CMA CGM Launches Vietnam’s First 100% Electric River Barge With NIKE

The third largest container shipping company in the world CMA CGM, has announced the launch of Vietnam’s first 100% electric container barge.

This zero-emission vessel will support logistics between Binh Duong Province and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, covering a 180-kilometre route. The project is scheduled to start operations in early 2026.

This groundbreaking initiative is being carried out in partnership with NIKE, who has become the first company to adopt this new electric barge system for transporting goods from its manufacturing sites in Vietnam to the Gemalink container terminal near Ho Chi Minh City.

CMA CGM has signed a joint venture agreement with Gemadept, one of Vietnam’s key port and logistics operators to operate the new barge. Together, they have created a new company called Green River Transportation, which will manage river transport services in the Mekong Delta.

The goal is to build a more sustainable and low-carbon logistics network in the region.

CMA CGM launches Vietnam’s first 100% electric inland barge
Designed by our teams with committed use by our client @Nike, this solution will prevent 778t of CO₂ emissions annually.
A clear step toward our Net Zero Carbon objective by 2050.#CMACGM #Decarbonization #Vietnam pic.twitter.com/2LrVvD8Nre

— CMA CGM Group (@cmacgm) May 28, 2025

The barge itself has been designed by CMA CGM’s internal teams from CMA Ships and its R&D department. It will be powered by a dedicated charging station being set up at Cai Mep port, near the Gemalink terminal.

This station will receive clean energy from a new solar power facility being developed on-site. The solar farm is expected to generate up to 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of green electricity each year, which will be used to charge the electric barge.

CMA CGM has stated that this new solution will help cut carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 778 tons every year on the designated river route.

The project is not only aimed at serving NIKE but is also being positioned as a model that can be repeated with other customers and in other countries—especially where rivers and inland waterways are vital to the supply chain.

CMA CGM has had a strong presence in Vietnam since 1989. The group currently operates five offices, runs 29 weekly maritime services, and employs more than 550 people across the country.

This electric barge launch is part of CMA CGM’s larger global plan to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The company is working toward this target using a combination of alternative fuels, low-carbon innovations, and now fully emissions-free river transport.

Reference: CMA CGM

Source: Maritime Shipping News