CMA CGM Tests New Eco-Containers

French ocean carrier CMA CGM is conducting trials of a new eco-container manufactured with non-wood composite flooring.

The Eko-Flor container is made of advanced reinforced compound material. It was developed by Canada-based Conforce International in partnership with German chemical company Bayer.

CMA CGM, which is No. 3 on the JOC list of Top 15 Container Fleet Operators, said the Eko-Flor has many advantages including a lowest weight floor that reduces energy used in transportation and a complete resistance to all types of products including water, oil, odors and microbes.

The new container also has an increased service life with a re-usable and recyclable floor.

The Eko-Flor is manufactured with highly resistant high tensile steel that allows a gain of 500 kilograms per 40 foot high cube container, thus reducing energy used in transportation.

CMA CGM will test the Eko-Flor boxes for six months on its Asia-Europe trades.

"We are the 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," said Alexis Michel, CMA CGM Senior Vice President Logistics.

CMA CGM currently uses 130,000 eco-containers, including bamboo-floored, Light Steel containers and low consumption reefers.

-- Contact Bruce Barnard at brucebarnard47@hotmail.com.