СMA CGM Expands Inland Container Transport Between Fos and Lyon with Electric Barges
CMA CGM has announced the launch of an electric and hybrid inland barge project on the Fos–Lyon corridor, strengthening multimodal flows along the Mediterranean–Rhône–Saône axis. The initiative runs alongside a €40 million upgrade program for the Lyon Rhône Terminal (LRT).
The electric barge is expected to enter service within two years and will be capable of transporting up to 12,000 TEU annually. The 185-meter vessel, with a capacity of 156 TEU, will be built in Europe for delivery in 2028. The project was unveiled in Lyon in the presence of France’s Minister of Transport.
CMA CGM is in advanced discussions with river operator Combronde to jointly operate and commercialize the service. The group is also collaborating with Compagnie Nationale du Rhône to develop charging infrastructure in Lyon and Arles, supported by regional authorities and EU funding programs.
Under a 30-year sub-concession awarded in April 2025, LRT modernization aims to increase river and rail volumes along the Fos–Lyon axis. By 2030, CMA CGM targets 100,000 TEU via inland waterways and 60,000 TEU by rail in Lyon.
The initiative is positioned as a key component of logistics decarbonization in France, with river transport reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to road haulage while easing congestion on the A7 motorway.