CMA CGM new class of LNG boxships to East Coast South America

China’s Hudong-Zhonghau Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of CSSC, has delivered the CMA CGM Bahia on December 7 as the shipyard looks to solidify its leadership in building LNG-fueled containerships.

The new class of ships will become the largest dual-fuel containerships operating on the South America route, and also the largest CMA CGM has deployed on the route. The service originates in China with stops in Hong Kong and Singapore before proceeding to Rio de Janeiro and other ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The route calls at 17 ports with weekly sailings and a 91-day duration for the voyages.

The CMA CGM Bahia is 145,650 dwt with a maximum nominal capacity of 13,200 teus. The vessel is 336 metres in length with a 51-metre beam. It is designed to operate at a service speed of 21 knots. The vessel is registered in Malta.

The vessel includes a large wind deflector on to the bow of the ship to improve its efficiency. CMA CGM began testing the new size and shape of the deflector earlier this year on existing vessels. The new ship it will reduce fuel consumption by t2% to 4%. The vessel also has an energy-saving device that can improve propeller propulsion efficiency. It will further reduce energy consumption by about one and a half percent.

CMA CGM recently reported that it has already invested more than $17 billion in a fleet of nearly 120 LNG- and methanol-powered ships to be delivered by 2027 and highlights that the LNG vessels can also be operated on bio/e-methane, the new green equivalent of current LNG.