TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy leader, and the CMA CGM Group, a world-renowned provider of sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, have signed a strategic agreement to establish a 50/50 joint venture focused on developing and operating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering solution at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the companies’ shared commitment to accelerating the decarbonization of maritime transport.
Strengthening Europe’s LNG Bunkering Infrastructure
Under the terms of the new partnership, the joint venture will introduce a new 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunker vessel by the end of 2028. This vessel will be based in Rotterdam and jointly operated by CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, offering reliable and efficient LNG bunkering services to a wide range of vessels across the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) corridor-including those operated by CMA CGM and other international shipping companies.
The new joint venture will leverage TotalEnergies’ existing infrastructure in the ARA region, where the company has been operating the 18,600 m³ Gas Agility LNG bunker vessel since 2020. By integrating the new vessel into this established network, the partnership will deliver greater flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency to meet growing demand for cleaner marine fuel.
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Securing Long-Term LNG Supply to Power Cleaner Shipping
In support of CMA CGM’s ambition to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050, the joint venture will be backed by a long-term LNG supply agreement. Beginning in 2028 and continuing through 2040, TotalEnergies will supply up to 360,000 tons of LNG per year to fuel CMA CGM’s expanding fleet of dual-fuel LNG-powered vessels, expected to grow to 123 ships by 2029.
“We are proud to further contribute, alongside a partner like CMA CGM, to the development of an LNG bunkering supply chain in one of Europe’s leading port hubs. LNG is today the most mature and immediately available solution to reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport. This strategic partnership not only strengthens our position as a major player in LNG bunkering but also illustrates the shared commitment of two leading French companies to actively support the energy transition,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
“With this joint venture, CMA CGM and TotalEnergies are taking a new step to support the energy transition in shipping. For the first time, a shipping company and an energy provider will jointly operate an LNG bunkering vessel, based in the port of Rotterdam. It is a concrete way to scale up alternative fuels and accelerate the decarbonization of global trade,” said Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group.