CMA CGM launches an electric inland ship in Vietnam
CMA CGM, Nike, and Gemadept have put Vietnam’s first fully electric inland ship into operation. The freighter is designed to transport over 50,000 TEU annually between Ho-Chi-Minh City and the deep-sea port of Gemalink. The battery technology comes from CATL.
The electric inland ship is intended to save approximately 778 tons of CO₂ each year.
Image: Nike
The ship connects a Nike distribution hub in Ho-Chi-Minh City with the deep-sea port of Gemalink in Cai Mep, from where goods are shipped internationally. According to Nike, the electric route is over 160 kilometers long, while other project details indicate around 180 kilometers. The transportation system is designed for an annual capacity of more than 50,000 TEUs. One TEU corresponds to a standard container about six meters long. The companies have not disclosed how many containers the ship can carry per trip.
According to reports from the online portal eurotransport.de, battery-electric operation is expected to save around 778 tons of CO₂ annually. No direct greenhouse gas emissions occur during operation. However, the published information does not clarify on what basis the projected savings were calculated.
The battery technology comes from the Chinese manufacturer CATL. The ship-based solution was developed by CMA CGM’s research and new shipbuilding departments. A full battery charge is said to take approximately four hours. No details are available yet regarding the battery capacity or the installed charging power.
Nike relies on CMA CGM for sustainable supply chains
The batteries are charged using certified electricity from renewable sources. This includes a solar power plant built specifically for the project at the Gemalink terminal, which supplies the charging infrastructure. It remains unclear what proportion of the total energy demand is met by solar power.
For Nike, the electric inland ship is part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions across its supply chain. The sports apparel manufacturer has set a goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in its extended supply chain by 35% by 2030 compared to the 2020 fiscal year. According to Nike, it has already reduced emissions from inbound and outbound goods transportation by 56% by the 2025 fiscal year compared to 2020. Factors contributing to this include reduced air freight, lower-emission ship fuel, and increased use of electric vehicles.
The direct connection between the turnaround point and the deep-sea port creates favorable conditions for electric shuttle services. The route is predictable, and the charging infrastructure can be tailored specifically to ship operations. CMA CGM sees this as a potential model for additional transport links and intends to work with its partners to explore how this concept can be applied to other regions.
It remains to be seen whether this solution can also be economically viable for other routes. The project partners have not yet released details on investment costs, battery capacity, or charging speed.