French shipping giant CMA CGM has celebrated the christening of its latest fleet addition, the containership CMA CGM Big Sur. The naming ceremony was held at China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) Jiangnan Shipyard in China.
The CMA CGM Big Sur boasts a capacity of 15,000 TEUs and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping. This vessel is the fifth in a series, joining its sister ships: CMA CGM Cedrus, CMA CGM Cape Cod, CMA CGM Grace Bay, and CMA CGM Maui.
Back in April 2021, CMA CGM placed a significant order for 22 containerships valued at approximately $2.3 billion. The order was distributed among three Chinese shipbuilders: Jiangnan Shipyard, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, and Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, all subsidiaries of CSSC.
The order includes the construction of six dual-fuel LNG-powered 15,000 TEU containerships, including the CMA CGM Big Sur, which are being built by Jiangnan Shipyard. Additionally, six dual-fuel LNG-powered 13,000 TEU boxships are being built by Hudong-Zhonghua, and the remaining ten 5,500 TEU containerships, powered by very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), will be constructed by Beihai Shipbuilding.
CMA CGM is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the shipping industry. According to the company, LNG currently offers the best available solution to decrease emissions and improve air quality. The fuel enables a 99% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions, a 91% reduction in fine particles, and a 92% reduction in nitrogen dioxide emissions.
In a further step towards achieving net-zero emissions, CMA CGM has established a €200 million fund dedicated to accelerating the energy transition within the French maritime industry. This initiative, launched in partnership with public sector investment bank Bpifrance, aims to finance decarbonization projects across various sectors, including fishing, passenger transport, maritime freight, boating, and port operations.
