Vietnam has launched its first fully electric barge, a 180‑km round‑trip service that can move over 50,000 TEUs each year. The project is seen as a key step toward decarbonising the country’s supply chains.

The barge links Nike’s inland drop‑off point in Ho Chi Minh City with the Gemalink deep‑sea terminal in Cai Mep. It runs on batteries that are recharged with certified renewable electricity from a solar farm at Gemalink.

According to CMA CGM, the electric barge is expected to avoid about 778 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. By carrying more than 50,000 TEUs annually, it offers a lower‑carbon alternative to road transport.

The service combines the electric barge, a dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable energy, an integrated system developed by CMA CGM together with Nike and Gemadept. The charging station at Gemalink is supplied by the on‑site solar farm, and the batteries are supplied by CATL.

CMA CGM and its partners say the model could be replicated in other locations and adapted to different customer supply chains, helping Vietnam transition to low‑carbon logistics. This demonstrates how shipping companies, customers and terminal operators can work together for practical, scalable solutions.

The launch proves that renewable‑powered inland water transport can dramatically cut emissions while handling large cargo volumes. It may become a blueprint for greener supply chains across Vietnam.