Image credit: The Maritime Executive.
CMA CGM Group has ordered its first fully electric container barge from China’s Shandong Xinneng Shipbuilding. This order moves forward the project announced in December 2024 to develop green inland river operations in Vietnam.
The barge, co-designed by CMA CGM, CATL, and Jining Energy Group, will be 80 meters long and carry approximately 180 TEU. It will operate entirely on battery power between Binh Duong Province and the Gemalink terminal in Cai Mep, a 180-kilometer route.
Key Features:
- Battery Power: CATL provides the battery technology.
- Solar Recharging: Jining Energy Group will develop a solar-powered recharging facility at the Gemalink terminal.
- Capacity: The barge will transport over 50,000 TEU annually.
- Operation: The operation will begin in 2026, with Nike using the barge for its products.
Shandong Xinneng Shipbuilding:
- Developed as China’s first domestic inland new energy shipbuilder.
- Has an order book of 165 ships.
- Can build 400 inland ships annually.
CMA CGM’s Commitment:
- Operates 29 weekly mainline services from seven ports in Vietnam.
- The electric barge is part of its decarbonization ambitions.
- Aims to create a model for other markets.
- Supports Vietnam’s goal of carbon net zero by 2050.
This project demonstrates CMA CGM’s commitment to sustainable shipping and its investment in innovative solutions for the Asian market.