The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas, has reached Germany’s largest port for the first time. The CMA CGM Group’s new flagship will play a key role in the regular traffic between Asia and Germany.
The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the largest containership in the world with a capacity of 23,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent containers) powered by LNG, arrived in Hamburg as her third European port of call on Monday November 9.
The CMA CGM Group’s flagship, which set a new world record when she left Singapore with a load of 20,723 full containers aboard, crossed the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, and successfully continued her journey to Northern Europe.
Peter Wolf, Managing Director of CMA CGM Germany said the arrival of the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE is a significant event, not only for CMA CGM but also for the City of Hamburg.
“This state-of-the-art ship carries the name of Jacques Saadé, a great visionary and pioneer who has always had close ties with Hamburg and made CMA CGM one of the largest customers of the port. Moreover, the ship stands for our ambitious sustainability goals and our commitment to be a forerunner in the shipping industry’s energy transition,” he said.
The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE joined the Group’s fleet on September 22nd in a ceremony held in Shanghai and is currently making her maiden voyage on the Group’s iconic French Asia Line (FAL 1) connecting Asia to Europe. The line provides a weekly service comprising 13 calls over 84 days.
LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulphur dioxide and fine particle emissions and of 85% in nitrogen oxide emissions, surpassing the requirements of current regulations.
LNG also provides an initial response to the challenge of tackling climate change. Moreover, an LNG-powered vessel also emits up to 20% less CO2 than conventional fuel-powered systems. This technology is one of the initial ways in which the CMA CGM Group plans to meet its target of being carbon-neutral by 2050.
The CMA CGM Group’s new vessels will deliver a 4% reduction in CO2 emissions. In parallel, the vessels will use a smart system to manage the ventilation of the refrigerated containers carried in the holds.
The significance of Hamburg for CMA CGM is also evident in the close relationship between the city and CMA CGM founder Jacques Saadé. Jacques Saadé, who has been awarded one of the highest decorations of the City of Hamburg, the Admiralitäts-Portugaleser, is a recognized industry pioneer with great reputation in Hamburg who led CMA CGM to become one of the key players in the port.