French shipping group CMA CGM has ordered twelve additional LNG-powered containerships at two Chinese yards, cementing its position as one of the world’s largest owners of such vessels.
Hudong-Zhonghua and Jiangnan Shipyard will each build six LNG-powered ships for CMA CGM, parent China State Shipbuilding Corporation said on Friday.
To remind, LNG Prime reported on this development in early April.
Hudong will build 13,000 TEU ships while Jiangnan will construct 15,000 TEU vessels. The yards should deliver the ships to the owner by mid-2024.
CSSC did not reveal the price tag of the order. Sources previously said the price would reach more than $140 million per vessel.
In addition, the order also includes ten conventionally powered 5,500 TEU vessels, making it the largest single containership order for CSSC, it said.
The new LNG-powered vessels will feature GTT’s Mark III containment system and WinGD’s dual-fuel propulsion, such as the nine ULCVs already under construction at the two yards.
Hudong is building five ultra-large containerships for CMA CGM, while Jiangnan is constructing four. These nine ULCVs are the world’s largest LNG-powered vessels.
CMA CGM took delivery of the seventh vessel in this batch last month with two more to follow.
Besides these giants, Jiangnan is also building five 15,000 TEU LNG-powered vessels for CMA CGM.
The French firm is heavily investing in LNG as fuel as it looks to comply with stricter rules and slash emissions. Prior to this order, CMA CGM expected to have 32 LNG-powered ships in its fleet by 2022.