CMA CGM plans to further decarbonise Fos–Lyon corridor with introduction of electric river barge

CMA CGM has announced a project to introduce electric and hybrid barge transport on the River Rhone-Saone network connecting Marseille with inland Lyon.

A 185-metre barge with capacity of 156 TEU in envisaged, with construction to take place at a yet-to-be-specified in Europe. Deployment is expected to take place within two years, offering annual capacity of 12,000 TEU. Battery charging stations are under study, jointly with Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), at Lyon and Arles

The move coincides with the decision by the consortium that operates the Lyon river terminal, which includes CMA CGM, to embark of a two-year, €40 million modernisation of the facility.

By 2023, CMA CGM aims to double its total multimodal volumes between France’s second and third largest cities to 100,000 TEU by river and 60,000 TEU by rail.  Overall, some 80% of traffic between Marseille and Lyon currently moves by road, with only 15% by rail and 5% by river, causing considerable congestion and emissions. 

Separately, CMA CGM took possession of its 400th owned vessel, the ‘CMA CGM Monte Cristo’, late last month. The vessel is the first in a series of six 15,000 TEU methanol container ships, as part of the Group’s ongoing decarbonisation strategy, and has begun operating on the BEX2 - Phoenician Express service connecting North China with the Levant and Adriatic Sea.