Read why CMA CGM is teaming up with this former race boat
February 18, 2020: The global shipping and logistics company, CMA CGM Group, in the first week of February announced its collaboration with the Energy Observer, the first hydrogen-powered vessel to embark on a round-the-world voyage.
February 18, 2020: The global shipping and logistics company, CMA CGM Group, in the first week of February announced its collaboration with the Energy Observer, a former race boat to embark on a round-the-world voyage.
Read three reasons why CMA CGM is teaming up with Energy observer.
1. Energy Observer uses green hydrogen
Energy Observer, a former race boat, is a floating laboratory to test alternative energy sources in extreme onshore conditions now sailing around the world. Hydrogen is a limitless energy source that generates up to 4 times more energy than coal, 3 times more than diesel. The green hydrogen used by Energy Observer is made from seawater using on-board renewable sources of electricity (solar, wind and hydropower). Producing and burning hydrogen does not result in any greenhouse gas or fine particle emissions.
“CMA CGM will contribute its industrial expertise to this floating lab, in order to promote the use of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel source for the shipping industry in the years to come,” says the release.
Victorien Erussard, founder and captain, Energy Observer said “Leader in the shipping energy transition, CMA CGM is a key partner in our quest for clean transport. With CMA CGM’s huge experience in the shipping industry, our respective engineers and our technology partners, we have every chance of achieving our goals, which are ambitious but increasingly realistic. We are all driven by the same passion for technology and the desire to develop alternative energy solutions. The sea is something we can all share, and it is time to share our skills in order to protect the ocean, our favourite environment. We are delighted to be joining the 500-plus vessels in the CMA CGM fleet.”
2. To industrialise new energy solutions
The partnership deals with the development of cleaner and more sustainable energies to eliminate CO2 emissions, greenhouse gases and air pollutants. It aims to experiment, test and develop energy solutions based on hydrogen, solar, tidal and wind power.
CMA CGM and Energy Observer R&D experts will pool their expertise and knowledge to develop technological solutions capable of limiting the environmental impact of shipping. The mobilization of CMA CGM will make possible the industrialization of new energy solutions tested on board this floating smart grid.
CMA CGM will also contribute its shipping and logistics expertise to Energy Observer. The Energy Observer village will be made from containers converted and transported by CMA CGM with the large-
scale operational support from the whole CMA CGM network around the world. It will travel the globe, presenting the latest technological innovations to the largest possible number of people and raising awareness about ecological transition issues among all audiences.
Tanya Saadé Zeenny, Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, said: “CMA CGM is joining forces with Energy Observer to accelerate the development of tomorrow’s energy solutions, particularly hydrogen. Our partnership will mobilize all of CMA CGM’s know-how. Our teams of engineers and R&D experts are already working and our network around the world will be strongly mobilized to ensure the logistical support of Energy Observer's worldwide ports of call.”
CMA CGM is strategic partner of @Energy_Observer, the first #hydrogen-powered vessel to embark on a round-the-world voyage.
We asked @VicErussard, captain of #EnergyObserver, to tell us what it means to partner with a pioneer in the #EnergyTransition of the #Shipping industry... pic.twitter.com/jCNygfi3Xp
3. To reduce CMA CGM’s CO2 emissions
Between 2005 and 2015, the group reduced its CO2 emissions per container transported by 50%, and it has set itself the target of reducing it by a further 30% between 2015 and 2025.
CMA CGM’s efforts to reduce emissions:
▪ Use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for large-capacity vessels. LNG reduces sulphur oxide and fine particulate emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85% and CO2 emissions by around 20%
▪ None of its vessels will use the Northern Sea Routes in order to preserve the fragile and unique ecosystems of the Arctic
▪ The world's first partnership to successfully test a latest-generation biofuel, made from recycled vegetable oils and forest residues, that reduces CO2 emissions by 80% over the entire life cycle
▪ The development of eco-technologies on the Group's fleet to improve its performance and reduce energy consumption: optimization of bows’ shape for better hydrodynamic efficiency, innovations on the propellers and the engines to reduce fuel and oil consumption
▪ The creation of a Fleet Center to which all the Group's vessels (506) are connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This unique system in the maritime transport industry makes it possible to optimize shipping routes (including by reducing speeds) in order to combine operational efficiency, safety and fuel consumption optimization, thus reducing CO2 emissions.
▪ The launch of an international coalition for the energy of tomorrow in order to federate all transport and logistics players. Supported by the French President, this high-level coalition is working on the development of clean energies for carbon-free transport.
To learn more about Energy Observer watch: