CMA CGM has signed the shipbuilding order for 22 new vessels – over half to run on LNG with CSSC Group. It includes six LNG-powered container ships with a capacity of 13,000 TEU, six LNG-powered container ships with a capacity of 15,000 TEU and 10 very low sulphur fuel oil-powered container ships with a capacity of 5,500 TEU.
A statement from CMA CGM said “This order aims at accommodating market growth. These vessels are expected to join the Group’s fleet between 2023 and 2024.”
The French container ship giant has a strong commitment to LNG and by the end of 2022, it will have taken delivery of 32 LNG-fuelled container ships in its fleet.
CMA CGM said using LNG enables a reduction of 99% in SOx, 91% in particulate matter emissions and 92% in NOx emissions, far surpassing the requirements of current regulations.
CMA CGM is also looking at other alternative fuels. It is supporting the production of 12,000 tonnes of biomethane, equivalent to a year’s fuel consumption of two 1,400-TEU ships. CMA CGM said its guarantee-of-origin biomethane, coupled with its dual-fuel gas-power technology, can reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including CO2, by at least 67%. On a tank-to-wake basis, the reduction in GHG emissions reaches 88%.
