CMA CGM has signed a deal with biomethane producer SUEZ to supply renewable fuel for the liner operator following an $18bn investment in new tonnage.
The two French companies have agreed a long-term partnership that will lead to the production of up to 100,000 tonnes of biomethane per year by 2030.
It would be used to partly power the French carrier’s growing fleet of LNG-powered vessels.
The partnership will be helped by the creation of a joint investment structure with an initial funding of €100m ($108m) to develop biomethane production facilities, initially in Europe.
The project, agreed under a memorandum of understanding signed on 18 October, will focus on biomethane, a renewable fuel produced through waste recovery.
Joint research and development initiatives will also be undertaken to produce biofuels, in particular via a hydrothermal gasification process.
More than 130 vessels
CMA CGM claims to have invested $18bn in orders for 131 vessels capable of using low-carbon energies, including biomethane, biomethanol and synthetic fuels.
These will be operational by 2028 and form part of efforts to hit its 2050 net zero carbon goal.
Chief executive Rodolphe Saade said: “The strategic partnership between CMA CGM and SUEZ, one of France’s leading players in the energy transition, marks a major step forward.
“It will enable us to support the biomethane sector dedicated to the shipping industry, while accelerating the decarbonisation of CMA CGM Group and guaranteeing our carbon neutrality trajectory by 2050.
“This project also strengthens our energy independence, a key asset for the sovereignty of France and Europe.”
CMA CGM is also working alongside energy providers to develop production facilities and supply chains for these fuels.
SUEZ, a Paris-based utility firm specialised in circular waste management, converts 5m tonnes of waste into energy every year.
SUEZ chief executive Sabrina Soussan described the partnership as “a further illustration of SUEZ’s ambition to turn waste into new resources for the energy transition of the transport sector”.
“Together, we are going to develop circular solutions that will contribute to the decarbonisation of this strategic sector in Europe,” she added.
