CMA CGM Bahia makes eco-friendly debut at Portonave

Portonave port terminal welcomed the CMA CGM Bahia for the first time on Monday (5), a dual-fuel container ship primarily fueled by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Following the schedule of the service SEAS 1, the vessel connects Asia with the South American Coast, calling at ports such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Navegantes, and Montevideo, among others. At Portonave, following the completion of operations on Tuesday (Feb 07), 3,518 containers were moved in and out of the vessel.

Dual-fuel gas-powered vessels operate with LNG, improving air quality by avoiding up to 99% of sulfur emissions, 92% of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 91% of particles. Consequently, once refueling options are available, these ships will be capable of running on BioLNG (liquefied biomethane produced from bio-waste) and e-methane (synthetic methane produced from decarbonized hydrogen),  carbon-neutral fuel sources. The unique design of these vessels, featuring a wind deflector at the bow to enhance aerodynamics, can further reduce CO2 emissions by 2%.

The new vessel, which commenced operations in 2023, is part of the French shipping company’s new generation of sustainable ships, measuring 336 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and with a capacity of 13,200 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). It is part of a series of investments by the CMA CGM group, a global provider of maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions. It marks a significant advancement for the port sector, representing progress towards more sustainable navigation.

To meet market demand and address environmental issues, Portonave approved quay adjustments to accommodate larger vessels, up to 400 meters in length. It also aims to install cold ironing to power two ships simultaneously with electricity, thereby reducing emissions of pollutants.

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