Zespri and shipping partner ANL/CMA CGM drive towards low-emissions international shipping.
Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey hosted an event to support the launch of a feasibility study into setting up a low-emissions shipping corridor via the Panama Canal between Tauranga and Zeebrugge in Belgium.
Zespri and one of its key shipping partners, ANL/CMA CGM, commissioned the study.
Zespri Executive Officer Sustainability Rachel Depree said that shipping was critical in New Zealand’s export-driven economy, carrying 99 percent of the country’s trade by volume and around 80 percent by value.
“Low-emissions shipping is a critical part of carbon reduction for exporters and underpins our collective ability to achieve the government’s goal of doubling export value over the next ten years,” said Depree.
“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.”
She added that shipping emissions were one of the critical challenges to decarbonising the kiwifruit industry and meeting Zespri’s climate commitments. While kiwifruit is a low-carbon product, shipping emissions comprised a more significant portion of its carbon footprint (43 percent).
Like many exporters, Zespri cannot directly reduce shipping emissions, so working with shipping and distribution partners helped improve efficiency and find opportunities to pilot low-emissions fuel solutions to be carbon-positive by 2035.
This included continuing to advocate for new port infrastructure and supporting the introduction of more low-emissions shipping vessels, fuels and technology.
“The problem is significant and the answer complex, but we know success here will require coordinated action across government and supply chains.”
ANL & CMA CGM Oceania Managing Director Shane Walden also outlined the CMA CGM Group's efforts to decarbonise 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 and using sustainable low-carbon energies where possible to accelerate the energy transition of the sector, including that of key customers such as Zespri. ”
He said that New Zealand was an important country for the CMA CGM Group due to its geographic advantage, which, with support, could allow New Zealand to play a role as a maritime energy hub for the South Pacific.
“We embarked upon this project with Zespri and EY as it is imperative that we jointly address climate challenges in the sector to support New Zealand’s maritime trade.”
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