(Yicai Global) Jan. 24 -- A unit of China  Petroleum & Chemical, a state-owned crude oil giant, has become the  first Chinese firm to produce low sulphur fuel oil for ships. The  combustible poses smaller impact on the environment than traditional  marine fuels. 

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has  shipped its first batch of low sulphur fuel oil for vessels on  international routes to use, state-backed China News Agency reported  yesterday. 

The International Maritime Organization  has stipulated that global ships must use marine fuel with a sulfur  content no more than 0.5 percent by January 1, 2020, which is much lower  than the current maximum of 3.5 percent.

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical is ready  to promote the new product rapidly with the full advantage of Sinopec's  industrial chain, the report added. 

Editor: Emmi Laine