LNG-powered vessel Notre Dame, due to arrive in Europe in early July, offers expanded reefer capacity
Shipping group CMA CGM has taken delivery of the CMA CGM Notre Dame, the first of ten new-generation vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and the largest containership currently operating under the French flag.
The vessel, which has begun its maiden commercial voyage out of Shanghai, is expected to arrive in Europe in early July, with an inauguration ceremony in Le Havre scheduled for 2 July.
“With this vessel, CMA CGM continues the modernisation of its fleet and reaffirms its commitment to the energy transition of maritime transport, while strengthening its capacity to support the growth of global trade,” the company said in a statement.
Notre Dame measures 400m long, 62m wide, and 75m high, and is designed to carry up to 24,212 containers.
Among its smart energy-management features, the group noted, are solutions for powering and ventilating refrigerated containers, with a capacity of 1,600 reefer plugs.
Deployed on the French Asia Line, the group’s strategic service connecting Asia and Europe, the vessel is set to operate on a rotation of approximately 102 days, calling at ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Tangier Med.
