CMA CGM commits to biomethane production

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group: “We have crossed a new step with the launch of the first low-carbon shipping offer based on biomethane.”

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.

Biofuels — in particular Bio LNG — are widely seen as providing a path forward for shipping decarbonization by extending the LNG runway. One problem, though, is that they are not yet available in volume. The CMA CGM Group is doing something about that. Marking another milestone in its efforts to be carbon-neutral by 2050, CMA CGM is supporting the production of 12,000 tonnes of biomethane (equivalent to a year’s fuel consumption by two 1,400-TEU ships).

Biomethane is a renewable green gas produced in part by the methanation of European-sourced organic and plant waste. 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 continuing a commitment that has seen it 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%.

From May 2021, the CMA CGM customers will be able to select biomethane via the Act with CMA CGM+ range of services, paving the way for a substantial reduction in the environmental impact of the shipping of their goods.

ACT with CMA CGM+ provides a range of services that enable its customers to analyze, reduce and offset their environmental footprint.

“We have crossed a new step with the launch of the first low-carbon shipping offer based on biomethane,” commented Rodolphe Saadé. “We know that there is still a long way to go to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement. Achieving these goals do not rely on a single solution but on a set of initiatives and new technologies complimentary to each other.”