The French shipping group CMA CGM, in collaboration with sportswear manufacturer Nike and Gemadept, has unveiled a fully electric inland waterway vessel for container transport in Vietnam.
The project aims to reduce emissions from hinterland transport and make Nike’s supply chain more climate-friendly. The battery-powered inland vessel connects a Nike transhipment site in Ho Chi Minh City with the Gemalink deep-water terminal in Cai Mep. The round trip covers a distance of 180 km. According to the companies, the vessel is designed for an annual transport capacity of more than 50,000 TEU.
No direct greenhouse gas emissions are produced during the journey. In total, the use of the electric inland vessel is expected to save around 778 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The new route thus represents a lower-emission alternative to road transport.
Batteries and solar power for operation
The inland vessel was developed by CMA CGM’s newbuild and research departments. It utilises battery technology from the Chinese manufacturer CATL. According to the company, the batteries can be charged within around four hours.
The necessary charging infrastructure is located at the Gemalink terminal and is supplied with certified electricity from renewable energy sources. The project includes a solar power system at the terminal, developed specifically for the energy supply.
CMA CGM sees the combination of electric inland waterway transport, charging infrastructure and renewable energy as a model for other transport corridors. The shipping group states that it is examining the extent to which the solution can be applied to other markets and supply chains.
CMA CGM is active in Vietnam for over 30 years
The CMA CGM Group has been present in Vietnam since 1989 and currently operates five offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Haiphong, Da Nang and Quy Nhon, employing more than 550 staff. The group operates 29 weekly services to seven ports across the country and, through CEVA Logistics, connects key global destinations via an intermodal network.
