First electric barge powered by renewable energy launched in Vietnam

The barge connects Nike's inland drop-off location in Ho Chi Minh City (former Binh Duong Province), with Gemalink's deep-sea terminal in Cai Mep, covering a 180km round trip.

Powered by batteries and recharged with certified renewable electricity, the barge is expected to avoid about 778 tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year. It is designed to transport more than 50,000 TEUs annually, offering a lower-carbon alternative to road transport.

The integrated system combines the electric barge, dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable energy from a solar farm at Gemalink. Developed by CMA CGM's New Build and R&D teams, the barge uses battery technology from CATL and takes about four hours to recharge.

Its dedicated charging infrastructure at Gemalink is supplied by a solar farm developed at the terminal, creating an integrated solution that combines low-emission transportation with renewable energy production.

Christine Cabau, executive vice-president of assets and operations at CMA CGM, said the project showed how shipping companies, customers and terminal operators could work together to develop practical, lower-carbon transport solutions.

"Decarbonizing global supply chains requires moving beyond ambition to deliver concrete, scalable solutions. This fully electric barge is a powerful example of what can be achieved when shipping companies, customers and terminal operators combine their expertise and commitment. Together with Nike and Gemadept, we are demonstrating that innovative, lower-carbon inland transportation solutions are already within reach. Now, CMA CGM aims to build on this success to accelerate their deployment across other markets and supply chains," Cabau said.

The project highlights the potential of inland waterways to provide more sustainable ways to transport goods and improve supply chains' environmental performance. The partners said the model could be replicated in other locations and adapted to different customer supply chains.

Do Cong Khanh, deputy chief executive officer of Gemadept Corporation and chairman of Gemalink Deep-Sea Port, said the project brought together electric transport, charging infrastructure and renewable energy.

He said the model could be expanded to support the transition towards low-carbon logistics in Vietnam.

CMA CGM has operated in Vietnam since 2006. It has five offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Quy Nhon, and more than 220 employees.