whose sulphur content was reduced from 0.5 per cent to 0.2 per cent, and in February 2001 this was reduced further to 0.055 per cent.

The latest reduction represents a total reduction in sulphur of 93 per cent since September 2000.