Total to Supply LNG Fuel for CMA CGM's New Build Ships

Total SA and CMA CGM, a French container transportation and shipping company have signed an agreement covering the supply of around 300,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year for 10 years starting in 2020.

This unprecedented volume in the history of LNG bunker will fuel CMA CGM's nine newbuild container ships, scheduled for delivery beginning 2020 onwards.

CMA CGM has selected Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions, the Total affiliate responsible for marketing marine fuels worldwide, for these future supply operations. In February 2017, CMA CGM and Total already signed a cooperation agreement to examine the most environmentally responsible propulsion solutions to meet the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 implementation date for new sulphur regulations.

Under this agreement, Total will provide a tailor-made solution for LNG supply. The group is currently considering chartering on the long-term basis an LNG bunkering vessel that would not only deliver fuel to CMA CGM in Europe but also to other customers in the same region. The new supply chains created would lead to a wider use of LNG, especially in other shipping sectors, to achieve even greater and ambitious environmental responsibility.

Committed for many years to reducing its energy footprint to protect the environment, oceans and biodiversity, CMA CGM has already reduced its carbon emissions per container transported per kilometre by 50 percent between 2005 and 2015. It has now introduced a far-reaching plan for a further 30 percent reduction by 2025.

In addition, both companies reached an agreement in principle on the potential supply of lubricants for the nine newbuilds, giving CMA CGM access to Total Lubmarine’s innovative products, technical expertise and global distribution network.

“LNG is the fuel of the future for shipping. With this groundbreaking decision by the CMA CGM Group, the entire maritime industry will benefit from the new supply chains that will be created. CMA CGM is pursuing its expansion through a combination of growth, profitability and environmental responsibility. By combining the expertise of two French companies, each one leader in its field, we are consolidating France’s prominent role for a more sustainable transportation and in favour of the energy transition,” said Rodolphe Saade, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM.

“CMA CGM’s decision to adopt LNG propulsion for its new build container ships sends a strong signal to the maritime world. The wider use of LNG as a fuel is an important component of Total’s LNG strategy, and we are delighted to support CMA CGM as it implements this ambitious project. This agreement highlights our involvement in developing dedicated supply chains for this new fuel. We are once again demonstrating our ability to provide customized energy solutions to our customers,” added Patrick Pouyanne, chairman and CEO of Total.