French shipping giant CMA CGM has taken delivery of the 15,000 TEU Patagonia as it continues to expand its large fleet of LNG-powered container vessels.
CSSC’s Jiangnan Shipyard held a naming and delivery ceremony for the dual-fuel ultra-large container vessel on Tuesday.
CMA CGM’s LNG-powered Patagonia completed its sea trials in July. This is the first out of five 15,000 TEU LNG-powered ships Jiangnan is building for CMA CGM.
Jiangnan floated out this vessel in January, the second, Kimberley, in April, and the third, Everglade, in July.
Two LNG-powered sister ships, Galapagos and Greenland, will join this trio by 2022, CMA CGM has previously said.
With 366 meters in length but also 51 meters in width, these containerships will be able to carry up to 15,254 TEUs, including 1,800 reefers, according to the French firm.
Moreover, they feature GTT’s Mark III containment system and WinGD’s dual-fuel engines.
All of the ships will sail under the French flag between Asia and the Mediterranean, serving CMA CGM’s Mediterranean Club Express (MEX) route.
CMA CGM is heavily investing in LNG as fuel and previously said it had expected to have 44 LNG-powered ships in its fleet by 2024.
Sources recently told LNG Prime that CMA CGM has also ordered six 7,600 TEU LNG-powered vessels at South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries.
