CMA CGM to develop zero-emission barge for Vietnam operations

French shipping colossal CMA CGM is set to build a new zero-emission inland waterway transport solution in Vietnam, featuring a 100% battery-powered electric barge and the necessary charging infrastructure that will drive its energy from a new solar farm at the deep-sea terminal of Gemalink.

According to CMA CGM, the vessel—set to enter service in 2026—will transport goods on a 180 km round trip between Binh Duong province, an industrial hub north of Ho Chi Minh City, and Cai Mep Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

As explained, the e-barge—co-designed by CMA CGM’s New Build and R&D teams in partnership with CATL for the battery technology—will be recharged using 100% certified renewable electricity and is set to transport over 50,000 TEUs annually. The solar farm that will recharge it, the company highlighted, will produce 1 GWH of green electricity on a yearly basis.

As a result, the e-barge is expected to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction of 778 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.

What is more, the French major revealed that this latest endeavor is being done in partnership with global business titan NIKE, the products of which the electric barge will transport from Binh Duong to Gemalink, considered ‘the biggest’ deep-sea port in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water complex. 

CMA CGM has shared that teaming up with NIKE could also help the company support maritime decarbonization efforts as well as take another step toward its own net zero carbon by 2050 goal.

In addition to this, CMA CGM also believes that its efforts in Vietnam, where it has been present since 1989, and Southeast Asia could ‘positively contribute’ to local economic development with ‘greener’ supply chains.

“It has been a great achievement to design and promote this project with NIKE’s partnership for commitment of usage in Vietnam waterways but can be replicated easily in other geographies and with other major customers. We are looking forward to duplicating and adapting this innovative solution with other cargo owners wishing to find solutions towards more sustainable transport modes,” Christine Cabau-Woehrel, Executive Vice-President Assets and Operations at CMA CGM, commented.

This new development from CMA CGM comes days after the French business cut the ribbon for a new, environmentally friendly container terminal at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port.

As explained, the AED 3.1 billion ($845 million) terminal is managed by a joint venture between the CMA CGM Group’s subsidiary CMA Terminals (70%) and Abu Dhabi Ports (30%).