On March 15^th, 2022, the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, and SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL PORT , a world leading terminal operator, successfully achieved the LNG bunkering of CMA CGM SYMI, a 15,000 TEU LNG-powered containership. The vessel, deployed on the PRX line connecting China and the US, was refueled with LNG at Yangshan Port. Haigang Weilai, a new 20,000 m³ LNG bunker barge deployed by SIPG provided CMA CGM SYMI with LNG by means of a ship-to-ship transfer, while the containership carried out cargo operations simultaneously.

A new milestone for shipping and logistics’ energy transition

The Shanghai Port’s bonded LNG bunkering project has been highly valued by the Shanghai Municipal Government, and all relevant departments have given immense support, as it contributes to creating a world-class business environment, improving Shanghai’s port service functions and enhancing the overall competitiveness of Shanghai as an international shipping center. According to the agreement signed between CMA CGM and SIPG in January, starting at the end of the first quarter of 2022, and for a duration of 10 years, SIPG will provide SIMOPS LNG bunkering service for CMA CGM’s vessels sailing from China to the United-States at Yangshan Port, the first of its kind in China.

CMA CGM, leading shipping’s energy transition with a fleet of 44 e-methane ready vessels by the end of 2024.

The CMA CGM Group is committed to making shipping and logistics a more sustainable industry through Better Ways, and the Group has joined the United Nations’ Race to Zero initiative to become a Net Zero Carbon company by 2050.

To achieve this goal, CMA CGM is taking concrete actions by adopting the best available solutions, and since 2017, CMA CGM has chosen to invest in dual-fuel vessels that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), avoiding up to 99% of atmospheric pollutant emissions. LNG-powered vessel is an important first step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as the engine installed on these vessels is capable of, and already is, using BioLNG (-67% in CO₂ emissions). In the coming years, those engines will use synthetic methane (including e-methane). The CMA CGM Group’s “e-methane ready” fleet consists of 26 vessels already in service and a total of 44 vessels by the end of 2024.

As the world’s leading terminal operator, SIPG has always integrated the concept of green and sustainable development into all aspects and in the port development and is committed to becoming a leader in promoting the green and ecological ports. SIPG has been making great effort through technology-driven measures like cold-ironing and diesel-oil transition to create environmentally friendly port. The carbon emission intensity in Shanghai Port has been decreasing over the years. SIPG continues to develop green ports in line with the national goal of “dual carbon” proposed in the 14^th Five-year Plan. The LNG clean fuel bunkering service for CMA CGM is SIPG’s contribution to reducing the carbon footprint for the shipping and logistics supply chain.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, said “With the completion of this joint project, our group is the first shipping line to bunker LNG in China, and the first to offer full LNG-fueled container service between China and the U.S. West Coast. By expanding the network of world-class ports offering LNG services, this bunkering marks an important step in the energy transition.”

Mr. Gu Jinshan, Chairman of SIPG, said “Today is a historic moment. The Shanghai port’s implementation of bonded LNG bunkering for ships on international voyages has been highly valued by the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, and has received strong support from relevant departments With the joint efforts of SIPG and CMA CGM, the first bunkering of bonded LNG for ships on international voyages in Shanghai Port was successfully completed today, which is also a first in China. It is of great significance to creating a world-class business environment, improving Shanghai’s port service functions, and enhancing the comprehensive competitiveness of Shanghai as an international shipping center. With the expansion of bonded LNG bunkering service for international voyage ships at Shanghai port, that will be conducive to promoting green and low-carbon development in international shipping industry and contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goal.”