CMA CGM, ENGIE to produce 7,000 tons of biomethane, avoid 23,000 tons of CO₂

16 / 10 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

French shipping group CMA CGM and energy company ENGIE have signed a framework agreement to develop a biomethane production facility in Le Havre, France, which will supply CMA CGM’s fleet with 7,000 tons of renewable fuel annually from 2029, avoiding an estimated 23,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

The renewable fuel is expected to cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 67% compared with conventional marine fuels and can be used by CMA CGM’s LNG-powered vessels through existing infrastructure, without engine modifications.

Biomethane production, investment:

ENGIE will lead the facility’s technical design and permitting process and, subject to a final investment decision, oversee its construction and operation.

CMA CGM will invest in the project as a minority shareholder alongside ENGIE through PULSE, its energy fund dedicated to technologies and infrastructure supporting the decarbonization of transport and logistics.

The facility, expected to begin production in 2029/2030, will convert livestock waste, household biowaste and agricultural residues into biomethane. The fuel will be supplied to CMA CGM’s fleet through the European gas grid under a certified mass-balance system.

The project builds on a partnership launched by the two groups in 2021 to accelerate the energy transition.

Turning waste into agricultural inputs:

The facility is also expected to produce 100,000 tons of digestate, a nutrient-rich organic material that can be used as natural fertilizer by local farmers. It will also recover 13,000 tons of biogenic CO₂ for commercialization.

Supporting fleet decarbonization:

CMA CGM aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its activities by 2050, focusing on improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of low-carbon fuels.

By 2030, more than 200 dual-fuel vessels capable of operating on biomethane, biomethanol and e-fuels are expected to join its fleet. Securing renewable fuel supplies is central to the group’s efforts to reduce emissions from shipping operations.

Expanding European biomethane production:

The project will contribute to ENGIE’s target of reaching 10 TWh of annual biomethane production capacity in Europe by 2035, up from 1.2 TWh currently.

The two groups said the project could pave the way for further initiatives in France and across Europe, supporting renewable gas production and the decarbonization of sectors that are difficult to electrify.