Shipping gets a glimpse of the world’s first LNG-fuelled megamax
Named after the founder of the company, CMA CGM today celebrated the float-out of the world’s first LNG-powered megamax. The giant 23,112 teu CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, featuring a novel green livery on its bow, has been built by China’s Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard and is the first in nine that the Marseille-headquartered carrier will operate.
The new flagship of the French carrier features a state-of-the art bridge design that uses augmented reality screens to provide information such as the vessel’s turning rate, its distance from the dock and its transversal speed.
The vessels will also have a smart ventilation system that measures the concentration of CO2 and the temperature inside and outside the hold, and adapts hull ventilation accordingly to safe energy.
A Becker Twisted Fin improves the performance of the ship’s propellers by optimising water flow.
“With these nine ships, five LNG-powered 15,000 teu vessels (delivery in 2021-2022) and six LNG-powered 1,380 teu ships (three already in service) for its intra-Europe regional subsidiary Containerships, CMA CGM has clearly taken the lead when it comes to the commitment to natural gas as alternative fuel for container vessels,” Alphaliner stated in its most recent weekly report.
On Twitter today, Rodolphe Saadé, who took over from his father two years ago, urged his peers to go down the LNG propulsion path.
“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,” Saadé tweeted.
The #CMACGM Jacques Saadé paves the way to a global shipping approach where economic growth and competitiveness can live with sustainability and the fight against climate change. #EnergyTransition #LNG pic.twitter.com/y3i0m7P4Rp
— Rodolphe Saade (@RodolpheSaade) September 25, 2019
