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CMA CGM Jacques Saade, the largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), started its first bunkering operation in Rotterdam as it continues on its maiden voyage
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The ultra-large box ship is the first of a series of nine 23,000-TEU, LNG-powered container ships ordered by CMA CGM three years ago
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The group plans to have 26 LNG-powered container ships by 2022
The CMA CGM Jacques Saade, the world’s first and largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), recently had its first bunkering operation.
The Jacques Saade, also the CMA CGM group’s flagship, began its first LNG bunkering operation on November 13 at the Port of Rotterdam, the largest bunkering operation ever undertaken for a container ship.
Once bunkering has been completed, the mega ship, which has an 18,600-cubic-meter tank, will continue on her maiden voyage, which began after she joined the fleet on September 22, the company said in a statement.
READ: CMA CGM launches first of 9 LNG-powered mega box ships
During the vessel’s bunkering, the use of biomethane—via the purchase of Guarantee of Origin certificates for 13% of the total fuel delivered—significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the LNG used in this operation, the statement added.
The Jacques Saade is the first of a series of nine 23,000-TEU, LNG-powered container ships ordered by the French shipping company in 2017, the order a historic first for vessels of this size. The CMA CGM Champs Elysees, which is part of this fleet, was also recently delivered.
The fleet will operate on the group’s French Asia Line (FAL 1) connecting Asia with Europe. The line provides a weekly service comprising 13 calls over 84 days. These nine vessels will be registered on the International French Register.
The group now operates seven LNG-powered container ships and will have a fleet of 26 container ships of various sizes by 2022.
“The energy transition is well and truly underway at CMA CGM. As of today, our flagship is powered using Liquefied Natural Gas. By 2022, our LNG-powered fleet will be 26 strong,” said Rodolphe Saadé, group chairman and CEO.
“Through this initiative we are directly addressing the environmental challenges we are faced with. As well as being reliable, LNG is the best available technology for significantly improving air quality and contributing towards tackling global warming.”
Photo courtesy of CMA CGM
