CMA CGM adds another 2,000 TEU LNG-powered vessel to its fleet

French shipping giant CMA CGM has taken delivery of the final vessel in a series of ten LNG-powered 2,000 TEU ships, built by the HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan, South Korea.

The shipowner announced the delivery of CMA CGM Esculiar via social media on January 7, 2025.

As informed, the newbuild departed Ulsan on December 24, 2024, and arrived in Shanghai, China, on December 28, 2024, where it joined the CNC CV8 service, connecting Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

The first ship in this series, CMA CGM Mermaid, was delivered to CMA CGM in February 2024. Vessels CMA CGM Sintra, CMA CGM Altamira and CMA CGM Tivoli joined the shipping giant’s fleet months later.

These ships are 204.29 meters long and 29.6 meters wide which is said to improve their hydrodynamic and aerodynamic performance. Reportedly, the design also features an almost inverted straight bow with an integrated bow bulb aimed at better hydrodynamic performance to reduce fuel consumption by 15% per trip.

Powered by 12 MW MAN dual-fuel LNG engines, the vessels can also carry biogas (-67% eq. CO2) produced from bio-waste and are convertible to e-methane (-85% eq. CO2) produced from decarbonized hydrogen.

The newbuilds are also equipped with an alternator coupled to the main propulsion engine, which will provide the energy needed to power the onboard electrical installations once at sea.

The fleet has been designed in cooperation with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Danish engineering firm Odense Marine Technique (OMT). French containment specialist GTT also worked on the project for the design and conception of the gas chain and storage tank.