CMA CGM Group announced its intention to equip its 9 future ships of 22,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), delivered in 2020, with engines using liquefied natural gas.
These containerships will be LNG-powered, meaning that a few percent of marine gas oil will only be used for the ignition in the combustion chamber.
Furthermore, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), which measures a ship’s environmental footprint, is improved by 20% compared to ships only propelled by fuel oil.
The use of LNG will provide significant benefits,compared to heavy fuel oil, the company said, such as:
- up to 25% less CO2
- 99% less sulphur emissions
- 99% less fine particles
- 85% less nitrogen oxides emissions
CMA CGM mentioned that its decision to fuel these containerships with LNG fuel is part of the company’s strategy to comply with the sulphur cap limit to 0.5% in 2020 and is in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the ongoing discussions at the international level.
Between 2005 and 2015, the Group has reduced its CO2 emissions per container transported per kilometer by 50% and has set up a plan to further reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% between 2015 and 2025, CMA CGM said in a statement.
Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM Group CEO, stated: “We have made the bold decision to equip our future 22,000 TEUs vessels with a technology firmly focused on the protection of the environment. By choosing LNG, CMA CGM confirms its ambition to be a leading force in the industry in environmental protection by being a pioneer in innovative and eco-responsible technologies.”