Monday, June 23, 2025
Home News New deal between CMA CGM and Panalpina

New deal between CMA CGM and Panalpina

Panalpina, the world’s fourth biggest ocean freight forwarder by transport volumes, and CMA CGM, one of the world’s leading shipping groups, have signed a sustainability agreement aimed at reducing their respective carbon emissions by 2025. As of 2020, newbuild LNG-powered mega-vessels with a capacity of 22,000 twenty-foot containers (TEUs) will help achieve the environmental goals.

Aiming at responsible development in ocean freight, Panalpina and CMA CGM have signed a sustainability agreement for maritime transport.

“Partnering with strategic partners such as CMA CGM that are technology driven and share a similar vision of sustainability, and using them to transport our customers’ cargo will help us achieve our ambitious sustainability goals,” says Lindsay Zingg, Panalpina’s global head of quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE). Panalpina is one of only 140 companies globally with approved Science Based Targets where the company – amongst other targets – commits to reduce CO2 emissions from subcontracted transportation by 22 percent by 2025 (baseline 2013).

CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest box ship carriers, aims to reduce carbon emissions per standard container (TEU) transported by 30 percent by 2025 (baseline 2015). “We are determined to reach that goal by investing in highly fuel-efficient vessels, making constant technical improvements, and retrofitting our fleet,” says Julien Topenot, head of environment and sustainability at CMA CGM.

LNG-powered mega-vessels to reduce carbon emissions

Marseilles-based CMA CGM, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, was the first shipping company to order container ships propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Nine LNG-powered mega-vessels or ULCVs (Ultra Large Container Vessels) with a capacity of 22,000 TEUs are scheduled for delivery in 2020. “Compared to current fuel-powered vessels, our new LNG vessels will enable a reduction of up to 25 percent in CO2. They will also generate 99% less sulphur emissions, 99% less fine particles and 85% less nitrogen oxides emissions,” explains Topenot.

“We are already using CMA CGM’s most efficient and environmentally-friendly services. With this new agreement, both Panalpina and CMA CGM reinforce their commitment to sustainability,” adds Zingg.

In 2017, Panalpina transported 1.5 million TEUs, making it the fourth biggest ocean freight forwarder in the world.

In the same year, with a fleet of approximately 500 vessels including energy-efficient ships such as the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and more than 200 services that cover all of the world’s seas, CMA CGM transported 19 million TEUs.

For the environment and more

The scope of the sustainability agreement between CMA CGM and Panalpina goes beyond the reduction of the environmental impact via eco-friendly transport solutions. The companies have committed to collaborate, innovate and improve in four key areas: the environment, ethics and compliance, social responsibility, and community. Initiatives where CMA GGM and Panalpina intend to work more closely together include occupational health and safety programs, local sourcing as well as emergency relief and support.

 

 





Latest Posts

We Asked AI: Container Ships in Ancient Worlds

Container Ships in Ancient Worlds Imagine a colossal container ship gliding through the Nile as pyramids rise in the distance, or docking at a bustling...

Scenario planning for Mediterranean ports growth amid ongoing tensions

The sustained growth of Mediterranean port traffic, driven by increased Asia-Europe trade and the Red Sea crisis, presents a dynamic landscape for global shipping. Assuming...

Thessaloniki port Revival: Balkan gateway reawakens

 For decades, Thessaloniki was a port with strategic promise but structural limitations, ideally located at the crossroads of Europe and the Balkans, yet constrained...

Vigor Marine Group’s consolidation signals US push to counter China’s shipbuilding dominance

In a bold move to strengthen America’s maritime capabilities, five leading US ship repair and marine service providers have united under a single banner. This...

AI reshape shipping operations

The integration of artificial intelligence into shipping operations, is poised to transform competition in the maritime industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability while...
error: Content is protected !!