CMA CGM launched its newest container ship, the world’s largest, on its first voyage on the Asia-Europe trade.
The new vessel named CMA CGM Marco Polo, with a capacity of 16,000 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), took off for its maiden sailing on November 7 from Ningbo, China.
The South Korea-built box ship is 396 meters long and 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,” the Marseilles-based liner said in an official statement.
The ship operates on the FAL 1 (French Asia Line), which is part of a global network of eight CMA CGM services connecting Asia to Europe Atlantic. FAL1 operates the largest vessels of the French fleet, consisting of 29 vessels with capacities of 11,400 to 16,000 TEUs.
The Marco Polo will have the following route: Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali, and Ningbo.
“It is with great pride that the CMA CGM group launches this new vessel, which is the largest in the world,” said Nicolas Sartini, senior vice president for Asia-Europe lines. “The CMA CGM Marco Polo is going to join the FAL service, the backbone of the group’s network of lines.”
Photo: PhillipC
