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Energy major Total and shipping group CMA CGM have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a deal that will see Total become CMA CGM's multifuel supplier.

As part of the deal, Total has agreed to supply CMA CGM with fuel oil with a sulphur content of 0.5%; fuel oil with a sulphur content of 3.5% for ships equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems; and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Total, said: "As a global integrated energy producer and provider present across the oil and gas value chain, we aim to offer our customers a range of multifuel solutions to meet their different needs. The new regulations require both marine fuel suppliers and shipping industry stakeholders to adapt quickly. That is why we are working hand in hand with CMA CGM, a long-standing partner."

Rodolphe Saade, Vice Chairman of CMA CGM, remarked: "With the signature of this MOU, CMA CGM is continuing the sustainable development process begun several years ago. The solutions offered by Total will enable us to further minimize the environmental impact of the Group's activities and is a next step in building a more environmentally conscious shipping industry."

In October, Bunker Index reported that CMA CGM had signed an MoU with French LNG player Engie that will see the two companies conduct research into the development of engineering specifications for a bunkering vessel adapted to LNG-powered container ships. Last year, Engie also launched Gas4Sea, a new LNG bunkering business, with partners Mitsubishi Corporation and NYK Line.

CMA CGM is also a project partner in the 'PERFECt' project, which focuses on the design of an ultra-large container ship powered by a combined gas and steam (COGAS) turbine system. The project was launched in 2015 in partnership with DNV GL, GTT, ABB, Caterpillar, and OMT.

Earlier this week, Total was said to have confirmed that it had signed an agreement with Brittany Ferries to supply LNG to the French ferry operator's newbuild vessel, which is scheduled to be launched in 2019. The vessel is slated to operate on the Portsmouth to Caen cross-Channel route, which offers three daily return sailings.

Also this week, Total has officially rebranded its bunker fuel business as Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions.