CMA CGM and ENGIE set a strategic and industrial partnership to decarbonize shipping
The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, and ENGIE, global player in the field of renewables and energy solutions, have committed to working together to advance the energy transition by championing the industrial-scale production and distribution of synthetic methane and BioLNG, according to the company's release.
CMA CGM and ENGIE have decided to establish a long-term strategic and industrial cooperation focused on the production of decarbonized fuels. The cooperation has the ambition to support the development of a synthetic methane production and distribution industry that can be used by the shipping sector.
An initial project to produce liquefied biomethane (BioLNG) for shipping has already been launched by both groups at the Port of Marseille, in partnership with Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence and TotalEnergies.
ENGIE is leading further synthetic methane production industrial projects in which CMA CGM will have the possibility to invest, including by means of multi-year purchase commitments. These projects will harness various technologies, such as pyro-gasification or methanation using green hydrogen and captured CO2.
The CMA CGM Group and ENGIE are investing in research and development with their industrial partners in order to find the energy sources of the future to enable the decarbonization of the shipping sector.
In order to ensure the durability of the industry, the partnership between CMA CGM and ENGIE will facilitate the sharing of both groups’ knowledge and R&D work, most notably in key technologies such as carbon capture and green hydrogen production.
The partnership also covers the analysis of future regulations, as well as efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of BioLNG and synthetic methane for the decarbonization of the shipping industry.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) can reduce today sulfur oxide emissions by 99%, fine particle emissions by 91% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 92%. The CMA CGM Group currently accounts for 20 “e-methane ready” vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines and running on LNG and will have 44 “e-methane” vessels by year-end 2024.
This groundbreaking decision helped to cut the CMA CGM Group’s overall carbon emissions by 4% in 2020, following on from a 6% reduction in 2019. The Group has lowered its carbon emissions per container-kilometer by 49% since 2008.
The dual-fuel gas-power technology developed by CMA CGM and currently using LNG is already capable of using BioLNG and synthetic methane. In this context, CMA CGM and ENGIE are joining forces to champion the production and distribution industry. Biomethane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 67% compared to VLSFO (Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil) on a well-to-wake basis (entire value chain). Synthetic methane, meanwhile, will eliminate the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the CMA CGM Group and ENGIE have been working together for several months as part of the Coalition for the energy of the future launched in late 2019 at the Assises de l’Économie de la Mer conference by Rodolphe Saadé and supported by French President Emmanuel Macron. They continue to collaborate within the Coalition to drive the development of energy sources and technologies of the future, to support new models of sustainable mobility and reduce the shipping and logistics industry’s climate impact.
About CMA CGM
Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. Backed by a fleet of 542 vessels, in 2020 the Group transported nearly 21 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, which transports 400,000 tons of air freight and 2.8 million tons of land freight each year, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.
Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target of carbon neutrality by 2050. An approach involving ongoing improvement which brings concrete results, with a decrease of 4% in the total CO₂ emissions of the Group in 2020.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, every year the Group helps thousands of children through its actions to promote education for all and equal opportunity. The CMA CGM Foundation also acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.
Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, including 2,400 in Marseilles where its head office is located.
About ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Turnover in 2020: 55.8 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe, Euronext Vigeo Eiris - Eurozone 120/ Europe 120/ France 20, MSCI EMU ESG, MSCI Europe ESG, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG, and Stoxx Global 1800 ESG).
