Shell and CMA CGM Group have signed agreements that will see them work closely together to accelerate decarbonising the marine sector. This includes a multi-year liquefied natural gas  supply agreement, which will supply LNG to CMA CGM’s 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit  vessels in the Port of Singapore, starting from the second half of 2023.

The simultaneous operation  LNG bunkering will be undertaken by FueLNG, a joint venture between a unit of Shell in Singapore and Keppel Offshore & Marine  utilising FueLNG Bellina that is already in operation and an 18,000m³ LNG bunker vessel that will come into service in 2023, further enhancing the reliability of its LNG bunkering operations.

Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Head of Downstream LNG at Shell, said: “CMA CGM continues to see the potential in LNG as a marine fuel, so it is a hugely positive step to be extending our supply commitments in this area. By using LNG as a marine fuel, the industry immediately places itself on a decarbonising pathway, starting today. LNG is a fuel in transition and offers a credible pathway to liquefied biomethane and the hydrogen-based fuel liquefied e-methane; both having the potential of being net zero.”

Furthermore, the two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that encompasses:

• the advancement of low-carbon marine fuels, such as liquid biofuels, bio/e-methane (to LNG), bio/e-methanol, for new and existing vessels
• the delivery of innovative technical solutions, which include LNG and hydrogen blending, methane slip abatement technologies and fuel cell technology development
• exploring voluntary and mandated trading mechanisms for carbon credits
• and joint advocacy for net zero-emissions policies.

Melissa Williams, Vice President Marine, Sectors & Decarbonisation at Shell, said: “Collaboration and partnership are critical in paving the way, which will include a mosaic of lower-carbon fuels, technology sharing and partnership projects to realise a net zero future in shipping. Thus, I am excited about our agreement with CMA CGM as it allows both businesses to bring their respective scale and size to drive impactful change in the industry – helping our customers to overcome their challenges and meet their ambitious decarbonisation goals in the process.”

As Shell and CMA CGM are long standing partners, both companies plan to extend their partnership to the road and aviation sectors in the future. In doing so, this demonstrates the vital role effective partnerships will play in accelerating decarbonisation in shipping and beyond.