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The CMA CGM Group said it will no longer carry plastic waste on any of its ships worldwide beginning June 1 as part of its environmental protection initiatives.
In a statement, CMA CGM noted that the "landmark decision" in the shipping industry is meant to protect the oceans and its biodiversity.
"With the decision that it will no longer transport plastic waste on board its ships, CMA CGM will prevent this type of waste from being exported to destinations where sorting, recycling or recovery cannot be assured," the French container loner said. "The Group has thus decided to take practical steps where it has the operational capability to do so, heeding the urgent calls made by certain NGOs."
Recycling firms export plastic garbage because it is cheaper than recycling and disposing of it in their own countries. However, the waste usually ends up in underdeveloped countries where there is limited and very little control on how these waste are handled.
Low-paying garbage cargoes aided shipping lines in filling ships on backhaul routes from western countries, which are typically underutilized.
Environmental organisations have reported a rapid increase in plastic waste exports over the years.
Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group made the announcement on the company's ban on carrying plastic waste during the One Ocean Summit organised by French President Emmanuel Macron.
