CMA CGM and French energy company ENGIE have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the use of liquefied natural gas as the fuel for container vessels.

“We are most pleased with this cooperation with CMA CGM, which is a leader of maritime transport at the international level,” said Isabelle Kocher, CEO of ENGIE [left in photo]. “For ENGIE, natural gas is a key element in the energy transition. The group is actively engaged in the development of the diverse uses of retail LNG, especially for transportation. Ultimately, LNG as marine fuel will lead to a massive reduction in pollutant emissions.”

According to CMA CGM, the agreement covers a joint technical and economic study on LNG as a fuel for tomorrow’s container ships, as well as a study on the development of engineering specifications for an LNG bunkering vessel to improve the process of fuelling LNG-powered container ships.

“Liquefied natural gas has many environmental advantages,” said Farid Salem, executive officer of the CMA CGM Group [right in photo]. “It is undoubtedly the fuel of the future of the maritime shipping industry that will progressively substitute heavy fuel oil over the next few decades. CMA CGM wishes to be a pioneer in this area, and with the agreement with ENGIE this allows the company to move one step closer.”

Using LNG reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matters, and eliminates sulphur oxide emissions.

The MoU rounds out a research project undertaken by CMA CGM since 2011 to design more environmentally friendly container vessels, according to the French shipping line.