The 'CMA CGM MARCO POLO' (16 000 TEU) christened at the Zeebrugge Container Terminal in Belgium during maiden European voyage.
The ceremony was performed by 'Godmother', Mrs. Naila Saadé, President of the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation and wife of Mr. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The new 16 000 TEU vessel, owned by CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag. Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, the ship is 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters.
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 'French Asia Line (FAL 1) , the CMA CGM Marco Polo will complete its rotation in 77 days and has already called at Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and will call in Le Havre (19 Dec), Malta (26 Dec), Khor Al Fakkan (5 Jan 2013), Jebel Ali (7 Jan) and Ningbo (23 Jan).
The FAL1 operates 11 of the largest ships of CMA CGM’s fleet and offers 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 on the market.