French ocean carrier CMA CGM and PSA Corporation, a subsidiary of the global port operator PSA International, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration with new digital solutions to reduce carbon footprint.
This agreement comes after the announcement about the successful PSA’s collaboration with another top-10 container line, Ocean Network Express (ONE), on the use of reclaimed refrigerant gas from reefer containers.
According to the MoU, CMA CGM will adopt PSA’s “Opt-E-Arrive” digital solution which is expected to enable the French company’s vessels to arrive just-in-time at berth at CMA CGM-PSA Lion Terminal (CPLT) in the port of Singapore, skipping the anchorage stop.
The solution synchronises transparent real time activities and automates data exchange between the systems of the carrier and port operator. The dynamic intelligence, therefore, enables CMA CGM vessels to optimise vessel speed to be timely for berth, according to a statement.
“PSA aims to create an Internet of Logistics through building a connected system of nodes and platforms together with our customers and partners,” said Ong Kim Pong, regional CEO Southeast Asia at PSA International, who added, “With greater visibility, closer cooperation and enhanced cargo flow with digital solutions, we can move the world together sustainably, and with greater agility and efficiency.”
CMA CGM and PSA believe this solution is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through further optimisation of bunker consumption, expecting an annualised bunker savings of 4-7% for the French company’s vessels arriving in Singapore.
Opt-E-Arrive will be complementary to CMA CGM’s existing Fleet Centers, which can be described as vessel control towers with smart decision support tools for the group’s 566 vessels and their crews.
In February this year, CMA CGM Group launched biofuel bunkering at CPLT as part of its global trial to scale-up the wider adoption of clean energy, while in March 2021, CPLT hosted Asia’s first ship-to-container ship LNG bunkering undertaken by CMA CGM in Singapore.
These actions are towards the target of CMA CGM for its LNG-powered vessels to refuel LNG during container operations in the Port of Singapore, reducing transit times and their stay in the port.
Laurent Olmeta, CEO of CMA CGM Asia Pacific, commented, “As we advance in our energy transition to be a net zero carbon company by 2050, we shall continue to pursue energy efficiency; optimise network; design containerships to progressively operate with zero-carbon energy; and develop a supply chain for new zero carbon energies.”
