CMA CGM to build a fully electric inland barge

French shipping company CMA CGM has announced plans to develop a fully electric battery-powered inland barge (e-barge).

CONCEPT: CMA CGM’s fully electric inland barge. CMA CGM

The e-barge, jointly designed by CMA CGM and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, will operate using renewable energy.

It will be recharged with electricity generated by a dedicated solar farm at Gemalink, a container terminal on Vietnam's Cai Mep River. The solar farm is expected to produce 1 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually.

Set to begin operations in 2026, the e-barge will transport goods for US footwear company Nike on a 180 km round trip between Binh Duong province and Gemalink.

Gemalink is a joint venture between Vietnam's Gemadept Corporation and CMA CGM's subsidiary, CMA Terminals.

By Tuhin Roy

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