CMA CGM Jacques Saadé is the first in class of a series of nine Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCV) which are also the largest ships in the world to be fuelled by LNG.

The vessel was laid down in 2018 and delivered in September last year (2020) for service in the Asia to Europe trade lane, the only lane currently capable of hosting ships of this size.

• Built by CSSC Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Shanghai
• Owned and operated by CMA CGM
• LOA 399.9m
• Beam 61.3m
• GRT
• DWT
• Summer draft 16m
• Capacity 23,112 TEU
• Reefer plugs 2,200
• Main engine CMD-WinGD 12X92 DF
• Maximum power rating 63,840 kW
• Service speed 22 knots
• LNG Fuel capacity 18,600 cbm
• Sister ships (so far): CMA CGM Palais Royal, Rivoli, Louvre

Jacques Saadé is equipped with what is described as a 100% digitalized bridge including augmented reality screens, predicted docking maneuvering and 360 deg visualization.

By next year, the CMA CGM fleet will increase to 20 LNG powered vessels:

• 9 x 23,000 TEU
• 5 x 15,000 TEU
• 6 x 1,400 TEU

LNG bunkering for the new fleet has been awarded to the French energy group Total which has contracted to provide 570,000 tonnes/year from purpose-built LNG bunker vessels at key locations on the major trade routes.

Mr. Jacques Saade was born in Beirut in 1937 and assumed control of the family business in 1958. He relocated to France in 1978 and formed the shipping company CMA which later merged with rival CGM. He passed away in 2018 having appointed his son Rodolphe as Chair of the Board and CEO of the Group in 2017.

The company’s decision to invest heavily in LNG fuelled propulsion is seen as a bold break from reliance on low sulphur diesel or scrubber treated heavy fuels as the marine industry seeks to progressively exceed regulatory standards in reducing vessel emissions.

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