Largest Ever LNG Powered Container Ship Takes to the Sea This Week

FRANCE – WORLDWIDE – The joining of the fleet of the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, the largest LNG-powered container ship in the world, was marked by a first-of-its-kind digital naming ceremony that saw the shipyard's representatives in Shanghai and CMA CGM Group's management in Marseille share an emotional landmark moment in their common history.

In November 2017, Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, decided to equip this series of container ships with LNG-powered engines, a first in the history of shipping for Ultra Large Container Vessels. The company says this evidences its commitment towards driving forward maritime transport’s energy transition.

CMA CGM says that currently LNG is the most advanced solution when it comes to preserving air quality. It enables a 99% reduction in sulphur dioxide and fine particle emissions, and an 85% reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions, going well above and beyond existing regulations. LNG also emits up to 20% less CO₂ compared to traditional fuel and this technology is one of the first steps towards achieving the group’s ambitious 2050 objective of carbon neutrality.

The series of nine such class vessels is packed with innovations, the result of a long cooperation between CMA CGM’s research and development experts and industrial partners. The bridge boasts the latest embedded digital technologies to assist the commander and crew, in particular for port manoeuvres. The vessels also feature a redesigned straight bow with an integrated bulb, a redesigned rudder, and a redesigned propeller all of which substantially improve the vessels hydrodynamics, thereby reducing energy consumption.

The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, along with its eight 23,000 TEU sister ships will be registered at the French International Register (FIR). They will bear the names of landmark Parisian monuments and other renowned venues and institutions from throughout the French capital (Champs Elysées, Palais Royal, Louvre, Rivoli, Montmartre, Concorde, Trocadéro, and Sorbonne).

The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé will start its maiden voyage as of September 23rd on the French Asia Line (FAL), CMA CGM Group’s most emblematic line between Asia and Northern Europe. Its rotation will lead it to the ports of Pusan in South Korea; Tianjin, Ningbo, Shanghai and Yantian, China; Singapore; Southampton, Dunkirk, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Algeciras in Europe; and Port Kelang in Malaysia. This line provides a weekly service comprising 13 calls over the course of 84 days. Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé embodies our commitment to the planet. This vessel has been enhanced with the latest technologies and is the result of 7 years of research and development. While guaranteeing the safety of our crew, it preserves air quality and will be part of our fight against global warming. It significantly improves the environmental footprint of carried goods. We have taken a big step forward. We need to go further to build transport that is even more respectful of the environment.”

Photo: The giant ship resting prior to her maiden voyage.