Coastal Bulk Shipping has added the MV Rangitata to its fleet, shipping Ravensdown product on its maiden voyage from Napier to Dunedin.
The trip by ship reduced CO2 emissions by about 39t when compared to moving the same volume of product by road.
The boat is the newest vessel for Coastal Bulk Shipping, one of four preferred suppliers in a $30-million government investment for coastal shipping funding through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to improve domestic shipping services, reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and upgrade maritime infrastructure.
Ravensdown sustainability manager Allanah Kidd said coastal shipping is forming a key part of Ravensdown’s national emission reduction strategy.
“We are endeavouring to supplement road with coastal shipping, where the opportunity arises, to reduce our impact on climate change. It’s a more efficient way to move product, takes trucks off the road and reduces congestion.”
For its first journey, MV Rangitata took phosphate rock from Napier to Dunedin, then 2000t of superphosphate from Dunedin to New Plymouth.
Beyond this maiden voyage, Ravensdown will look to engage the vessel as required to move cargo into smaller ports, namely Whangārei, Whanganui, Gisborne and Nelson.
Ravensdown has used Coastal Bulk Shipping for many years. This is the first journey on their new vessel, which has a greater payload so offers additional benefits. The new ship can carry 2000t of superphosphate, compared to the company’s smaller 800t vessel, Anatoki.
