French shipping company CMA CGM has launched the electric river container ship Electra in Vietnam, which transports Nike shipments between the inland area of Ho Chi Minh City and the maritime port of Cai Mep. The vessel, with a capacity of 182 TEU, uses battery power on a route of 180 kilometers, wi
French shipping company CMA CGM has launched the electric river container ship Electra in Vietnam, which transports Nike shipments between the inland area of Ho Chi Minh City and the maritime port of Cai Mep. The vessel, with a capacity of 182 TEU, uses battery power on a route of 180 kilometers, with its batteries having a capacity of approximately 8,000 kWh, which can be recharged or quickly replaced during port operations.
Development of Electric Shipping in Regional and European Context
The project in Vietnam is the first of its kind on local inland waterways and simultaneously a pilot project by CMA CGM, which is considering deploying similar electric vessels on European waterways, including the Rhine, Seine, and Rhône. Compared to standard diesel vessels, the initial investment in an electric ship is approximately twice as high. Economic returns mainly depend on securing long-term contracts and the availability of charging infrastructure.
Collaboration with Nike and the Vietnamese port operator Gemadept has enabled not only the introduction of emission-free electric propulsion during navigation but also the implementation of charging infrastructure utilizing renewable energy sources. The frequency and scale of the voyages have not yet been disclosed; however, Nike has committed to utilizing most of the vessel’s capacity for eight years, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the project.
Source: Systémy Logistiky
← All news