CMA CGM Christens World’s Largest Containership (Belgium)

The CMA CGM Group announced the christening of the world’s largest containership, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO (16 000 TEU), today at the Container Terminal of Zeebrugge, in presence of her godmother, Mrs. Naila Saadé, President of the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation and wife of Mr. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

For this event, will be present on board, Mr Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Hilde Crevits, Minister for Social Mobility and Public Work, Mr Karl Decaluwe, Governor, and Mr Joachim Coens, President of the Port of Zeebrugge.

Symbol of the pioneer spirit of the CMA CGM Group inspired by Jacques R. Saadé, the new 16 000 TEU vessel, owned by CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag.

Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, the giant of the seas displays exceptional dimensions: 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters.

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is the first of a series of three 16 000 TEU vessels, that will all be named after great explorers. The delivery of the two next vessels is expected in 2013.

It is with great pride that the CMA CGM Group launches the CMA CGM MARCO POLO. It demonstrates the expertise of the Group’s teams, who are able to handle not only the very technical piloting of the ship but also its commercial operations. The entire network of 400 agencies around the world is active to ensure the successful launching of this ship. This launching reinforces the Group’s strategy, which began 20 years ago, with the opening of its own offices in China, and continues today with 34 services going from China to Europe, to North and South America, to Australia and Africa, i.e. one sailing every 5 hours.

In line with the sustainable development policy of the Group, CMA CGM MARCO POLO is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies:

• An electronically controlled engine allowing significantly reduced consumption of fuel (-3% on average) and of lube oil (-25%)
• A twisted leading-edge rudder improving the hydrodynamics of the vessel (optimisation of the water flow), and significantly reducing energy expenditures as well as CO2 emissions.
• A Pre-Swirl Stator® allowing the straightening of the water flow upstream from the propeller in order to improve its productivity. Combined with the twisted leading-edge rudder, this innovation optimizes the hydrodynamics of the vessel and makes it possible to reduce by 2 to 4% the consumption of energy and atmospheric emissions.
• An “Exhaust Gas Bypass” system, which improves the energetic efficiency of the vessel, reducing the fuel consumption by 1.5% at low speeds.
• An optimized hull design allowing to significantly improve the propulsion of the vessel into the water.
• A ballast water treatment system under UV lamps, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the oceans by not discharging chemicals into the seawater.

Moreover, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is also equipped with five passenger cabins, exclusively reserved for cargo cruises.

[mappress]

CMA CGM, December 18, 2012