Paris (awp/afp) – The shipowner CMA CGM, which made a record net profit of 14.8 billion euros in the first half, will devote 1.5 billion to an energy fund intended to “accelerate the decarbonization of its activities”, said its CEO Rodolphe Saadé to the JDD.
“We are going to deploy a special energy fund endowed with 1.5 billion euros over five years in order to accelerate the decarbonization of our activities throughout the world”, announces the boss of the 3rd world shipowner, with 580 ships.
CMA CGM is committed to net carbon neutrality by 2050.
Thanks to this fund, the shipowner hopes to “accelerate the emergence of production units on an industrial scale for alternative fuels”.
The group which “operates 700 warehouses and around fifty port terminals” also wants to develop its energy autonomy by installing on its assets devices for “production of carbon-free energy (wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen)”, he specifies. in a press release.
“The electrification of port equipment in operation will be accelerated, wherever possible and relevant”, it is indicated.
CMA CGM recalled that it had joined forces with Energy Observer to develop “a prototype container ship dedicated to regional routes powered by liquid hydrogen”. The objective is to “allow carbon-free maritime transport on a larger scale, particularly over short distances”.
The group has also taken a stake in Neoline, a Nantes-based company which is working on a main-propelled cargo ship project “for 2024 on transatlantic routes”.
Finally, the press release specifies that CMA CGM will engage in a process of sobriety with “an energy management plan for the building stock” and an incentive for employees to use soft mobility.
Rodolphe Saadé also indicated that he would participate in the green fund promoted by the government “by allocating part of (his) commitment to joint projects”.
CMA CGM, which profited like the whole industry from the explosion in freight rates during the Covid-19 pandemic and from the logistical mess that has sent freight prices soaring since then, is among the targets. of a possible tax on “superprofits”, requested by the left opposition in France.
“I understand that the subject is put on the table”, confided Rodolphe Saadé to the JDD. “But our results are not a windfall effect. They are the fruit of our past investments, which amount to billions to offer additional transport capacity to our customers”.
The group has made several gestures in recent months, including a further reduction in its prices on August 1, with in particular a reduction in its freight rates of 750 euros per 40-foot container to mainland France and the Overseas Territories, i.e. up to 25 % of its prices, instead of the 500 euros provided for previously.
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