NZ KIWIFRUIT exporter Zespri and conventional reefer vessel specialist Fresh Carriers Co have completed the first ever biofuel kiwifruit charter, powered by a low-emissions fuel.
The FCC vessel Kowhai arrived at Nangang Port in Shanghai last week carrying Zespri’s first charter shipment for the Greater China region for the 2025/26 season, after leaving Tauranga with 1.2 million trays or around 5,400 tonnes of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, as well as 16 containers of Zespri RubyRed.
Continuing the trial work Zespri and FCC are undertaking, following on from a technical performance trial undertaken last year, on its journey north Kowhai was powered by a blend of biofuel made from used cooking oil. With biofuel not available in NZ, the vessel bunkered the biofuel in Hong Kong before sailing south.
Along with FCC, the successful biofuel charter was made possible with support from PFS Cold Chain Logistics Co Ltd (PFS), and VX Cold Chain Logistics, Zespri’s logistics partners in China.
“Shipping has the largest carbon impact across our supply chain, making up more than 40% of Zespri’s emissions for fruit sold globally. With Zespri delivering fruit to more than 50 markets around the world each year, we’re focused on efficiency measures as well as collaborating with shipping partners such as FCC to trial low-emissions solutions. This will help us reduce our carbon impact per tray of fruit,” Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake said.
FCC’s President and COO Toshiyuki Koga said: “FCC is committed to reducing emissions in order to assist Zespri meet their carbon reduction ambitions and make progress towards our own International Maritime Organisation-aligned goals.
“This is being achieved by the building of new ships, dedicated to the NZ kiwifruit trade. These ships incorporate the latest engine technology, which provides significant fuel savings and are able to run on biofuel to further reduce carbon emissions.”
