Chinese shipyard CSSC delivers the CMA CGM Group the largest containership ever built in China
The CMA CGM Group on July 27 2015 took the delivery of the CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA from the Chinese shipyard China State Shipbuilding Corporation. This 18,000 TEUs vessel is, with its 399 meters length and 54 meters width, the largest containership of the CMA CGM Group. It will sail under the UK flag, the Group said on Monday.
Calling 11 different countries, the CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA is positioned on one of the most emblematic lines of the CMA CGM Group: the French Asia Line - FAL. The FAL joins Europe to Asia. In a globalized economy, this gigantic vessel has the capacity to transport almost 200,000 tons of goods between European, Middle East and Asian markets.
The CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA is equipped with the latest environmental technologies: an engine of the latest generation, a twisted leading edge rudder with bulb, an optimized hull design… Those innovations decrease the CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA CO2 emissions by 10% compared to the previous vessel generation. With an estimated emission of 37g of CO2/km for each container, the CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA is one of the greenest goods transport means in the world. Furthermore, in accordance with the CMA CGM Group’s commitment, the CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA environmental footprint responds to the 2025 energy efficiency regulations.
The CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA is the first 18,000 TEUs containership ever built by a Chinese shipyard. The CMA CGM ZHENG HE and CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 2 other vessels of the 18,000 TEUs series from the CSSC shipyards, will be delivered on September and November.
The CMA CGM VASCO DE GAMA is named after the 16th century Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who discovered the India route by sailing around Africa and passing the Cape of Good Hope.
Marseille-headquartered CMA CGM was founded in 1978 by Jacques R. Saadé. Today the French company has become the world’s third largest container shipping group and number one in France operating across the world’s oceans. It is also one of the first global shipping operators to have control over the whole logistics chain offering a door-to-door service that integrates both inland waterway transport (River Shuttle Containers) and railways (CMA Rail), as well as port handling facilities and logistics on land. CMA CGM operates out of over 650 offices and agencies in more than 150 countries and employs some 17,000 people.
