SHIPPPING line CMA CGM Group and renewable energy solutions company Engie, have committed to working together to advance the energy transition by championing the industrial-scale production and distribution of synthetic methane and BioLNG.
An initial project to produce liquefied biomethane (BioLNG) for shipping has already been launched by both groups at the Port of Marseille, in partnership with Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence and TotalEnergies.
Biomethane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 67% compared to VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil) on a well-to-wake basis (entire value chain). Synthetic methane, meanwhile, will eliminate the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions, according to CMA CGM.
ENGIE is leading synthetic methane production industrial projects in which CMA CGM will have the possibility to invest, including by means of multi-year purchase commitments. These projects will harness various technologies, such as pyro-gasification or methanation using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.
In order to ensure the durability of the industry, the partnership between CMA CGM and Engie will facilitate the sharing of both groups’ knowledge and research and development work, most notably in key technologies such as carbon capture and green hydrogen production.
The partnership also covers the analysis of future regulations, as well as efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of BioLNG and synthetic methane for the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.
The CMA CGM Group currently accounts for 20 “e-methane ready” vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines and running on LNG and will have 44 “e-methane” vessels by year-end 2024.
This has helped to cut the CMA CGM Group’s overall carbon emissions by 4% in 2020, following on from a 6% reduction in 2019. The group has lowered its carbon emissions per container-kilometre by 49% since 2008.
