As part of the decarbonization process of river transport in Southeast Asia, CMA CGM Group , an integrator of maritime, land, air and logistics services, announced the launch of the first 100% electric container barge in Vietnam.
In a statement, CMA CGM detailed that the barge is scheduled to enter service in early 2026 to provide logistics support for Nike , a sporting goods company.
The initiative is supported by the construction of a solar-powered charging station located at the Gemalink terminal at Cai Mep Port, Vietnam’s main container gateway.
CMA CGM has signed an agreement with its partner Gemadept , a logistics and port operator in the Asian country, to establish a joint venture called Green River Transportation, which will operate the electric barge, which was jointly designed by CMA Ships and CMA CGM’s R&D teams .
“The facility is expected to generate up to one gigawatt-hour (GWh) of green electricity per year. This new zero-emission solution will reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 778 tons per year on the 180-kilometer (km) route between Binh Duong Province and Ba Roa-Vung Tau in southern Vietnam,” the maritime services integrator emphasized.
The initiative is aligned with CMA CGM’s global strategy to achieve “Net Zero Carbon by 2050, through a combination of low-carbon technologies, alternative fuels, and now zero-emission river logistics solutions,” the shipping firm said.
Maersk also goes electrified
For its part, logistics integrator AP Moller-Maersk has established a partnership with transportation provider Sotraser Chile to incorporate electric trucks into its operations.
The initiative represents a significant step toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in regional logistics, the Danish company stated in a statement.
“The integration of our 100% electric fleet into Maersk’s operations is not only a milestone for Sotraser, but also a clear sign that the future of logistics is already underway,” said Pedro Peña Staub, Sotraser’s Electromobility Manager.
The shipping and transport companies will have the Volvo FH Electric and FM Electric models , equipped with 540 kilowatt-hour (kWh) batteries, with an approximate range of 300 km per charge.
The Foton EAuman 2554 will also be operating , which has a 350 kWh battery, with a range of around 220 km per charge.
“These electric trucks can carry between 24 and 25 tons of cargo, a figure that complies with the gross and axle weight limits established by Chilean legislation, and guarantees performance comparable to that of traditional diesel trucks,” the shipping company emphasized.
During the pilot phase, both companies successfully implemented a 100% electric transportation operation, traveling more than 8,400 km in 31 trips.
“The collaboration with Sotraser is a significant step forward. Chile’s potential for electromobility in heavy-duty transport is promising, and ongoing projects demonstrate the benefits of electric trucks,” emphasized Alexis Rodríguez, Maersk’s Director of Energy Transition Execution in Latin America.
As part of its global initiative to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, Maersk has set an interim target for land transport. The company is currently exploring opportunities in Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, Panama, and Uruguay to expand these solutions.
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