CMA CGM, Nike and Vietnam-based port and logistics operator Gemadept have officially launched a fully electric barge service in Vietnam, marking a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions from inland transportation and supporting sustainable supply chains.
The electric barge connects Nike’s inland cargo drop-off location in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Binh Duong province) with Gemadept’s Gemalink deep-sea terminal in Cai Mep, covering a 180-kilometre round trip. Powered entirely by batteries and recharged using certified renewable electricity, the vessel is expected to avoid approximately 778 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Designed to transport more than 50,000 TEUs annually, the electric barge offers a lower-carbon alternative to road transportation for inland cargo movements. The integrated solution combines the electric vessel, dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable energy generated through a solar farm at Gemalink.
Developed by CMA CGM’s New Build and R&D teams, the barge incorporates battery technology supplied by CATL and can be recharged in approximately four hours. The dedicated charging infrastructure at Gemalink is supported by the terminal’s solar energy facility.
The initiative demonstrates how inland waterways can provide more sustainable alternatives for cargo transportation while improving the environmental performance of global supply chains. The partners also see potential to replicate the model in other markets and adapt it to different customer supply chains.
CMA CGM Executive Vice President Assets and Operations Christine Cabau said the project demonstrates how shipping companies, customers and terminal operators can combine their expertise to deliver practical and scalable decarbonisation solutions. The Group aims to build on the initiative and accelerate the deployment of similar solutions across other markets.
Nike Chief Sustainability Officer Cimarron Nix highlighted the importance of industry collaboration and innovation in reducing supply chain emissions, describing the project as an example of how partnerships can translate sustainability ambitions into practical solutions.
Gemadept Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Gemalink Deep-Sea Port Chairman Do Cong Khanh said integrating electric transportation, dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable energy would help advance sustainable logistics in Vietnam, with significant potential for expansion and replication.
The project also reinforces CMA CGM’s presence in Vietnam, where the Group has operated since 2006. It maintains five offices across Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang and Quy Nhon, employing more than 220 people. CMA CGM operates 29 weekly mainline services calling at seven Vietnamese ports, connecting the country to major global markets through its integrated transport network, including CEVA Logistics.
The launch marks an important milestone in the collaboration between CMA CGM, Nike and Gemadept, demonstrating the growing role of electrification, renewable energy and inland waterways in building lower-carbon logistics networks across Vietnam and Southeast Asia.