CMA CGM Group and SUEZ have signed an ambitious agreement aimed at advancing renewable fuel production for the shipping industry, marking a strategic step towards decarbonizing maritime transport. Under this memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed on October 18, the two companies will collaborate to produce up to 100,000 tonnes of biomethane annually by 2030, supplying CMA CGM’s gas-powered fleet. This partnership, representing a €100 million joint investment, aims to bolster Europe’s biomethane sector by constructing advanced production facilities.
This alliance, combining CMA CGM’s global expertise in maritime logistics with SUEZ’s leading capabilities in waste-to-energy solutions, will serve as a powerful accelerator for both companies’ carbon neutrality goals. CMA CGM has set its sights on becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2050, a target that hinges on the company’s ongoing $18 billion investment in low-carbon energy vessels. Meanwhile, SUEZ, a stalwart in sustainable energy, has already enabled clients to avoid over 6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions in 2023 alone. Their agreement emphasizes the critical role of waste recovery and biomethane in creating cleaner fuels for the future.
Beyond supply, this partnership has three key focuses: establishing joint R&D efforts, funding biomethane facility development, and designing new biofuel technologies. A pivotal aspect of the MOU involves using hydrothermal gasification processes, a technology that breaks down organic material into energy-rich gas, maximizing the energy extracted from waste. The shared R&D initiatives will allow the companies to innovate in biofuel production techniques, making them increasingly efficient and scalable.
The new biomethane facilities, set to be built across Europe, will cater not only to CMA CGM’s fleet but also potentially supply other industry players. This is a significant step as the industry races towards greener alternatives to conventional fuel. Biomethane offers lower carbon emissions, which is essential for decarbonizing an industry responsible for 2-3% of global emissions. As countries tighten environmental regulations on shipping emissions, biomethane’s role in maritime energy is expected to grow.
CMA CGM’s chairman and CEO, Rodolphe Saadé, described the deal as a major step forward, adding that it would “support the biomethane sector dedicated to the shipping industry while accelerating the decarbonisation of CMA CGM Group.” Saadé emphasized the importance of energy independence for France and Europe, noting that the new facilities will serve to increase regional sovereignty over clean energy production.
SUEZ CEO Sabrina Soussan echoed Saadé’s enthusiasm, highlighting that the partnership underscores SUEZ’s dedication to circular solutions, turning waste into fuel for Europe’s energy transition. She stated that the project illustrates SUEZ’s mission to transform waste into new resources that benefit strategic sectors like transport.
For CMA CGM and SUEZ, this partnership isn’t just a technical collaboration but a strategic alignment with the broader goal of reducing emissions on a large scale. As both companies progress towards their decarbonization objectives, this initiative represents a meaningful commitment to developing sustainable fuel sources within the shipping sector. With a shared focus on innovative fuel solutions and biomethane’s potential as a renewable maritime fuel, the partnership sets a precedent for what cooperative ventures in green energy can achieve.
