Exclusive: CSSC, CMA CGM pen record-breaking deal for 16 ultra-large boxships worth $3 bln

In a significant development for China’s shipbuilding industry, the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and French liner heavyweight CMA CGM have inked an agreement to construct 16 large container ships worth more than 21 billion Yuan ($3.06 billion).

The order comprises of twelve 15,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered large container ships and four 23,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel powered container vessels, a CMA CGM Spokesperson confirmed to Offshore Energy.

The order was signed on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron‘s state visit to China.

CMA CGM’s CEO Rodolphe Saade also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with COSCO and Shanghai International Port (SIPG), the exclusive operator of all the public terminals in the Port of Shanghai, to source, supply and deliver bio-methanol and e-methanol to CMA CGM’s and COSCO’s future dual-fuel methanol fleet.

The 15,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered large container ships will be built by Jiangnan Shipyard and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) respectively. With a length of 366 meters, width of 51 meters, and depth of 30.2 meters, these ships can carry 156,000 tons of cargo.

The energy efficiency design index (EEDI) of the newly ordered ships is 60% below the requirement, meeting the most stringent emission requirements in the world.

Hudong-Zhonghua of CSSC will build the four 23,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel powered ULCCs. These mammoth vessels have a length of 399.9 meters, width of 61.3 meters, and depth of 33.5 meters in the cargo hold, with a deck area equivalent to 3.5 standard football fields. The ships can hold 23,000 TEU containers and carry 220,000 tons of cargo.

The world’s largest dual-fuel-powered main engine, W12X92DF, developed and manufactured by WinGD, will power the ships.

The record-breaking order is set to create a milestone in China’s shipbuilding industry, signaling its growing dominance in the global shipping market.

The deal is being made as part of CMA CGM’s decarbonization agenda which has seen over 77 ‘green’ ships ordered over the past ten years worth $10.2 billion. These vessels are predominantly LNG-powered and “e-methane ready” vessels of which 32 are already in operation.

The company also has six bio methanol-powered, e-methanol-ready ships that are scheduled to become available by the end of 2026.

Only last year, CMA CGM welcomed into the fleet 9 e-methane-ready boxships.