WATCH: Mozambique reduces sulphur content of diesel

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WATCH: Mozambique reduces sulphur content of diesel

8:44 CAT | 03 Nov 2017

Miramar

As from Wednesday, Mozambique has been replacing, in all filling stations, diesel with 500 ppm (parts per million) of sulphur, with diesel that is only 50 ppm of sulphur.

Thus the 500 ppm diesel is being completely eliminated from the Mozambican market, since only diesel that is 50 ppm sulphur can be imported.

The change has been made for environmental reasons, according to a press release from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. Sulphur is regarded as pollutant, and thus diesel with a lower sulphur content is less damaging to the environment.

The benefits include reduced risks to human health, since the fuel burnt in diesel-powered vehicles and machines will be cleaner, and will emit less particulate matter.

The switch to 50 ppm diesel is among the recommendations made by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is urging African countries to market more sustainable and less harmful fuels.

Lower sulphur content not only means that fewer particles are issued into the atmosphere from vehicle exhaust tubes, but also that vehicle engines themselves should last longer, and maintenance costs will be lower.

With this step, the diesel sold at Mozambican filling stations will be the same as the diesel sold in neighbouring countries such as South Africa.