The CMA CGM Group's container ship, Le Vendôme, is now operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a move verified to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25% compared to traditional marine fuel oil. The vessel, with a capacity of 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), is part of the French shipping giant's fleet modernization strategy aimed at lowering its environmental impact.
LNG propulsion significantly cuts emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) by 99%, particulate matter by 91%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 92% compared to standard marine fuels. This technology represents a critical transitional step for the maritime industry, which is under increasing pressure to decarbonize its operations and meet stricter global emissions regulations.
CMA CGM has been a pioneer in adopting LNG, with Le Vendôme joining a growing fleet of dual-fuel vessels. The company states that using LNG is a practical solution available today to improve air quality and combat climate change, while it continues to invest in research for future zero-carbon fuels like green methanol and hydrogen.
The deployment of Le Vendôme supports the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030. While LNG reduces CO2 and other pollutants, it is primarily composed of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, making the management of methane slip—unburned gas escaping into the atmosphere—a key focus for engine manufacturers and operators.
