NEW ZEALAND - Innovation is a cornerstone of this industry, which is why supply chain operators continue to test new trials. Zespri is one of the latest to do so, announcing the successful completion of a trial using biofuel in a charter vessel operating between Hong Kong and New Zealand via FCC.
“Shipping plays a critical role in New Zealand’s export-driven economy, carrying 99 percent of New Zealand’s trade by volume and around 80 percent by value. Globally, the sector is responsible for around 80 percent of worldwide trade volumes and 70 percent of worldwide trade value,” Zespri Chief Operating Officer Jason Te Brake says.
The vessel Kakariki bunkered the biofuel in Hong Kong at the end of last month before starting its voyage south, recently arriving at the Port of Tauranga. The vessel was powered by a blend of biofuel which is made from used cooking oil. If and when biofuel becomes available in New Zealand, it will present more opportunities for Zespri’s chartered ships to burn this low-emission fuel.
“Every year we ship our Zespri Kiwifruit to consumers in more than 50 markets around the world. International shipping accounts for around 43 percent of Zespri’s emissions footprint for fruit sold globally—this makes up a larger part of our emissions compared to other primary sector exporters given the low-emissions nature of our product,” Te Brake continued. “Last year, the industry used 57 charter vessel sailings during the season, plus another 13,300 containers, shipping over 619,200 tonnes of New Zealand kiwifruit to our markets.”
In a press release, FCC Director Toshiyuki Koga said FCC is proud to see the Kakariki, which is the company’s first vessel to trial biofuel, arrive safely in Tauranga.
“We have been in discussions with Zespri for a number of months about carrying out this trial and are now looking forward to further biofuel trials using other FCC vessels. We are also considering a northbound trial taking Zespri Kiwifruit to market this season,” Koga commented. “Biofuel supply chains are complex and there is still work to be done to ensure stable supply, however this trial is a first step towards decarbonization with Zespri.”
For more from the press release, click here.
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