CMA CGM’s Dual-fuel Mega Ships to be Built to BV Class

Posted by Michelle Howard December 5, 2017

The classification contract for CMA CGM’s 22,000 TEU dual-fuel containerships was signed during a ceremony at Marintec in Shanghai (Photo: BV)

All nine of CMA CGM’s new gas-fueled Ultra Large Containerships will be built to Bureau Veritas (BV) class rules and under BV newbuilding supervision.

The two China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) shipyards that will be building the nine 22,000 TEU containerships, Jiangnan Changxing Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (Hudong Zhonghua) and Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (SWS), signed the classification contract with BV senior management at a ceremony during Marintec 2017 in Shanghai.

The new vessels, due to be delivered from 2020, will be the world’s largest containerships capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel.

Many in the industry consider LNG a viable alternative to bunker fuel oil for ships facing a 2020 deadline to meet new emissions standards that reduce maximum sulphur content in fuels to 0.5 percent from the current 3.5 percent. CMA CGM said LNG offers a 99 percent reduction versus standard shipping fuel.