NEW ZEALAND - Shipping plays a critical part in New Zealand’s export-driven economy, carrying 99 percent of the country’s trade by volume and around 80 percent by value. As Zespri and shipping partner ANL/CMA CGM drive toward low-emissions international shipping, the companies launch a feasibility study into setting up a low-emissions shipping corridor between Tauranga and Zeebrugge in Belgium via the Panama Canal.

“Low-emissions shipping is a critical part of carbon reduction for exporters and also underpins our collective ability to achieve the government’s goal of doubling export value over the next 10 years,” said Rachel Depree, Zespri's Executive Officer of Sustainability. “Collectively we are already facing rising costs as carbon is priced into the economy and our markets and customers are starting to demand targets and plans to lower emissions over time.”

The report outlines the complexity of decarbonizing shipping and what’s needed from all the players across the value chain from exporters to shipping companies, fuel companies, ports and governments, and confirms how varied and significant the change required is, a press release explained.

Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey hosted an event supporting the launch, and ANL & CMA CGM Oceania Managing Director Shane Walden outlined the efforts of the CMA CGM Group in decarbonizing transport and logistics.

“The CMA CGM Group is a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, and places the preservation of the environment at the heart of its strategy, with a commitment to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050 across all its activities,” said Walden. “In shipping, CMA CGM is focused on reducing energy consumption as well as using sustainable low-carbon energies where possible in order to accelerate the energy transition of the sector, including that of key customers such as Zespri.”

Here is a breakdown of findings from the report:

• European ports are already making large investments to accept alternative fuel ships
• Collaboration with other New Zealand exporters and across the supply chain is critical to show demand, reduce cost, and speed up investment
• Governments have an important part to play, with new policies and regulations needed to transition fuels and infrastructure, including supporting health and safety regulations
• Fuel storage requirements for low-emissions fuels will create new challenges, with lower-emissions fuels being less energy-dense and requiring a lot more space

“While kiwifruit is a low-carbon product, shipping emissions make up a larger portion of the product’s overall carbon footprint at 43 percent—and that’s why action is a priority,” added Depree. “Like many exporters, Zespri can’t directly reduce shipping emissions ourselves so we’re working with our shipping and distribution partners to improve efficiency and find opportunities to pilot low-emissions fuels solutions as we work towards our ambition of being carbon positive by 2035.”

To read the full release, click here.

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