BV Classes World's Largest Containership

Bureau Veritas has classed what is currently the largest containership in the world.

Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea for French operator CMA-CGM, CMA CGM Marco Polo is the first in a series of three 16,000 teu vessels which will each be named after great explorers.

The CGM Marco Polo - 396 metres long and 54 metres wide with a draft of 16 metres - is equipped with the latest cutting-edge environmental technology. It has an electronically controlled engine allowing for significantly reduced consumption of fuel (-3 per cent, on average) and of lub oil (-25 per cent). A twisted leading edge rudder improves the hydrodynamics of the vessel by optimising water flow and significantly reducing energy expenditure as well as CO2 emissions. A pre-swirl stator facilitates the alignment of water flow upstream from the propeller in order to improve productivity. These innovative features make it possible to reduce by between two and four per cent the consumption of energy and atmospheric emissions.

The CGM Marco Polo also features an exhaust gas bypass system which improves its energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption by 1.5 per cent at low speeds. An optimised hull design also results in significantly improved propulsion through the water, while a ballast water treatment system preserves environmental biodiversity by preventing the release of chemicals into the sea.

BV has carried out extensive calculations of the dynamic structural response of the vessel at sea, taking into account whipping and springing, resulting in the granting of its WhiSP2 notation.

Delivery of the other two vessels in the series is expected in 2013.