CMA CGM is deploying six LNG-powered containerships of 15,000 TEU as part of the company’s efforts to improve air quality and drive the energy transition in the shipping industry.
Speaking at the opening session of the trans-Pacific and global container shipping conference TPM, CMA CGM CEO and chairman Rodolphe Saadé said the move is a strong signal in favour of the environment.
“The United States is strategic for the economic exchanges and for CMA CGM; 2021 will definitely be marked by the strengthening of the ties that have already united us for a long time,” he said.
“We deeply believe in the strengths of the American economy and we’re eager to foster its responsible growth.”
The first of these new vessels will be delivered in October 2021 and all ships will be fully operational by the end of 2022.
The six 15,000-TEU vessels will be deployed on CMA CGM’s Pearl River Express (PRX) line, which sails from China to the Port of Los Angeles. The CMA CGM Group is currently operating 12 LNG-powered containerships, a fleet that will grow to 32 containerships of various sizes by 2022. This technology is one of the first steps towards achieving CMA CGM Group’s ambitious 2050 objective of carbon neutrality.
