The LNG-powered CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE makes her first call at Le Havre

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s largest containership powered by liquefied natural gas and sailing under the French flag, was making her first call in Le Havre at the Terminal de France of the Grand Port Maritime du Havre.

The Group, which plays a key role in helping to power the French economy, currently serves 10 ports throughout the country, operating 49 shipping lines towards worldwide destinations. It made a total of 2,500 calls during 2020. At present, CMA CGM also has 5,700 employees in France, including 500 French sailors, with 27 ships sailing under the French flag and showcasing our country’s excellence.

CMA CGM has over 7,000 customers in France

CMA CGM helps French businesses export their expertise around the world and ships over 6,000,000 tons of goods p.a. from France’s ports. It has over 7,000 customers in France—both large groups and many small- and medium-sized enterprises—and supports their international development.

The Group is helping to establish France as a center of excellence in LNG for the shipping industry through its decision to sail the 14 LNG-powered container ships it owns under the French flag.

CMA CGM, a major port terminal operator in France

The CMA CGM Group operates 5 port terminals in France and is currently France’s largest cargo handler, with a volume of close to 3 million TEUs handled in France. It constantly invests in cutting-edge terminal facilities to help boost the competitiveness of French ports.

LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulfur dioxide, 91% in particulate matter emissions and 92% in nitrogen oxide emissions, surpassing the requirements of current regulations. LNG also provides an initial response to the challenge of tackling climate change. An LNG-powered vessel emits up to 20% less CO2 than fuel-powered systems. This technology is one of the first steps the CMA CGM Group is taking to meet its target of being carbon-neutral by 2050.

CMA CGM, a pioneer leading the energy transition in shipping

The CMA CGM Group has always considered its business performance as intrinsically linked to its social and environmental performance In 2019, the Group became the world’s first shipping company to successfully test a biofuel comprising 20% recycled plant oil and forestry waste. It has pledged that alternative fuels will cover at least 10% of its consumption by 2023.

The development of various cutting-edge environmentally friendly technologies to raise its fleet’s efficiency and cut energy consumption: reprofiled bow shapes to achieve a better hydrodynamic performance, as well as propeller and engine innovations to cut CO2 emissions and oil and fuel consumption.

A vessel like the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE will help us to rise and meet the major challenges of the future: Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman  CEO CMA CGM Group

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, commented: “France is a leading sea-faring nation. The visit by the French prime minister, members of his government and Édouard Philippe underscores the importance of the sea economy and the strategically important role played by shipping and all port operators. A vessel like the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE will help us to rise and meet the major challenges of the future—the shift to cleaner energy and the expansion of the French economy.”