Photos: World’s Largest LNG-Powered Container Ship Makes Record-Breaking Maiden Visit At Hamburg

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), reached Hamburg, Germany’s largest port for the first time. The CMA CGM Group’s new flagship, named after CMA CGM founder and visionary Jacques Saadé, arrived today at the Port of Hamburg and will play a key role in the regular traffic between Asia and Germany.

A record-breaking ship

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the largest containership in the world with a capacity of 23,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent containers) powered by LNG, arrived today in Hamburg as her third European port of call. The CMA CGM Group’s flagship, which set a new world record when she left Singapore with a load of 20,723 full containers aboard, crossed the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, and successfully continued her journey to Northern Europe.

Image Credits: CMA CGM Group

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE joined the Group’s fleet on September 22nd in a ceremony held in Shanghai and is currently making her maiden voyage on the Group’s iconic French Asia Line (FAL 1) connecting Asia to Europe. The line provides a weekly service comprising 13 calls over 84 days.

LNG, a ground-breaking choice that aims to preserve air quality and energy of the future

In November 2017, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, made the ground-breaking decision to fit the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE and her 8 sister ships with an LNG-powered engine, a first in the shipping industry for vessels of their size. This decision demonstrated the CMA CGM Group’s resolve to champion the energy transition in the shipping sector.

Image Credits: CMA CGM Group

LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulphur dioxide and fine particle emissions and of 85% in nitrogen oxide emissions, surpassing the requirements of current regulations. LNG also provides an initial response to the challenge of tackling climate change. Moreover, an LNG-powered vessel also emits up to 20% less CO2 than conventional fuel-powered systems. This technology is one of the initial ways in which the CMA CGM Group plans to meet its target of being carbon-neutral by 2050.

Packed full of innovations and the product of 7 years’ research and development by CMA CGM’s experts

This innovative new class of ships, which measures 400 meters in length with a 61-meter overall beam and a height of 78 meters, is the product of 7 years’ research and development by CMA CGM’s experts. The new class features state-of-the-art technologies, such as path prediction, “smart eye” projection technologies, and augmented reality screens to assist the captain and crew.

Image Credits: CMA CGM Group

Built for performance, they come with a straight-shaped hull with an integrated bulb, redesigned propellers and rudder blades, along with the Becker Twisted Fin®, which improves performance by optimizing water flow and significantly reducing energy consumption. Thanks to this new system, the CMA CGM Group’s new vessels will deliver a 4% reduction in CO2 emissions. In parallel, the vessels will use a smart system to manage the ventilation of the refrigerated containers carried in the holds.

Port of Hamburg – A key hub for CMA CGM with excellent transshipment and hinterland connections

Ever since the first CMA CGM ship called at the Port of Hamburg in 1983, the Group’s presence in Germany’s largest port has grown continuously. CMA CGM has been a major customer of the Port of Hamburg for many years and is accountable for a large part of the annual handled volume through its numerous liner services represented here. Strategically located, the port offers excellent transhipment opportunities, especially to Scandinavia and the Baltics. Finally, the port’s exceptional hinterland access by rail enables the CMA CGM Group to offer excellent intermodal solutions to its customers and to connect the rest of the country with its deep-sea services.

Image Credits: CMA CGM Group

The significance of Hamburg for CMA CGM is also evident in the close relationship between the city and CMA CGM founder Jacques Saadé. Jacques Saadé, who has been awarded one of the highest decorations of the City of Hamburg, the Admiralitäts-Portugaleser, is a recognized industry pioneer with great reputation in Hamburg who led CMA CGM to become one of the key players in the port.

Image Credits: CMA CGM Group

On the occasion of the arrival of the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, Peter Wolf, Managing Director of CMA CGM Germany, states: “The arrival of the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE is a significant event, not only for CMA CGM but also for the City of Hamburg. This state-of-the-art ship carries the name of Jacques Saadé, a great visionary and pioneer who has always had close ties with Hamburg and made CMA CGM one of the largest customers of the port. Moreover, the ship stands for our ambitious sustainability goals and our commitment to be a forerunner in the shipping industry’s energy transition.”

Reference: cmacgm-group.com

Source: Maritime Shipping News