CMA CGM takes delivery of the 13,300-TEU Christophe Colomb

The CMA CGM group has taken delivery of the 13,300-TEU CMA CGM Christophe Colomb, the new flagship vessel of the group, in South Korea on November 10, according to Exim News Service.

To date, it is one of the world’s largest containerships. Its dimensions are impressive: 365 metres long, 51.2 metres wide, with a draught of 15.5 metres.
To be operated on the Asia-Europe trade, the driving force of the world economy, CMA CGM Christophe Colomb proves the group’s ability to move forward in the current economic context. Moreover, CMA CGM has decided to deploy the vessel on a line operated in partnership with Maersk Line (1 vessel CMA CGM, 9 vessels Maersk Line), a decision that enables the group to improve service quality and optimise its new transport capacity.

"This new giant of the seas is a strategic asset for CMA CGM while volumes and freight rates on the Asia to Europe market are recovering. Thanks to its size and equipment, this modern and competitive vessel enables the group to meet its growing customer demand on this key market while ensuring economies of scale," explained Mr Nicolas Sartini, Senior Vice-President, Asia/Europe Lines, CMA CGM group.

In compliance with the group’s environmental policy, CMA CGM Christophe Colomb is the first vessel to be equipped with a Pre-Swirl Stator. This ingenious new device, together with the twisted leading-edge rudder, maximises propulsion efficiency and optimises the vessel’s hydrodynamics to cut fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2 to 4 per cent.

Energy is also conserved by an electronically-controlled engine which reduces oil and fuel consumption by 25 and 3 per cent, respectively. Thanks to this new engine, the vessel can—if necessary—be operated at super eco-speed (14 to 15 knots). In addition, CMA CGM Christophe Colomb is equipped with a Fast Oil Recovery System which enables bunkers to be rapidly recovered at any time, thereby significantly limiting the environmental consequences should there be an incident at sea.

Technically, the vessel distinguishes itself by the position of its superstructure, located in the front, which maximises space utilisation, guarantees a better visibility from the bridge and reinforces the vessel’s hull. Moreover, the tanks of CMA CGM Christophe Colomb, located underneath the superstructure, are protected by the double hull of the vessel, in compliance with the MARPOL 12A regulation which will come into effect in August 2010.

The vessel commenced its rotation in Shanghai on November 11, goes on to Ningbo (November 12), Xiamen (November 14), Hong Kong (November 15), Yantian (November 16) and Algeciras (December 3), before calling at Rotterdam on December 7 and, finally, at Bremerhaven on December 9.

(Source:www.schednet.com)