CMA CGM dual-fuel methanol ship calls at Khalifa Port

The CMA CGM Iron became the first dual-fuel methanol containership sailing to Abu Dhabi having called at CMA Terminals Khalifa Port.

CMA CGM dual-fuel methanol ship calls at Khalifa Port

The CMA CGM ship built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries of Korea is a dual-fuel vessel able to run both on conventional and alternative fuels such as bio-methanol and e-methanol.

The CMA CGM Iron, which has a container capacity of 13,000 TEUs, is the first of 12 new dual-fuel methanol vessels planned by CMA CGM, which is also planning to launch the Cobalt, Argon, Platinum, Mercury, Helium, Krypton, Thorium, Osmium, Silver, Copper, and Gold dual-fuel vessels this year and in 2026.

The CMA CGM Iron made its call in Abu Dhabi as part of CMA CGM’s CIMEX1 service, which connects Asia to the Middle East Gulf region.

CMA Terminals Khalifa Port is a joint venture between CMA CGM unit CMA Terminals (70 per cent) and AD Ports Group (30 per cent). With two berths totaling 800 metres in length, and a depth of 18.5 metres, the terminal is equipped to accommodate and handle the world’s largest containerships

Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group, added: “The arrival of the first dual-fuel methanol vessel at Khalifa Port marks a significant milestone in our journey towards Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

“It underscores the shared ambition of the CMA CGM Group and AD Ports Group to position CMA Terminals Khalifa Port as a sustainable, cutting-edge infrastructure, delivering optimal service and strengthening its role as a key hub connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Indian subcontinent.”

Last week, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) published a new Technical Reference (TR) 129 on Methanol Bunkering through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC).