Commissioner Sola Meets with Senior Leadership of MSC and CMA to Discuss Environmental Issues

(L-R) Diego Aponte, President and CEO; Commissioner Sola; Capt. Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Chairman

Commissioner Louis Sola met with senior executives of containership operators Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM in their respective headquarters during a European trip earlier this month to learn how these companies are working to address ocean shipping’s environmental impact.

Captain Gianluigi Aponte (Founder and Chairman of MSC Group) and Diego Aponte (President of MSC Group) discussed MSC’s transition to using green energy fuels for their fleet and plans for achieving compliance with International Maritime Organization standards for emissions. Captain Aponte highlighted that MSC has:

Established a carbon reduction program that reduces Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the supply chain for their customers and in their own operations that they believe will serve as an accelerant for decarbonizing the industry;
Adopted sustainable biofuel usage at scale as bunkers and assists shippers in reaching their own CO2 emission reduction targets; and
Made adopting alternative fuel sources and technology, along with enhanced energy efficiency measures, the key elements of their strategy to achieve “net zero” decarbonization by 2050.

(L-R): Olivier Nivoix (Executive Vice President, Lines), Commissioner Sola, Christine Cabau Woehrel (Executive Vice President, Assets), and Patrice Bergamini (Vice President Public Affairs, Governmental Contracts & Business Development).

CMA CGM executives outlined their commitment to transitioning to green energy, an effort initiated more than 10 years ago, when they began studying the suitability of deploying Liquified Natural Gas-powered vessels. Commissioner Sola was advised that CMA CGM is pursuing initiatives that:

Support the development and production of renewable fuels, including through a $1.5 billion special fund established to accelerate decarbonization in shipping.

Accelerate the decarbonization of port terminals, warehouses, and truck fleets.
Support, trial, and launch projects at the cutting edge of innovation; and,
Pursue energy savings and improve the energy efficiency of CMA CGM employee working methods and daily mobility.

“The world’s economy depends on ocean shipping. Identifying ways in which we can continue to benefit from trade transported by vessels while reducing emissions is a priority that must be met. How the container shipping industry will decarbonize and achieve IMO mandates on decarbonization will result in significant changes in how vessels are built and the fuels they use. I was impressed by the initiatives that were shared with me during my visits with MSC and CMA CGM. How we can simultaneously sustain trade and the environment will increasingly be a focus of mine,” said Commissioner Sola.

Commissioner Sola met with leadership of CGM CMA at the company’s corporate headquarters in Marseille France and with MSC at its Geneva, Switzerland headquarters.

(L-R counterclockwise) Ammar Kanaan, Terminal Investment Limited CEO; Commissioner Sola; Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs; Diego Aponte; Capt. Gianluigi Aponte; Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

Louis E. Sola is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.

Updated September 22, 2022 to include additional information about MSC’s environmental initiatives.