CMA CGM, Shanghai Port join hands to scale up use of cold ironing

French shipping major CMA CGM Group and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co. have inked a long-term strategic collaboration to develop the mass-scale use of cold ironing technology.

As explained, the partners will work on the use of onshore power supply for containerships at the Port of Shanghai. After the signing of the agreement, all fully-fitted CMA CGM containerships calling at the port of Shanghai will systematically use the onshore power connection.

“By allowing ships to shut down auxiliary engines and use an onshore power supply while at berth, “cold ironing” eliminates sulfur oxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxide emissions, significantly improving air quality while also reducing noise pollution,” according to CMA CGM.

In late November 2022, the CMA CGM Group and SIPG successfully completed the technical trial of the cold ironing facilities of Yangshan Terminal in the port of Shanghai, which involved the CMA CGM Group’s 13 982 TEU containership APL FULLERTON and several other vessels.

By the end of 2022, 13 CMA CGM vessels calling at the port of Shanghai will connect to the onshore power supply, and by mid-2023, this number will increase to reach 50.

CMA CGM’s most recent vessels are now equipped with the technology required to use “cold ironing”, and CMA CGM is conducting an extensive retrofitting program so other containerships can also use an onshore power supply.

“CMA CGM is steadfastly committed to installing more environmentally responsible solutions on board our vessels, the Group supports cold ironing and we will continue to equip our fleet accordingly,” Ludovic Renou, CEO of CMA CGM China, commented.

This cooperation follows the successful pioneering of LNG simultaneous operation (SIMOPS) bunkering achieved in March 2022 in Shanghai.

The CMA CGM Group is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and intends to accelerate the energy transition in shipping and logistics, led by an enhanced energy mix.

By the end of 2026, the CMA CGM Group will have a fleet of 77 LNG-powered vessels of various sizes. 32 “ bio and e -methane ready” vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines and LNG-powered are already in service. The engines deployed on these vessels already have the technical capability of using bio and e -methane, a source of carbon-neutral fuels.

In September, CMA CGM Group announced the creation of a Fund for Energies, backed by a five-year, €1.5 billion budget, to accelerate its energy transition and achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050.

In particular, the Fund for Energies will support the development and industrial-scale production of renewable energies (biofuels, biomethane, e-methane, green methanol, etc.), while accelerating the decarbonization of port terminals, warehouses, and land vehicle fleets.