The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, the world’s largest LNG-powered containership, has successfully completed its historic first bio-LNG bunkering operation at the Port of Rotterdam. By taking on a record-breaking 11,125 m3 of organic-waste-derived fuel, this milestone significantly accelerates the development of the Rotterdam-Asia green corridor and the global maritime transition toward net-zero emissions.
Rotterdam, Netherlands | July 10, 2026 – The maritime industry’s green transition took a monumental step forward at the Port of Rotterdam. The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, the world’s largest LNG-powered container ship, successfully completed its first bio-LNG bunkering operation, taking on a massive 11,125 cubic meters (m3) of renewable liquefied biomethane.
Conducted in partnership with TotalEnergies, on July 10, the 12-hour ship-to-ship fueling operation marks the largest bio-LNG bunkering ever recorded for a CMA CGM vessel and stands as one of the largest single bunkering operations of its kind globally.
Meet the New Flagship: CMA CGM NOTRE DAME
Commissioned in May 2026 and freshly named on July 2 in Le Havre, the NOTRE DAME is a marvel of modern naval engineering:
| Specification | Details |
| Capacity | 24,212 TEUs (including 1,600 reefer plugs) |
| Dimensions | 399 meters long, 61.3 meters wide |
| Flagship Status | Largest container ship operating under the French flag |
| Route | French Asia Line (FAL) service between Asia and Europe |
| Propulsion | Dual-fuel (LNG, Bio-LNG, and future e-methane compatible) |
A Flagship Named for Heritage: The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME pays tribute to the iconic Paris cathedral. It is the first of a planned series of ten next-generation, 24,000-TEU sister ships named after national monuments (including the Pantheon, Orsay, and Versailles) set to join the fleet by 2028.
The Bio-LNG Advantage: Cutting CO₂ by 67%
The fuel taken on in Rotterdam was produced entirely in Europe from biomethane derived from agricultural and organic waste. Unlike conventional fossil LNG, which already reduces sulfur oxides, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, Bio-LNG tackles carbon emissions head-on:
- Lifecycle reduction: It delivers at least a 67% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over its full life cycle compared to standard marine fuels.
- No infrastructure changes: It utilizes existing LNG bunkering pipelines, vessels, and storage networks, delivered via a mass balance approach.
This infrastructure compatibility allows mega-containerships to transition immediately to carbon-neutral operations without waiting decades for new physical supply chains to be built.
Fostering the European Biomethane Supply Chain & The Rotterdam-Asia Green Corridor
This landmark fueling operation is more than a single milestone; it is a proof-of-concept for the highly anticipated Rotterdam-to-Asia Green Corridor. By pulling a massive volume of bio-LNG (11,125 m3) into a single vessel, CMA CGM, TotalEnergies, and the Port of Rotterdam are proving that the infrastructure to support low-carbon maritime trade routes at scale is already operational.
Importantly, this initiative directly supports the growth of local European economies by sourcing biomethane derived strictly from regional agricultural and organic waste. Rather than simply purchasing offsets, CMA CGM is actively investing in the development of European renewable fuel value chains, helping scale up local production to meet the strict regulatory demands of the maritime sector.
Direct Heritage: The Legacy of the JACQUES SAADE
This operation is the direct evolution of a strategy laid down six years ago. In 2020, CMA CGM made waves across the global shipping industry by introducing the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s first 23,000-TEU container vessel powered by liquefied natural gas.
By building on the operational lessons of the Jacques Saade, the Notre Dame represents a highly matured ecosystem where:
- Traceability is guaranteed: Every cubic meter of bio-LNG is fully tracked to guarantee compliance with rigorous European sustainability and traceability standards.
- Mass Balance Integrity: The fuel distribution relies on a strict mass balance approach, ensuring the physical biomethane injected into the grid matches the exact green attributes claimed by the vessel.
- Fuel Diversification: The group’s strategy continues to scale beyond LNG, heavily investing in a dual-fuel fleet capable of seamlessly transitioning to synthetic e-methane, biomethane, and green methanol.
“The energy transition of shipping cannot happen in a vacuum. By securing localized, traceable bio-LNG in Europe’s premier hub, we are not just fueling a ship, we are proving that the maritime industry can directly stimulate the circular economy.”
Behind the Tech: AI and the Green Corridor
The NOTRE DAME is not just clean; it is incredibly smart. According to CMA CGM Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, the ship represents an intersection of decarbonization and artificial intelligence. The vessel’s fully digitalized bridge uses AI, augmented reality, and real-time navigation systems to assist the crew in safe maneuvering. More importantly, the software dynamically optimizes routes, speed, and energy consumption to squeeze every drop of efficiency out of its green fuel.
Building the Rotterdam-Asia Green Corridor
This bunkering operation is a foundational brick in the development of a green shipping corridor between Rotterdam and Asia. As one of the world’s leading multi-fuel bunkering hubs, the Port of Rotterdam is actively expanding its capabilities to support biofuels, green methanol, and hydrogen to help international shipping reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
CMA CGM’s Broader Horizon
This milestone builds on the pioneering strategy CMA CGM initiated in 2020 with the launch of the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE. To date, CMA CGM operates one of the world’s largest dual-fuel fleets, investing heavily in both LNG/Bio-LNG and methanol-powered vessels. Additionally, the expansion of this 10-ship French-flagged series is driving economic growth at home, with CMA CGM committing to recruit and train 135 French seafarers over the next two years to run these state-of-the-art giant vessels.
About CMA CGM
The CMA CGM Group is a global leader in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, guided by its corporate purpose: “We imagine better ways to serve a world in motion.” Present in 177 countries, the Group employs 160,000 people, including nearly 6,000 in Marseille, where its headquarters are located. As the world’s third-largest container shipping company, CMA CGM serves more than 420 ports across five continents with a fleet of over 650 vessels, carrying more than 23 million TEUs in 2024.
Through subsidiaries such as CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM AIR CARGO, and CMA Media, the Group has built an integrated global platform spanning logistics, air freight, and media, while maintaining a strong commitment to energy transition, humanitarian aid, and education worldwide.
Source: CMA CGM