On November 20, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), launched the world’s first largest 24,000TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel powered container ship 10 days ahead of schedule. This ultra-large container ship was independently developed, designed, and built by the company.
It is the first ship in a series of four 24,000TEU dual-fuel powered container ships ordered by French CMA CGM Group. It is also an upgraded and optimized green and environmentally friendly ultra-large container ship after Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding completed and delivered the world’s first 23,000TEU dual-fuel powered container ship in September 2020.
The ship has a total length of 399 meters, a width of 61.3 meters, and a depth of 33.5 meters, with a design draft of 14.5 meters. It can carry 220,000 tons of cargo, accommodate 23,872 containers, and transport 2,200 standard refrigerated containers. The maximum stacking height reaches 24 layers, equivalent to a 22-story building.
As the world’s largest dual-fuel container ship, it is equipped with a 18,600 cubic meter MARK Ⅲ membrane fuel tank. The LNG loaded can provide the ship with “green power” for a single voyage of nearly 20,000 nautical miles.
The ship is powered by LNG and meets the world’s strictest emission standards. Compared to similar fuel oil-powered ships, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 20%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85%, and particulate and sulfur oxide emissions by 99%, significantly reducing environmental pollution.
It is understood that there are five ultra-large container ships under construction in Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. The company handheld orders for over 30 ultra-large and large container ships, with production tasks scheduled until 2028. The world’s first 24,000 TEU dual-fuel container ship, which has just been launched, is planned to be completed and delivered in the second quarter of 2025.