Container ships moving fresh produce around the globe create a third more greenhouse gas emissions than specialised reefer ships, a new study shows.
Studies on kiwi fruit imported from New Zealand showed factors such as port activities, refrigerant losses and transport of fruit from port meant container shipping produced 36% more GHGs than reefers, Lincoln University, Christchurch, said. Most produce transported across the world is shipped, with some airfreighted. Reefer services carry perishable cargo in specialised holds and head directly for their destination port, while container ships carry cargo in individually refrigerated units and make longer trips.
"The findings have implications for anyone in the fresh produce business who wants their environmental impact to be as small as possible," said Walter Wildöer of the 360 Quality Association of specialist reefer operators.
Studies on kiwi fruit imported from New Zealand showed factors such as port activities, refrigerant losses and transport of fruit from port meant container shipping produced 36% more GHGs than reefers, Lincoln University, Christchurch, said. Most produce transported across the world is shipped, with some airfreighted. Reefer services carry perishable cargo in specialised holds and head directly for their destination port, while container ships carry cargo in individually refrigerated units and make longer trips.
"The findings have implications for anyone in the fresh produce business who wants their environmental impact to be as small as possible," said Walter Wildöer of the 360 Quality Association of specialist reefer operators.
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