A world first as CMA CGM trials new eco-containers

Sunday, 14 November 2010 21:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

CMA CGM was the first to launch in 2005 the Bamboo-floored eco-containers. The Group is currently running a test for new eco-containers manufactured with non-wood composite flooring, the Eko-Flor.

In line with its strong commitment to environmental protection, CMA CGM Group has been implementing for several years modern eco-conception techniques in order to avoid the harmful impact of container floorings production on rainforest deforestation.

Developed by the Canadian Company Conforce International, in partnership with Bayer, the new Eko-Flor container flooring, made of advanced reinforced compound material, presents numerous advantages: A lowest weight floor that reduces energy used in transportation; A complete resistance to all type of products (water, oil, odor, microbes…); A low total energy required for production; An increased container service life and A re-usable and recyclable floor.

These new containers will be « Light Steel », meaning that they are manufactured with highly resistant high tensile steel that allows a gain of 550kg per 40’ High Cube container thus reducing the energy used for transportation.

CMA CGM Group will be running tests for the next 6 months, the containers being deployed on the Asia-Europe Lines.

“Environmental protection is one of the Group’s priorities as well as one of its customers. We therefore are always looking for new innovative and efficient solutions. We are pioneers in the development of eco-containers and we hope we will validate this test rapidly to be able to expand our fleet with eko-flor containers”, explains Alexis Michel, Senior Vice President Container Logistics.

CMA CGM Group’s container fleet today comprises 130.000 eco-containers including Bamboo-floored, Light Steel containers and low consumption reefers.