New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri said one of its international shipping partners, Fresh Carriers (FCC), has successfully completed a trial using biofuel in a vessel operating between Hong Kong and New Zealand.
The Kakariki was powered by a blend of biofuel made from used cooking oil (UCO). The vessel bunkered the fuel in Hong Kong at the end of last month and arrived at the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand over the weekend of 8-9 June, Zespri said.
"With Zespri having limited ability to directly reduce shipping emissions ourselves, we're working with key shipping and distribution partners like FCC to increase the efficiency of our shipping and logistics, and make the transition to low emissions fuels," the company's chief operating officer Jason Te Brake said.
"The biofuel trial with FCC is an important step forward and has given us both important technical insights, with the Kakariki monitored throughout its journey to make sure the biofuel performed well with no unforeseen technical issues."
