CMA CGM Adds Second Methanol-Powered Vessel ‘Argon’ to Its Fleet

CMA CGM has expanded its alternative-fuel fleet with the recent delivery of the CMA CGM Argon, a 13,000 TEU container ship equipped with a dual-fuel methanol engine. Built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Mokpo, South Korea, the Argon is the second in a series of twelve methanol-powered vessels commissioned by the shipping group.

Registered under the Maltese flag, the vessel joins CMA CGM’s growing lineup of lower-emission ships as part of its wider strategy to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. Methanol, while not entirely carbon-free, offers a potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 25% compared to conventional marine fuels, making it a transitional option in the shipping sector’s broader decarbonisation efforts.

The CMA CGM Iron, the first vessel in this series, was delivered in March. The remaining ten ships are expected to join the fleet progressively through 2025 and 2026.

This latest delivery reflects the company’s ongoing investment in alternative fuel technologies, as CMA CGM aims to meet its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The use of methanol in large commercial vessels is increasingly being explored as a viable mid-term solution as the industry navigates stricter emissions regulations and evolving fuel infrastructure.