CMA CGM and MPA collaborate on decarbonisation and digitalisation

An MoU was signed by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, and Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive, MPA. 

The two parties will explore the use of zero and low-carbon marine fuels such as e-methanol, e-methane and biofuels for commercial shipping. Research on technologies such as carbon capture solutions will also be undertaken. 

CMA CGM recently ordered another 10 dual fuel LNG-powered vessels and six dual fuel methanol-powered vessels. Three of these LNG vessels, which will also be e-methane ready, will be registered under the Singapore flag. 

The CMA CGM Group’s e-methane ready fleet currently consists of 29 vessels, and the group expects to have 77 vessels in service by 2026. 

Various collaboration opportunities would be explored under the MoU for greater digitalisation. These include maritime cybersecurity and just-in-time shipping, achieved through secure and seamless data exchanges for port and cargo documentation and reporting, and shipboard automation. 

CMA CGM and MPA will also explore establishing and investing in Singapore-based incubators and accelerators to grow Singapore-based marinetech startups. 

The CMA CGM Group is investing in R&D as well as in IoT, artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions, to develop smarter and more secure service offerings. ZEBOX, the startup incubator and accelerator founded in 2018 by Rodolphe Saadé, participates in this strategy by supporting startups focusing on transport, logistics and mobility, and industry 4.0. 

Globally, the CMA CGM Group has 150,000 employees, including some 880 maritime staff in Singapore, a strategic International Maritime Hub, home to the Group’s Asia-Pacific regional office, ship management entity and fleet centre. Under the MoU, CMA CGM will strengthen existing collaborations with MPA in attracting talent through maritime scholarships such as the Tripartite Maritime Scholarship. The CMA CGM Group and MPA will cooperate on new industry-wide initiatives to attract and empower the Singapore-based maritime workforce, tapping on the MPA Maritime Cluster Fund.