02 January 2017, Maputo — The Mozambican government guaranteed that all is ready to switch to low sulphur diesel as from next June.
Currently the sulphur content of the diesel Mozambique imports is 500 parts per million (ppm). This is to be replaced by diesel with only 50 ppm of sulphur.
Addressing a Maputo press conference, Moises Paulino, the national director of hydrocarbons and fuel in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, said the purpose of the change was to reduce pollution, and improve environmental conditions.
The government wanted to modernise, said Paulino, and was also aware that many refineries are simply no longer producing diesel with 500 ppm sulphur.
The advantage of switching to low sulphur diesel, he added, would be felt not only in terms of a cleaner environment but also in greater efficiency of vehicle engines.
Engine performance improves, because 50 ppm diesel has cleaner and more effective combustion properties than 500 ppm diesel. Also the low sulphur diesel causes less wear and tear and therefore prolongs engine life.