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The CMA CGM Group, in a tribute to their founder Jacques Saadé, on Wednesday, has launched the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Marseille, France.
With a capacity of 23,000 TEU, CMA CGM becomes the first maritime shipping company to choose LNG to power its ultra-large containerships. Also, the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE is the first of nine French-flagged, 23,000 TEU, LNG powered containerships.
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, during the launch event, said, “With the launching of the first 23,000-TEU ship powered by Liquified Natural Gas, we demonstrate that energy transition can be effectively successful in our industry if all the players work together. It paves the way to a global shipping approach where economic growth and competitiveness can coexist with sustainability and the fight against climate change.”
Earlier in 2017, Rodolphe Saadé announced to order a series of nine 23,000-TEU containerships that would be the world’s first-ever to be powered by liquefied natural gas.
These new vessels will join the Group’s fleet in 2020 on the French Asia Line (Asia-Northern Europe) and will be registered in the French International Register (RIF), confirming the Group’s commitment to operating under the French flag.
In addition, the nine newbuilds will feature a state-of-the-art bridge design, the world’s first to deliver four major innovations to assist the Captain and crew- a tactical display, a path prediction system, a smart eye system and augmented reality screens.
Moreover, the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE will also be equipped with a smart system to manage ventilation for the reefer containers carried in the hold.
