Leading shipping liner CMA CGM Group has announced that the CMA CGM MARCO POLO, the world’s largest containership, began its first voyage on Nov. 7, from Ningbo Port, China. After completing her scheduled halts at different ports in China, Malaysia, Morocco and EU, the vessel is expected to return to Ningbo Port by Jan. 23, 2013.Symbol of the pioneer spirit of the CMA CGM Group, the new 16, 000 TEU vessel, owned by CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag, a media statement from the company has said.
Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea, the giant of the seas displays exceptional dimensions: 396 metres long and 54 metres wide with a draft of 16 metres. 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.
Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the ‘French Asia Line’ (FAL 1), the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is expected to offer its customers a fixed-day, weekly connection between Central and South China, the main exporting zones of the country, and Northern Europe. The direct service to Southampton and to Hamburg offers European importers the fastest transit times of the market.
The FAL1 is part of a global network of 8 CMA CGM services connecting Asia to Europe Atlantic, the most thorough offer on the market, and which is based on 29 vessels of 11,400 to 16,000 TEUs.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Nicolas Sartini, CMA CGM Group Senior Vice President, Asia-Europe Lines, said: “It is with great pride that the CMA CGM Group launches this new vessel, which is the largest in the world. It shows the expertise of the Group’s teams, who are able to handle not only the very technical piloting of the ship but also its commercial operations. Our entire network of 400 agencies all over the world is active to ensure the successful launching of this ship.”
The CMA CGM Marco Polo is going to join the FAL service, the backbone of the Group’s network of lines. This launching reinforces the Group’s strategy, which began 20 years ago, with the opening of its own offices in China, and continues today with 34 services going from China to Europe, to North and South America, to Australia and Africa, he added.
In line with the sustainable development policy of the Group, CMA CGM MARCO POLO is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies – an electronically controlled engine allowing a significantly reduced consumption of fuel and twisted leading edge rudder improving the hydrodynamics of the vessel.
In her maiden voyage, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is scheduled to call at Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton and Hamburg. On her return journey from Hamburg, the vessel is expected to call at Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Khor Al Fakkan and Jebel Ali before reaching Ningbo.
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