Multiple broking reports have France’s top boxline signing for another swathe of newbuilds. CMA CGM is tipped to have ordered six firm plus six option 14,000 teu ships at South Korea’s largest yard, Hyundai Heavy Industries. No price has been identified for the ships, which have a dual fuel propulsion option, and will deliver in 2020.
The dual fuel options follow on from CMA CGM’s landmark order in August last year for a series of LNG-fuelled 22,000 teu ships. CMA CGM has teamed with compatriot energy giant Total to supply LNG for its new ships.
The orders add another potential 168,000 slots to the global orderbook and follow hot on the heels of a series of giant orders from Taiwan’s Evergreen and Yang Ming this year with South Korea’s Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) also expected to sign for up to 300,000 slots worth of new ships in the next couple of months bringing container shipping’s tight supply/demand equilibrium into sharp focus once again.
