As part of its ambitious energy transition strategy, Singapore-based X-Press Feeders is taking major steps to reduce its environmental impact in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s updated regulations on CO₂ emissions. The company is investing in a new fleet of 14 dual-fuel vessels powered by certified green methanol, with the first ships already in service and full delivery expected by the end of 2026.

To manage this next-generation fleet, X-Press Feeders established its French subsidiary, Eastaway France, in 2023 and officially headquartered it in Marseille in 2024 under the leadership of Jean-François Luiggi. The new team will oversee the operations of the 14 methanol-fuelled ships, seven of which will sail under the French flag.

Jean-François Luiggi, director of Eastaway France

Founded in 1972, X-Press Feeders is a global leader in the feeder ship sector, providing container transport between major ports and smaller regional ones across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. With a fleet of around 100 medium-sized vessels, the company is now expanding its presence in Northern Europe as part of its broader decarbonisation goals.

The use of green methanol—a cleaner fuel supplied from Rotterdam—will allow X-Press Feeders to cut CO₂ emissions by at least 60 percent, while also significantly reducing nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide emissions. This investment marks a key milestone in the company’s European green strategy and supports the goals of the MARPOL Convention.

Eastaway France: Strategic Expansion in Marseille

The creation of Eastaway France was also driven by the French International Register, which offers attractive tax and regulatory incentives for shipowners. Programmes such as France’s tax-based leasing system and the tonnage tax regime made it a compelling choice for X-Press Feeders to register vessels and establish operations in France.

Jean-François Luiggi, Eastaway’s managing director, highlighted the support received from Provence Promotion in facilitating international mobility and recruitment efforts. The subsidiary currently has eight staff with plans to expand to a team of 12.

“France offers a very competitive framework for maritime companies, and Marseille provides access to an impressive talent pool and international shipping ecosystem,” said Luiggi, who brings over 25 years of experience in Marseille’s maritime sector.

Operational Deployment in Northern Europe

Six of the green methanol-powered vessels are already operating on the Green Baltic X-PRESS and Green Finland X-PRESS routes. These ships connect Rotterdam with key ports in Belgium, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, demonstrating the fleet’s effectiveness in short-distance, low-emission feeder shipping.

When fully deployed, Eastaway France will manage seven French-flagged vessels from its Marseille base—marking the first use of green methanol-powered container ships in France.

Ranked 14th globally by container transport capacity, X-Press Feeders continues to lead in environmental innovation within the feeder sector. With 400 employees worldwide and a growing commitment to sustainable shipping, the company’s latest developments signal a strong push toward decarbonisation and operational excellence in Europe.

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