CMA CGM, as a shipping company, has recently launched a new electric barge in Vietnam. This barge is designed to support Nike's efforts to reduce carbon in the supply chain. The project, announced in December 2024, combines an electric barge with a dedicated charging station at the deep-sea terminal Gemalink in Cai Mep.
Details of the Electric Barge and Its Benefits
The designed barge is capable of carrying over 50,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually and will operate between Nike's unloading site in Ho Chi Minh City and Gemalink port. The round trip distance for this barge is approximately 112 miles. Nike has an eight-year agreement with CMA CGM and is committed to filling 90 percent of the barge's capacity. By providing a low-carbon alternative, this barge is expected to reduce about 778 tons of CO2 pollutants annually.
Investment and Future Outlook
CMA CGM has stated that the initial investment in this electric barge is nearly double the cost of a similar diesel ship. The project depends on infrastructure and long-term customer commitments. However, CMA CGM believes that this barge represents the potential of inland waterways to provide more suitable options for transporting goods while improving the environmental performance of supply chains.
Christian Cabau, Executive Vice President of Assets and Operations at CMA CGM, stated: "Reducing carbon in global supply chains requires providing tangible and scalable solutions. This fully electric barge is a strong example of what can be achieved."
This barge has been designed in collaboration with CMA CGM's research and development teams and the Chinese company CATL for battery technology. Additionally, the company has partnered with the Jining Energy Group in China for energy supply. The barge was ordered in March 2025 and is set to be built by Shandong Shinnening Shipbuilding in China. This 80-meter (262-foot) barge, designed with a capacity of approximately 180 TEU, operates entirely on battery power and can be charged in four hours using verified renewable electricity.
