Six New LNG Powered Box Ships to Serve the US West Coast

FRANCE – US – CHINA – The CMA CGM group, which already runs 12 LNG-powered containerships, is to dedicate six new 15,000 TEU vessels to its Pearl River Express (PRX) line, which sails from China to the Port of Los Angeles.

The first of these new vessels is due for delivery in October 2021, with all ships to be fully operational by the end of 2022. CMA CGM says the move means American customers will be able to choose to transport their goods using LNG, a new technology that helps to preserve air quality by eliminating almost all atmospheric pollutants. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, said:

“The deployment of 6 LNG-powered containerships of 15,000-TEU will go along with the development of the US economy in a sustainable manner. It is a strong signal in favour of the environment. The United States is strategic for the economic exchanges and for CMA CGM. 2021 will definitely be marked by the strengthening of the ties that have already united us for a long time. We deeply believe in the strengths of the American economy and we’re eager to foster its responsible growth.”

The moves adds to the efforts of CMA CGM, and other major shipping lines, to clean up the industry’s emissions. Recently, the Group also introduced ACT with CMA CGM+, a set of services designed to allow customers to analyse, reduce and offset their environmental impact. The company says LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulphur dioxide, 91% in particulate matter emissions and 92% in nitrogen oxide emissions, far surpassing the requirements of current regulations.

The French group also says it continues to invest in alternative solutions such as wind-assisted propulsion, hydrogen engines and green fuels. In 2019, the Group became the world’s first shipping company to successfully test a biofuel comprising 20% recycled plant oil and forestry waste. It has pledged that alternative fuels will cover at least 10% of its consumption by 2023.