TotalEnergies and CMA CGM Group are joining forces in a 50/50 logistics joint venture to establish and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker supply solution at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. This strategic collaboration between the two French powerhouses underscores their mutual commitment to accelerating the energy transition within the maritime sector.
Expanding Europe's LNG Infrastructure
As part of this new logistics joint venture, a 20,000 cubic-meter LNG bunker vessel is slated for deployment in Rotterdam by the end of 2028, to be jointly operated by the partners. The CMA CGM-TotalEnergies joint venture will offer a comprehensive logistics service, encompassing reload access at Gate terminal facilities and LNG bunker delivery to a wide array of vessels operating in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region. This service will cater to both CMA CGM's own fleet and other shipping operators.
The joint venture will leverage TotalEnergies' existing logistics infrastructure in the ARA region, which already includes the 18,600 m³ LNG bunker vessel Gas Agility, operational since 2020. By integrating the joint venture's future LNG bunker vessel with the Gas Agility, the partnership aims to create significant synergies, enhancing delivery flexibility and boosting operational efficiency across the region.
A Long-Term Commitment to LNG Supply
To support CMA CGM's ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and to ensure the reliable supply for its expanding dual-fuel LNG-powered fleet (projected to reach 123 vessels by 2029), TotalEnergies has committed to supplying CMA CGM with up to 360,000 tons of LNG annually, from 2028 through 2040.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: "We are proud to further contribute, alongside a partner like CMA CGM, to the development of an LNG bunkering supply chain in one of Europe’s leading port hubs. LNG is today the most mature and immediately available solution to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport."
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, echoed this sentiment: "With this joint venture, CMA CGM and TotalEnergies are taking a new step to support the energy transition in shipping. For the first time, a shipping company and an energy provider will jointly operate an LNG bunkering vessel, based in the port of Rotterdam. It is a concrete way to scale up alternative fuels and accelerate the decarbonization of global trade."
The establishment of this joint venture is currently subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
A Strong Partnership Driving Low-Carbon Solutions
TotalEnergies and CMA CGM have a well-established history of collaboration in advancing low-carbon marine solutions:
- 2017: A 10-year agreement was signed for TotalEnergies to supply 300,000 tons of LNG annually to CMA CGM in Rotterdam.
- 2019: Another 10-year agreement was inked for TotalEnergies to supply 250,000 tons of LNG annually to CMA CGM in Marseille Fos.
- 2020: The Gas Agility conducted the first LNG bunkering of a large CMA CGM container vessel in Rotterdam, delivering 17,300 m³ of LNG.
- 2021: The first LNG bunkering of a CMA CGM container ship in France occurred in Dunkirk, with nearly 16,400 m³ of LNG supplied.
- 2022: The Port of Marseille Fos saw its first ship-to-containership LNG bunkering operation, with approximately 6,000 m³ of LNG delivered.
The Crucial Role of LNG in Shipping's Energy Transition
As a marine fuel, LNG significantly contributes to reducing the environmental impact of shipping. It helps cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% compared to conventional marine fuel, with the potential for even greater reductions if bio or synthetic LNG is used (up to -67% and -85% of GHG emissions, respectively). Furthermore, LNG drastically improves air quality by reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85% and virtually eliminating sulfur oxides (SOx) and fine particles (by 99%). Consequently, marine LNG is recognized as a sustainable, affordable, and readily available method for reducing emissions in the shipping sector. Both TotalEnergies and CMA CGM are actively investing in LNG bunkering infrastructure, which is vital for supporting the wider adoption of LNG as a marine fuel by shipping customers.
Industry Leaders Committed to Decarbonization
TotalEnergies, the world’s third-largest LNG player, boasts a global portfolio of 40 Mt/y in 2024. The company has an integrated position across the entire LNG value chain, encompassing production, transportation, access to over 20 Mt/y of regasification capacity in Europe, trading, and LNG bunkering. TotalEnergies aims to increase the share of natural gas in its sales mix to nearly 50% by 2030, striving to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate methane emissions from the gas value chain, and collaborate with local partners to promote the transition from coal to natural gas.
CMA CGM, a global leader in shipping and logistics, is a pioneer in the decarbonization of the maritime industry, committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The Group's strategy focuses on optimizing its fleet and operations, accelerating the use of low-carbon fuels, developing energy-efficient technologies, and promoting modal shifts. CMA CGM has made substantial investments in next-generation vessels powered by alternative energies such as LNG, biomethane, and, in the future, e-methane and green methanol.
This partnership between TotalEnergies and CMA CGM represents a significant step forward in making sustainable shipping solutions more accessible and widespread.