Mahindra & Mahindra finally obtained crucial U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier-2, Bin-5 emissions certification for its diesel light truck for the U.S. market for 2011 model year.

Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) and Volkswagen inked a partnership deal this month to develop and supply low-emissions marine diesel engines.

GE Transportation officials and Pennsylvania-based DonJon Shipbuilding and Repair are teaming-up on a proposal to win a US$24 million grant to demonstration a low-emissions diesel-electric hybrid tugboat.

Colorado-based VanDyne SuperTurbo officials announced August 16 that they’ve signed a contract with Cummins to develop more fuel-efficient Class 8 heavy diesel trucks using VanDyne SuperTurbochargers.

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) last week released a report showing the status of various legislative schemes that would desulfurize heating oil (gasoil) to levels approaching or equaling the 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur limit for most U.S. diesel fuel.

China Clean Energy (CCE) officials announced August 16 that second-quarter 2010 net earnings were US$1.9 million, compared to a net loss of $0.1 million for second quarter 2009. But fellow China biodiesel producer Gushan Environmental posted a loss in the latest quarter, thanks mostly to consumption tax issues.

Thailand’s Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department (AEDED) last week announced that the country aims to develop bio-jet-fuel by 2012 to keep-up with European targets for lower-emissions aviation.

European Investment Bank officials announced August 16 that they’ve decided to loan US$450 million to Egyptian Refinery Company as part of the $3.7 billion required for building a 4 million tons/year refinery in the greater Cairo area.

The Karnataka Government is seeking approval from India’s Environment Ministry for an ethanol-diesel blend to be used by state Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, according to a report from The Mangalorean (India).

Hungary-based MOL officials announced August 17 that the company posted a second-quarter 2010 loss of US$191 million, compared to a net profit of US$823 million in 1Q 2009.

Reliance officials announced earlier this month that they would restart retail diesel fuel sales in India if the government fulfills its promise to deregulate diesel fuel prices.

Luxembourg-based Alternative Petroleum Technologies (APT) officials announced this month that they have fulfilled a portion of an agreement with the Port of Los Angeles by concluding a third-party emission evaluation of its emulsified biodiesel fuel.

The island of Guam (a U.S. territory) has approved legislation mandating ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel starting January 2011, according to a report last week from Pacific News Center (Guam).

Haldor Topsøe officials this month announced that they’ve signed two contracts with YPF Argentina for the production of hydrogen and ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) at YPF’s Lujan de Cuyo Refinery in Mendoza Province.

Ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) prices in major world spot and futures markets late last week mostly rose slightly compared to the prior week, but price hikes weren’t universal in all distillate markets.

ULSD spot and futures prices were mostly up last week.