CMA CGM To Develop Electric Barge For Shipping NIKE Products In Vietnam

The CMA CGM is building an electric-powered barge to operate in the inland waterways of Vietnam. The zero-emission vessel will begin operations in 2026 and will be equipped with batteries.

It is being designed by China’s CATL for battery technologies and CMA CGM’s Research and Development Teams.

CMA CGM is partnering with NIKE on its commitment to use the e-barge for transporting NIKE Products between Binh Duong Province and Gemalink deep-sea terminal in Cai Mep, a 180 km round trip.

A charging station will be developed for this barge, powered by a solar farm at Cai Mep’s Gemalink Terminal, which is 25% owned by CMA CGM. The farm produces 1GWH of green electricity every year.

It is estimated that the barge will ship over 50,000 TEUs annually and per estimates, it will avoid 778 tonnes of carbon dioxide from its operations.

Christine Cabau-Woehrel, Executive Vice-President of Assets and Operations at CMA CGM called it a great achievement, stating that it can also be easily replicated in other regions and major clients who wish to find sustainable solutions.

CMA CGM has been in Vietnam since 1989 and highlights that this new development will help meet its decarbonisation ambitions along with Vietnam’s goal of achieving net zero by 2050. The carrier presently operates 29 weekly mainline services from 7 Vietnamese ports.

This e-barge project is among the pioneering efforts also seen in Scandinavia and China to launch electric short-sea and inland cargo and barge services. Battery technology is also being adopted for ferries and tugs.

References: CMA CGM

Source: Maritime Shipping News