CMA CGM Group and waste management group SUEZ have signed a memorandum f understanding (MoU) to produce renewable fuel for the vessels of the CMA CGM Group.
The aim of the collaboration is to establish a long-term industrial partnership on biomethane, a renewable fuel produced through waste recovery, to help decarbonise shipping in Europe. The agreement plans for the production of up to 100,000t of biomethane in Europe per year between now and 2030. Joint R&D initiatives will be conducted, and a joint investment programme, funded by €100m up to 2030, set up to develop biomethane production facilities.
The joint R&D initiatives are aimed at designing innovative technologies for the production of biofuels, in particular via a hydrothermal gasification process.
CMA CGM Group has set itself the goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Pioneering the use of alternative fuels, the Group has invested US$ 18bn in orders for 131 vessels capable of using low-carbon energies (biomethane, biomethanol and synthetic fuels), which will be operational by 2028. CMA CGM Group is also working alongside energy providers to develop production facilities and supply chains for these fuels.
SUEZ has extensive expertise in the production of local and sustainable energy and secondary raw materials from waste to support decarbonisation of local authorities and industrial customers. The Group converts 5m tonnes of waste into energy every year, and produced 382 GWh of biomethane in 2023.
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO, CMA CGM Group, said: “The strategic partnership between CMA CGM and SUEZ, one of France’s leading players in the energy transition, marks a major step forward. It will enable us to support the biomethane sector dedicated to the shipping industry, while accelerating the decarbonisation of CMA CGM Group and guaranteeing our carbon neutrality trajectory by 2050. This project also strengthens our energy independence, a key asset for the sovereignty of France and Europe.”
Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO, SUEZ, said: “I am delighted to be working with the CMA CGM Group, a key player in maritime transport. Together, we are going to develop circular solutions that will contribute to the decarbonisation of this strategic sector in Europe. This partnership for biomethane production is a further illustration of SUEZ’s ambition to turn waste into new resources for the energy transition of the transport sector.”
Image: CMA CGM and SUEZ sign MoU for biomethane production
