CMA CGM/Shell complete first bio-LNG bunkering trial in Rotterdam
CMA CGM’s ‘e-methane ready’ fleet includes 20 vessels and will grow to 44 ships by the end of 2024.
Shell’s Bio-LNG offering, combined with the dual-fuel gas engine technology developed by CMA CGM, has the potential to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, by at least 67% well-to-wake (the complete value chain) compared to Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), a press release stated.
The French carrier said that the results from the trial will give the maritime sector a vital demonstration of the scalability, sustainability, and technical compliance of Bio-LNG, which is produced from agricultural and industrial food waste.
In addition to this new milestone in the use of Bio-LNG for shipping, CMA CGM supported in 2021 the production of 25,000 tonnes of biomethane, which is equivalent to a year’s fuel consumption of four 1,400TEU LNG-powered ships, to further accelerate the availability to a wider market.
General Manager of Shell Global Downstream LNG, Tahir Faruqui, affirmed that LNG is the first integral step to decarbonize the shipping sector. “LNG offers immediate emissions reduction and has the potential to become a net-zero emission marine fuel given the possible roles of Bio-LNG and synthetic LNG.”
(Photo CMA CGM)