CMA CGM is teaming up with Singapore’s maritime regulator to collaborate on the development of capabilities and solutions across maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation and innovation.
The initiative with the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) will see the French liner giant explore the use of zero and low-carbon marine fuels such as e-methanol, e-methane and biofuels for commercial shipping.
Research on technologies such as carbon capture solutions is another objective of the tie-up which was formally announced on Friday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) earlier in the week.
CMA CGM said it will flag three of its 10 recently ordered LNG dual-fuel containerships, which will also be e-methane ready, in Singapore.
The CMA CGM Group’s e-methane-ready fleet currently counts 29 vessels in service and will have a total of 77 by 2026.
“Such efforts to position the Singapore Registry of Ships for a low-carbon future reaffirm Singapore’s commitment towards decarbonisation of the maritime industry,” the MPA said.
CMA CGM and the MPA also plans to explore various collaboration opportunities for greater digitalisation under the MOU.
These will include maritime cybersecurity and just-in-time shipping, achieved through data exchanges for port and cargo documentation and reporting.
CMA CGM and the MPA said they will also explore establishing and investing in Singapore-based incubators and accelerators to grow Singapore-based marine tech start-ups.
Under the MOU, CMA CGM will also strengthen existing collaborations with the MPA in attracting talent through maritime scholarships such as Singapore’s Tripartite Maritime Scholarship.
“The CMA CGM Group and MPA will cooperate on new industry-wide initiatives to attract and empower the Singapore-based maritime workforce, tapping on the MPA Maritime Cluster Fund,” the MPA said.
CMA CGM currently employs some 880 maritime staff in Singapore out of its global workforce of 150,000 employees.
The Lion City is home to the liner company’s Asia-Pacific regional office, ship management entity and fleet centre.
CMA CGM chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saade said decarbonisation, digitalisation, and innovation are strategic priorities for the company and the entire shipping industry.
“Given Singapore’s key position in our global network, I am very pleased to sign this partnership with the Maritime and Port Authority,” he said.
“It will allow us to address the challenges ahead and strengthen our existing strong ties with Singapore, its industries and its digital ecosystem while reflecting our attachment to this country”.
Chief executive Quah Ley Hoon said the MPA was “happy to collaborate with a like-minded partner” like CMA CGM who shares its ambitions to make international shipping more sustainable and resilient.
