Not Only Container Lines and Road Haulage Operators Must React to Pollutant Crisis

WORLDWIDE – The drive to reduce pollutants from the supply chain needs input, not just from the bulk cargo and container shipping sectors and the road haulage industry, but from the big brand names which dominate the markets which they operate in. One such is Fyffes, a name synonymous with the humble banana, but actually one of the world's largest and oldest tropical produce importers and distributors for a range of products.

Now this brand leader has announced its support for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) incoming sulphur cap which will see the element content in all marine fuels cut to 0.5% from 1 January 2020. Responsible for the shipment of over 100 million boxes of bananas, pineapples and melons each year, Fyffes says it understands the environmental impact of its actions. For this reason, it is committed to collaborating with its supply partners to continue protecting the world’s natural resources by supporting and meeting the new regulation standards.

Through its support of programs such as Global GAP, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (Rainforest Alliance), the Carbon Trust Standard and increasingly stringent environmental legislation in production countries, Fyffes points out that it always seeks to minimise the impact of its activities upon the environment, particularly in its source countries. Jeronimo Poggio, Fyffes shipping director, explains:

“We strongly support the need for the IMO 2020 sulphur regulations because they are directly linked to our Sustainability Strategy and one of our four pillars, stewardship for the planet. The regulations will help reduce carbon emissions, as well as reduce acid rain, which can harm agricultural crops, including our fruit.

”Importantly, there is also a positive human impact by reducing illnesses and deaths caused by sulphur emissions impacting people living near ports. We are committed to providing the highest quality fruit at an affordable price for consumers, while ensuring that our business is a sustainable one; for our growers, the local communities, as well as the planet.”

The group effort to minimise its negative effects on the environment does not stop at shipping however. As part of the company’s drive towards improved sustainability, Fyffes has initiated its own series of projects aimed at measuring, managing and reducing its carbon footprint. One such project involves setting aside forested areas to promote carbon sinks. Fyffes manages a 43% conservation area that is part of the company’s owned banana and pineapple farms.

This conservation area is made up of important primary and secondary forested areas that absorb and capture carbon dioxide, thereby removing it from the atmosphere. In addition to this effort, Fyffes has also begun a baseline study to identify its carbon footprint along each component of the company’s supply chain, which will be complete by the end of 2019.