VIETNAM — According to The Maritime Executive, CMA CGM plans to operate and develop a 100% electric barge for Nike goods in Vietnam. The group said that the barge is part of its long-term commitment and decarbonization plans. However, CMA also told Loadstar this week that it ordered 12 new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels last year. 

Ship It Zero strongly opposes LNG, a fossil fuel that is primarily methane, a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and 80% more potent on a 20-year timescale. The pollution from LNG poisons our communities and is not an acceptable fuel source for addressing the climate crisis. 

CMA CGM earned a “D” on Ship It Zero’s 2023 decarbonization report card. Its significant investments in LNG vessels and pollution conversion devices — referred to by industry as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems or scrubbers — drastically reduced its score. 

The following statement is from Jonathan Butler, Pacific Environment’s Climate Campaign Manager for Corporate and lead representative of the Ship It Zero campaign: 

“We applaud the CMA CGM Group’s commitment to decarbonizing its maritime fleet and congratulate them on their latest step toward zero-emission shipping. Partnering with Nike to ship its goods on a fully electric barge is a small, yet powerful step towards decarbonization. We would like to see additional commitments from CMA to continue advancing towards zero-emission shipping. 

“We also call on CMA to establish a definitive timeline to end its use of liquefied natural gas ships, and ensure that the entirety of its fleet is climate friendly. LNG is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and 80% more potent on a 20-year timescale making it a disaster in addressing climate change. 

“Meanwhile, the shipping industry had a significant surge in profits in 2024, with some estimates recording $26.8 billion in the third quarter alone.The industry has the money to transform itself and set itself on an immediate trajectory to align shipping with the U.N.’s climate goals, but it continues to put profits over people and the planet. 

“The maritime industry must make immediate changes to the way it operates in order to provide a major impact on many stakeholders around the world, including port workers, frontline and fenceline communities and maritime workers. Burning heavy fuel oils is not sustainable and we call on CMA to accelerate its path to zero-emission now.”

###

About Pacific Environment

Pacific Environment confronts our most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change, and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future.

About Ship It Zero

Ship It Zero is a climate and public health campaign to move the world’s largest retail companies to 100% zero-emission ocean shipping. We are pushing corporations to take responsibility for their ocean shipping pollution and lead the way to climate-friendly, clean-air shipping practices.