Shipping giants A.P. Moller - Maersk and CMA CGM are joining forces to accelerate the decarbonisation of the industry, with the aim of working together to develop the use of alternative greener fuels for container vessel propulsion.
The shipping lines will work together on developing high standards for alternative sustainable fuels – including the analysis of full lifecycle and related greenhouse gasses – and help to set the framework of mass production of green methane and green methanol.
They will also develop and maintain standards for the operation of green methanol vessels with regards to safety and bunkering, as well as accelerate port readiness for bunkering and supply of bio/e-methanol at key ports around the world. In addition, they will jointly explore the research and development (R&D) on other components of the net-zero solution such as new alternative fuels, like ammonia, or innovative technology on ships.
As frontrunners of the energy transition in shipping, both companies are convinced that joint action will help accelerate the green transition in shipping, learning from each other to go further and faster.
CMA CGM and Maersk have set a net-zero target for their shipping businesses, identified scalable solutions that can create impact in this decade, and have already individually taken ambitious paths on promoting decarbonisation for shipping. Maersk, for instance, has been ordering vessels that can be operated on bio/e-methanol, while CMA CGM has been ordering LNG-propelled vessels as well as vessels that can be operated on bio/e-methanol.
While these two fuel streams appear now as the most mature among existing solutions, both companies expect the future fuel mix of shipping will include other streams that should be developed in the coming years.
Moreover, Maersk and CMA CGM both agree to the fundamental role of regulation in securing the decarbonisation of the sector. Both companies welcome the outcome of the recent Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during which the IMO’s 2023 strategy for reducing GHG Emissions from ships was adopted, with reinforced targets to tackle harmful emissions. Likewise, regional measures such as the EU Fit for 55 and the Inflation Reduction Act in the US are welcomed by both companies to help stimulate demand for green shipping solutions.
Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and ceo of the CMA CGM Group, said: “By combining the know-how and the expertise of two shipping leaders, we will accelerate the development of new solutions and technologies, enabling our industry to reach its CO2 reduction targets. We are looking forward to being joined by other companies.”
Vincent Clerc, ceo at A.P. Moller-Maersk, added: “A.P. Moller - Maersk wants to accelerate the green transition in shipping and logistics and to do so, we need strong involvement from partners across the industry. We are pleased to have an ally in CMA CGM and it’s a testament that when we united through determined efforts and partnerships, a tangible and optimistic path toward a sustainable future emerges.”
