CMA CGM and ENGIE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.
The agreement will include a technical and economic study on LNG as a fuel for tomorrow’s containerships, and a study on the development of engineering specifications for a bunkering vessel adapted to LNG-fuelled containerships. These studies will aim to improve the time logistics necessary for fuelling ships with LNG and therefore promote their deployment.
LNG is gaining momentum in the shipping industry as a marine fuel thanks to its low CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter emissions and complete elimination of sulphur oxides (SOx), which means ships can operate in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) without further abatement technologies.
Both Engie and CMA CGM believe that LNG is destined to expand in the near future and intend to be active players in its development.
CMA CGM also participates in two further programs to design more environmentally-friendly containerships. The studies include the development of a dual-fuel large capacity containership that can operate on LNG or fuel oil, which has been approved by Bureau Veritas, and a second project that aims to design an ultra large containership propelled without fuel using a combined gas and steam turbine.
ENGIE has also participated in the development of a number of regasification terminals worldwide and ordered the first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel in the market, which is expected to be delivered to its first customer in early 2017.
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