This partnership marks the first time a shipping line and an energy provider will co-develop and jointly operate LNG bunkering facilities.
Global integrated energy company TotalEnergies and leading sea, land, air, and logistics solutions provider CMA CGM Group have officially announced a 50/50 joint venture. This pioneering partnership is dedicated to the implementation and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker supply solution at the crucial port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for the industry, as it marks the first instance of a shipping line directly partnering with an energy provider to co-develop and jointly operate LNG bunkering facilities.
As part of this newly formed logistics joint venture, a state-of-the-art 20,000 cubic-meter LNG bunker vessel is slated for deployment in Rotterdam by the close of 2028. This vessel will be jointly operated by the two entities, offering a comprehensive logistics service. This service will span from reload access at the Gate terminal facilities to efficient LNG bunker delivery for a diverse range of vessels operating within the vital Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region. This includes not only CMA CGM's own growing fleet but also vessels from other shipping operators.
The joint venture is strategically positioned to leverage TotalEnergies’ existing robust logistics infrastructure in the ARA region, which already benefits from the operational presence of the 18,600 m³ LNG bunker vessel Gas Agility since 2020. By seamlessly integrating the JV’s future LNG bunker vessel with the Gas Agility, the partnership aims to unlock powerful synergies, significantly enhancing delivery flexibility and boosting overall operational efficiency across the entire region.
Further solidifying their commitment, TotalEnergies has entered into a new long-term agreement to supply CMA CGM with up to 360,000 tons of LNG annually. This supply, commencing from 2028 and extending until 2040, is crucial in supporting CMA CGM's ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. It will also cater to the burgeoning needs of CMA CGM's dual-fuel LNG-powered fleet, which is projected to expand to an impressive 123 vessels by 2029.
The formal establishment of this joint venture remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
This latest agreement builds upon a strong history of collaboration between TotalEnergies and CMA CGM, who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to advancing low-carbon marine solutions. Their partnership dates back to 2017 with a 10-year agreement for LNG supply in Rotterdam, followed by a similar agreement in Marseille Fos in 2019. Notable milestones include the first LNG bunkering of a large CMA CGM container vessel in Rotterdam in 2020, the first in France in Dunkirk in 2021, and the first ship-to-containership LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Marseille Fos in 2022.
