WINSTON Watson, general manager of government-run oil refinery Petrojam, says all is in place for the June 24 roll-out of ultra-low sulphur (ULS) diesel fuel.

“We will meet the deadline,” said Watson.

According to the general manager, an American supplier has been identified.

“It’s a reputable company that deals in the supply of petroleum products on the international market,” Watson told Auto.

The fuel is not available from regular suppliers in Trinidad and Tobago or Venezuela.

The ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel to be distributed will be 15 parts per million (ppm) as opposed to the high 5,000 ppm currently available on the market.

Players in Jamaica’s newand used-car sector see the move as a step in the right direction as the ULS diesel fuel is more compatible with vehicles than the one available locally and it is cleaner for the environment.

“We have been asking for this for a long time and we’re happy it is coming into fruition,” said Kent LaCroix, chairman of the new-car umbrella group, Automobile Dealers Association.

LaCroix’s used-car counterpart Lynvalle Hamilton expressed similar sentiments.

“This is something we welcome and is a great benefit to the industry,” he said.

In February, Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, made the announcement that the new fuel would be available locally by June 23.

According to the minister, the fuel — which would reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle exhausts on the environment — would be introduced at two Petcom stations: Dunrobin in St Andrew and Portmore Parkway in St Catherine.

Petrojam, acquired by the government of Jamaica in 1982, is partly owned by PDV Caribe, a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela.