CMA CGM Unveils Vietnam’s First Fully Electric River Barge in Collaboration with NIKE

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Global shipping and logistics group CMA CGM has announced a significant development in sustainable inland waterway transport with the launch of Vietnam’s first fully electric container barge. The milestone initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Southeast Asia, is supported by the creation of a solar-powered charging station at the Cai Mep port, the country’s primary container hub near Ho Chi Minh City.

The barge, set to begin operations in early 2026, will serve a 180-kilometre route between Binh Duong Province and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu in southern Vietnam. According to CMA CGM, the solution is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 778 tons annually.

Strategic Partnership and Green Infrastructure

To implement this low-emission transport solution, CMA CGM has formed a joint venture with Gemadept, a prominent Vietnamese logistics and port operator. The new entity, named Green River Transportation, will oversee the operation of the electric barge and manage broader river transport services within the Mekong Delta.

The barge itself is a result of in-house engineering by CMA Ships and the company’s research and development teams. It will draw power from a newly constructed solar farm at the Gemalink terminal in Cai Mep. The solar facility is projected to produce up to 1 gigawatt-hour of renewable energy annually, supporting zero-emission operations at the port.

NIKE Becomes First Customer for Electric Logistics Route

NIKE, a longstanding client of CMA CGM, has become the first to adopt this emissions-free logistics solution for transporting goods between its manufacturing bases in Vietnam and the Gemalink terminal. The initiative marks a step forward in creating scalable, sustainable logistics systems tailored to customer needs.

CMA CGM said the electric barge project is designed to be replicated in other countries and regions where inland waterways are critical to supply chains.

Longstanding Presence and Future Goals

Having established operations in Vietnam in 1989, CMA CGM now operates five offices, runs 29 weekly maritime services, and employs over 550 people in the country. This new project reinforces its commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure and local employment.

The launch is also a key part of CMA CGM’s broader sustainability strategy, which aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is pursuing a combination of low-carbon fuels, green technologies, and innovative transport models to meet this goal.