Engie to build biomethane plant in France to fuel CMA CGM's fleet

PARIS, Oct 13 (Reuters) - French energy group Engie ENGIE.PA said on Tuesday it plans to develop a biomethane production facility in northern France with shipping firm CMA CGM, supporting the carrier's transition to lower-emission fuels.

Financial terms of the project, in which CMA CGM will be a minority shareholder, were not disclosed.

• Under a preliminary agreement, Engie will develop a plant near the port of Le Havre to produce 7,000 metric tons of biomethane annually, equivalent to 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh)

• The partners aim to begin production by 2029/2030, using agricultural and other organic waste, to supply CMA CGM through a mass-balance equivalent contribution

• CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, has invested in vessels powered by liquefied natural gas as the industry seeks alternatives to traditional fuel

• Engie and CMA CGM had previously planned to produce 11,000 tons of biomethane a year at Le Havre in a €150 million ($167.84 million) project using wood waste, before dropping the plans

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