The CMA CGM Group has ordered seven new biogas-powered container ships to serve the French West Indies.
By using biogas for propulsion, CMA CGM aims to protect the air quality around the French West Indies while supporting a transition to cleaner forms of energy. Produced using biomass, biogas as a fuel has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 67% compared to traditionally used fuels. Sulfur oxide emissions are cut by 99%, in addition to particle emissions and nitrogen oxide emissions being reduced by 91% and 92% respectively. Each ship will be fitted with the company dual fuel gas engine technology, enabling the use of both biogas and synthetic methane.
At present, CMA CGM has 31 e-methane ready container ships with dual fuel engines in its fleet. The company is aiming to raise this to 77 vessels by 2026.
The seven new container ships will be delivered incrementally starting in 2024 and will consist of four 7,300 TEU vessels and three 7,900 TEU vessels. Upon entering service, the vessels will replace two smaller ships and will serve routes between the French West Indies, France and Europe to increase services to the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.
To cope with the larger capacity vessels, CMA CGM has announced it will update and increase the capacity of the largest shipping ports in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
