ANL Container Line is celebrating another step in the journey to net carbon zero by 2050 with the arrival in Melbourne this morning [18 March] of the 8048 TEU newbuilding CMA CGM Baalbeck.
The dual-fuel LNG powered ship, which is also compatible with low carbon energies such as biomethane and e-methane, berthed at Patrick’s East Swanson Dock terminal as its local first call on the weekly AAX-S service from South East Asia to Australia, linking Port Klang and Singapore with Melbourne, Port Botany, Port Adelaide and Fremantle.
CMA CGM Baalbeck is the fourth in a series of nine ‘Hyundai 8000 LNG’-type, two-island ships ordered by the CMA CGM Group in 2022 for a reported USD 119 million each and was complete last month. The first three deliveries have high reefer capacity of 1380 TEU but vessels four to nine have 800 plugs, according to Alphaliner. The 272.20 x 42.80 (17 rows wide) ships have a speed of 21 knots.
This milestone is the second first for container shipping and ANL in the Oceania region following ANL’s biofuel powered voyage in 2022. The biofuel trial was conducted in partnership with Woolworths Group and supported by Queensland Government through the Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.
To achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, the CMA CGM Group has invested nearly USD 20 billion to order LNG and methanol-powered ships and will have 153 ships capable of using low-carbon energies (biogas, biomethanol and synthetic fuels) in its fleet by 2029.
As shipping carries over 90% of global trade and accounts for approximately 3% of global GHG emissions, it remains one of the most carbon-efficient modes of transport, the Group notes. However, reducing the industry’s emissions remains a key priority in global decarbonisation efforts: LNG is an industrial-scale solution readily available today.
Compared to standard bunker fuel, it reduces sulphur dioxide emissions by 99%, fine particulate matter by 91%, and nitrogen dioxide emissions by 92%, surpassing both international and local regulatory standards. LNG vessels are also biomethane and e-methane ready due to the chemical similarity of the fuels, presenting a pathway to renewable low carbon energy.
ANL MD Shane Walden said: “This is another proud step for ANL and the CMA CGM Group in Australia and the broader Oceania region and further underscores our commitment to net zero carbon by 2050. The use of LNG on this vessel allows a significant improvement in air quality when compared to a conventional vessel of the same size.
“What’s more, an LNG vessel like CMA CGM Baalbeck clears a pathway for other renewable low carbon energy sources such as biomethane to be used in the Oceania containerised shipping space.
“ANL has continued to connect Southeast Asia and Australia since the 1970s and has expanded this set of services to a string of three in AAX-S, AAX-E and AAX-W in line with our customers’ needs. These services carry essential cargo for Australian businesses and consumers as well as supporting key Australian export commodities including grains, paper products, meat and dairy. We are pleased to support our clients, and the environment with this new investment.”
* ANL Maritime and Transport representatives with the Vessel Master, Chief Engineer and Consul General of France
L to R: Tim Capes – Senior Line Manager; Nicholas Ellul, Executive General Manager, Maritime at Ports of Victoria; Clare Grandison, Senior Policy Advisor – Sustainability and Industry Transformation at Maritime Industry Australia Ltd; Chris Brewster – Terminal Manager at Patrick Terminals; Craig Faulkner – Executive General Manager, Operations at Port of Melbourne; Samantha Jaskiewicz – Assistant Director, International Policy at Department of Infrastructure & Transport; Andrew Jena – Chief Operations Officer; Kristen Richardson – Head of Communications & Sustainability; Romain Lecoq – Vessel Master; Paule Ignatio – Consul General of France In Australia; Clément Gautier – Chief Engineer; Vlad Jotic – Head of Project Development; Caryn Anderson – Executive General Manager Strategy & Planning at Port of Melbourne; Indika Dassanayake – Chief Commercial Officer; Sanjeet Yadav – Operations – ANL Line; Adam O’Keeffe – Director, Contracts at Patrick Terminals
