French carrier CMA CGM is trialling a new eco-container, following in the footsteps of its bamboo-floored containers.

The container floors are made of a highly resistant, high-tensile steel – the Eko-Flor – developed by a Canadian company, Conforce International, in partnership with Bayer.

CMA CGM will be running tests for the next six months, using the containers on Asia-Europe services.

CMA CGM said they presented numerous advantages. The low-weight floor reduces the energy used in transport, has complete resistance to all types of products, requires a low amount of energy for production, increases container service life and is re-usable and recyclable.

Traditionally, tropical wood is used as the flooring of containers. In 2007, CMA CGM became the first carrier to use bamboo-floored units when it ordered 400teu of them in 2005.

The line ordered a further 7,000teu in 2006, after receiving positive feedback from customers and in response to fears that resources of tropical wood were dwindling, and 30,000teu more in 2007, as part of its commitment to environmental protection.

Alexis Michel, CMA CGM, Senior VP for Container Logistics, said: “Environmental protection is one of the group’s priorities. We therefore are always looking for new innovative and efficient solutions.

“We are pioneers in the development of eco-containers and hope we will validate this test rapidly to be able to expand our fleet with Eko-Flor containers.”

CMA CGM tests greener containers

Damian Brett | Wed, 3 Nov 2010