CMA CGM launches the first low-carbon shipping offer by choosing biomethane

LONDON : With biomethane, a non-fossil energy, CMA CGM provides customers with a new and immediately available solution, bringing the Group a step closer toward carbon neutrality.
12,000 tonnes of biomethane, the equivalent of two 1,400-TEU LNG-powered ships on an intra-European service for a whole year.
An unmatched CMA CGM Group offering helping its customers reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 67% (well to wake).

Ahead of the UN Global Compact and as part of the first high-level preparatory talks for the COP26 summit, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, has put forward solutions that are immediately available and that contribute to achieving the Group’s objective of being carbon-neutral by 2050.

Biomethane, a non-fossil energy and a step closer to carbon-neutral shipping

The CMA CGM Group has reached another milestone in its efforts to be carbon-neutral by 2050, by supporting the production of 12,000 tonnes of biomethane (equivalent to a year’s fuel consumption of two 1,400-TEU ships). Biomethane is a renewable green gas produced in part by the methanation of European-sourced organic and plant waste. This energy source represents a fine example of how the circular economy can work while benefiting the agricultural sector. CMA CGM intends to push ahead with the development of this energy source by investing in biomethane production facilities and studying the viability of liquefaction processes so that biomethane can be rolled out as a shipping fuel.

By supporting biomethane production, CMA CGM is accelerating its commitment to leading the energy transition in the shipping sector. The Group cut its overall CO2 emissions by 4% in 2020, following a 6% reduction in 2019. Since 2008, the Group has lowered its CO2 emissions per container-kilometer by 49%.

Biomethane powering the equivalent of a shipping line

12,000 tonnes of guarantee-of-origin (GO) biomethane is enough to fuel the equivalent of two 1,400-TEU LNG-powered ships operating on the Northern European Balt3 line between St Petersburg and Rotterdam for a whole year.

Guarantee-of-Origin Biomethane, coupled with CMA CGM’s dual-fuel gas-power technology, can reduce well-to-wake (entire value chain) greenhouse gas emissions (including CO2) by at least 67%. On a tank-to-wake basis (at ship level), the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions reaches 88% (including CO2).

Source : CMA CGM