By lowering sulfur dioxide and fine particulate emissions by 99 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85 percent, LNG, an energy with a promising future, helps to preserve air quality and can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent compared to fuel-powered systems.

As part of its push to take the shipping industry's energy transformation to the next level, the CMA CGM Group has embarked on a major program to develop a new class of liquefied natural gas-powered vessels.

CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE is opening the first LNG bunkering facility in Rotterdam today.

The Port of Rotterdam will play a key role in the replenishment of the LNG fleet of the Group, which operates scheduled services between Asia and Europe.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Company made a pioneering decision in November 2017 to order nine 23,000 TEUs with an LNG power supply, a first in the shipping industry's history for vessels of this scale.

This pioneering fleet is the culmination of seven years of R&D efforts. It will work on the iconic French Asia Line of the Party, linking Asia to Europe. A weekly service comprising 13 calls over 84 days is provided by the line.

Following this record order for nine 23,000 TEU containerships, including the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE and the newly delivered CMA CGM CHAMPS ELYSEES, the CMA CGM Group is now running seven containerships fuelled by LNG and will have a fleet of 26 containerships.

LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulfur dioxide and fine particle emissions and of 85% in nitrogen oxide emissions, surpassing the requirements of current regulations. LNG also provides an initial response to the challenge of tackling climate change. 

Maritime Business World