China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co, the country's largest supplier of ship fuel, is to expand its provision of low-sulfur bunker to Yangshan port near Shanghai to satisfy increased demand, according to a company official.

China Marine Bunker may start selling bunker with 1 percent sulfur content at Yangshan next week, said the official, adding the company had just imported 8,000 metric tons of fuel oil from Singapore.

Demand for low-sulfur marine fuel in Asia is rising as air pollution standards are tightened for vessels traveling to North America.

Ships sailing in US and Canadian waters are required to use bunker with a maximum sulfur content of 1 percent starting this month under rules set by the North American Emission Control Area. Vessels outside the controlled areas typically use a maximum sulfur content of 3.5 percent.

The country's only low-sulfur bunker provider started offering the fuel at Tianjin port in July after it bought 8,000 tons from Russia.

China Daily - Agencies