CMA CGM’s First LNG-Powered Containership To Call A Port In West Africa

The first LNG-powered containership, CMA CGM Scandola, is scheduled to be deployed by the French shipping operator in West Africa. As part of the company’s effort to decarbonise logistics and shipping, the vessel will visit Tema, Ghana, on January 23. On January 28, it will sail to the newly constructed Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria.

As a “biomethane and e-methane ready” ship, it aims to lower significantly particulate matter, sulfur, and nitrogen oxide emissions to enhance air quality. CMA CGM’s West Africa Express (WAX) service connects the vessel, which has a capacity of 15,000 TEU, to China, Southeast Asia, and India, making it one of the largest vessels for operation in West Africa.

CMA CGM Scandola will contribute to the shipping industry of West Africa and add to its supply chains with its high-capacity ships and improved services. Tema, Lekki, Abidjan, and Pointe-Noire calls are included in the WAX service, which enhances connectivity to international locations. The deployment underscores the company’s dedication to minimising its environmental effects and aligns with its leadership position in the decarbonisation movement. The ship will dock at the CMA Terminals-managed Lekki Deep Sea Port, demonstrating the company’s commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure.

The port, Nigeria’s first deep-water port with gantry cranes, is an important entry point to the largest economy on the continent and offers a massive transhipment centre for the Gulf of Guinea’s neighbouring countries.
The CMA CGM Group’s dual-fuel gas-powered ships, like the LNG-powered CMA CGM Scandola, are a testament to their dedication to sustainability. Since they emit less sulfur, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter, these vessels help maintain the air quality.

The CMA CGM Group established significant industry alliances and created the CMA CGM Energy Fund, which has a $1.5 billion budget over five years, to diversify its fuel sources further. The corporation reduced its CO2 emissions by around one million tons in 2023. The CMA CGM Group has been an essential supplier in West Africa for more than 20 years, and it is still dedicated to promoting the region’s economic development and leading the energy transition.

The company’s relationship with clients, local government, and partners has entered a new phase with the deployment of CMA CGM Scandola, according to Stéphane Courquin, Head of CMA CGM Africa. This alliance will enhance African transportation’s potential and promote sustainable growth.

Recently, the company has welcomed CMA CGM Cedrus, CMA CGM Bahia, and CMA CGM Legacy as three new vessels to its fleet. These vessel’s proportions and cutting-edge technologies are unique, but they all have one eco-friendly thing in common: they’re LNG-powered. With this addition, CMA CGM’s fleet now comprises 36 LNG-powered vessels, further solidifying the company’s dedication to environmentally friendly transportation methods. CMA CGM aims to have nearly 120 vessels that can run on decarbonised fuels by 2028.

Reference: Offshore Energy, Hellenic Shipping News

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Source: Maritime Shipping News