CMA CGM and ENGIE recently announced the start of their collaboration to develop a biogas production project at the Port of Le Havre, France. This project, designed in line with CMA CGM's carbon reduction strategy, will include technical design and permitting processes, and following the final investment decision, ENGIE will be responsible for the construction and operation of the facilities.
Details of the Biogas Production Project
The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2029/2030 and will have the capability to convert livestock waste, household biomass, and agricultural residues into biogas. The produced biogas will be fed into the European gas network and supplied to the CMA CGM fleet. This project will operate under a certified mass balance system.
In addition to producing biogas, the project will generate 100,000 tons of digested material, which is a nutrient-rich organic substance that can be used as natural fertilizer for local farmers. Additionally, 13,000 tons of biogenic carbon dioxide will be recovered for commercialization, which will help improve the project's emission reduction performance.
CMA CGM's Carbon Reduction Strategy
CMA CGM, as a minority shareholder alongside ENGIE, is investing in this project through its PULSE energy fund, which is dedicated to innovative technologies and infrastructure aimed at carbon reduction. This collaboration represents a significant step in CMA CGM's carbon reduction strategy towards achieving Net Zero Carbon across all operations by 2050.
CMA CGM's carbon reduction strategy is based on two key priorities: reducing energy consumption through operational optimization and increasing the share of low-carbon energy by developing a sustainable fuel supply chain. Ensuring access to renewable fuels for energy transition in the transport sector is essential, and this group is helping to create sustainable supply chains for low-carbon energy through collaboration with industry and energy leaders like ENGIE.
This project will directly contribute to ENGIE's goal of producing 10 terawatt-hours of biogas annually in Europe by 2035, while the current production capacity is 1.2 terawatt-hours. This project will aid in the development of renewable gases and will expand ENGIE's biogas production capacity.
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, stated: “I am pleased to strengthen our collaboration with ENGIE, one of the leading energy companies in France. By jointly investing in biogas production at France's largest container port, Le Havre, we aim to ensure access to renewable fuels and enhance energy independence for France and Europe.”
Katherine McGregor, CEO of ENGIE, also added: “With the construction of this new facility, we aim to expand biogas production capacity in support of energy transition. This collaboration with CMA CGM demonstrates how industrial and energy players can work together to develop tangible solutions for carbon reduction in sectors that are difficult to electrify.”
This project paves the way for further initiatives in France and across Europe that are currently under consideration.
