French container shipping company CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, in conjunction with the Port of Marseille Fos, have launched Marseilles’ inaugural ship-to-containership LNG bunkering operation.
CMA CGM Bali, a 15,000 TEU LNG-powered containership, deployed on the service connecting Asia and Southern Europe, is the first ship to take on LNG, being refuelled by TotalEnergies’ Gas Vitality, the first LNG bunker vessel based in France, with around 6,000m3 of LNG, by means of a ship-to-ship transfer alongside the Eurofos container terminal, while the containership carried out cargo operations simultaneously. The Gas Vitality is TotalEnergies’ second chartered LNG bunker vessel and is owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).
In November of 2017, Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM Group CEO, announced the decision to make CMA CGM the first shipowner to equip its flagship 23,000-TEU vessels with engines using liquefied natural gas (LNG). CMA CGM chose TotalEnergies as part of a major industrial partnership to supply gas in Rotterdam, Singapore and Marseille. Marseille is the first LNG bunkering hub in France for shipping, covering the Mediterranean and South Europe area, and CMA CGM’s third to be created after Rotterdam and Singapore.
By the end of 2024, the CMA CGM Group will have a fleet of 44 LNG-powered vessels, ‘e-methane ready’, of various sizes. 24 of these are already in service. The engines deployed on these vessels have the capability of using bio-methane (already in use) and e-methane, a carbon-neutral fuel, making them both an immediate and a long-term solution to the challenges of decarbonisation.
LNG is considered the most advanced currently available solution when it comes to preserving air quality, a major public health challenge for communities in coastal areas and port cities. An LNG-powered vessel emits up to 23% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuel-powered systems.
Christine Cabau, EVP Operations and Assets, CMA CGM, said: “This LNG bunkering operation is an important milestone for our group, in many ways. It sets France and Marseille maritime and port cluster on the frontline for the decarbonisation of shipping. It enhances LNG solutions as the first step of a broader industrial strategy that will take us to alternative fuels such as biomethane and e-methane. It is also another proof of the commitment of CMA CGM toward Marseilles and its region. We are very proud to act both globally and locally to develop sustainably our business”.
Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, VP Marine Fuels, TotalEnergies, said: “TotalEnergies is delighted to successfully complete Marseille’s first LNG bunkering operation of a containership via the Gas Vitality. Her deployment underscores the Company’s commitment to support the French port’s ambition to be an LNG bunkering hub for the Mediterranean region. This landmark operation also demonstrates our continued support to the growing role of LNG in shipping’s energy transition. In line with TotalEnergies’ climate ambition, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners to develop and scale up new, lower-carbon and ultimately, zero-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.”
Hervé Martel, CEO, Port of Marseille Fos, said{ “This is a new milestone for the port of Marseille Fos, which is undoubtedly an essential LNG hub in the Mediterranean. The energy transition operated at Marseille Fos involves all the partners. The port is resolutely committed to this path: that of environmental excellence. This operation is proof of effective joint work and an additional attractiveness argument for our port.”
Cyril Ducau, CEO Eastern Pacific Shipping, said: “EPS is pleased to be part of this landmark operation as it confirms the importance of LNG in the industry’s energy transition. In addition, the operations in Marseille prove that the needed infrastructure to facilitate LNG bunkering is already in place. By teaming up with environmentally conscious partners such as CMA CGM, TotalEnergies, and the Port of Marseille, shipping companies have the ability to significantly lower their emissions today while developing alternative solutions for tomorrow. EPS is proud to have a series of LNG-powered vessels chartered to CMA CGM, and we are excited that this will be the first of many successful LNG operations in France”.
