On April 15, the world’s first and largest 24,000TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel powered ultra-large container ship “CMA CGM SEINE” built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for the French CMA CGM Group was named and delivered. It is scheduled to be put into service on the Far East to Europe route on April 18.
“CMA CGM SEINE” is the latest “green cargo carrier” and “sea giant” tailor-made by Hudong Zhonghua for CMA CGM Group after the successful construction of 23,000TEU dual-fuel powered container ship. There are 4 ships in this series, with a total length of 399 meters, a beam of 61.3 meters, a depth of 33.5 meters and a designed draft of 14.5 meters. It can carry 220,000 tons of cargo, 23,876 containers at a time, and 2,200 standard refrigerated containers. The maximum number of stacking layers is 24, equivalent to the height of a 25-story building.
Designed with LNG power, the biggest feature of the “CMA CGM SEINE” is that it is equipped with 18,600 cubic meters of MARK III membrane fuel tanks. The LNG loaded can provide the ship with “green power” for a single voyage of nearly 20,000 nautical miles. The ship can meet the most stringent emission requirements in the world. Compared with similar fuel tank ships, the ship’s carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about 20%, nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by up to 85%, and particulate matter and sulfur oxide emissions are reduced by 99%, greatly reducing pollution to the environment.
Compared with the first 23,000TEU series dual-fuel powered container ship “CMA CGM Jacques Sadde” delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua in September 2020, the “CMA CGM Seine” has five major advantages.
- First, the loading capacity is further improved, with an additional 764 standard containers;
- Second, oil and gas consumption is further reduced. Under the main engine continuous power (NCR) state, fuel consumption is reduced from 239.1 tons/day to 231.4 tons/day, and gas consumption is reduced from 193.2 tons/day to 182.8 tons/day. The ship energy efficiency design index (EEDI) meets the third stage requirements of international regulations in advance;
- Third, the ship meets the newly effective SOLAS regulations, and a large hold water ingress alarm system is installed in the cargo hold to ensure the safety of cargo transportation;
- Fourth, the safety performance has been comprehensively improved to be able to deal with fire risks in all aspects;
- Fifth, the cabin layout has been adjusted and optimized, and noise reduction measures such as high-sound insulation doors and high-sound insulation floors have been adopted in cabins throughout the ship, creating a more comfortable living space for the crew.
The delivery of this ship marks a new breakthrough for CSSC in the field of ultra-large dual-fuel powered container ships in the world. In particular, the construction of an advanced and efficient manufacturing system for independent research and development, design, construction and supporting facilities has further enhanced China’s voice and competitiveness in the global shipbuilding industry.
Including the “CMA CGM SEINE”, Hudong-Zhonghua has delivered 17 container ships to CMA CGM Group, 12 of which are dual-fuel powered container ships. According to the plan, Hudong-Zhonghua will also deliver 3 large and ultra-large container ships this year.