When shipping giants collaborate across continents, the result isn’t just another ship — it’s a floating symbol of technological evolution and environmental ambition.
A Vessel That Redefines Maritime Power and Purpose
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), through one of its major subsidiaries, has officially delivered a 24,000-TEU ultra-large container ship to CMA CGM, the French shipping powerhouse. What sets this vessel apart? It’s equipped with a dual-fuel system capable of running on LNG (liquefied natural gas), making it one of the cleanest and most efficient cargo carriers afloat.
This isn’t just a matter of scale — although 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) is an eye-watering number, making the ship one of the largest container vessels ever built. It’s about sustainability, futureproofing, and navigating a rapidly changing maritime world.
Green Tech Meets Gigantic Engineering
LNG dual-fuel propulsion means this ship can drastically reduce its sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to conventional fuel oil-burning ships. These emissions cuts align with International Maritime Organization (IMO) decarbonisation targets, which are getting stricter by the year.
Built in Shanghai, the vessel boasts cutting-edge digital navigation systems, hull designs optimised for fuel efficiency, and the structural durability to operate across long-haul international trade routes, particularly between Asia and Europe.
Strengthening Sino-European Maritime Ties
CMA CGM’s ongoing partnership with CSSC speaks volumes about the strategic alignment between France’s shipping ambitions and China’s shipbuilding prowess. This isn’t the first dual-fuel ship delivered from CSSC to CMA CGM — it’s part of a larger fleet renewal plan that reflects the global trend toward cleaner, smarter, and more versatile ships.
The Broader Context: Global Shipping Goes Green
Why does this delivery matter so much?
- The container shipping industry is under pressure to cut emissions, meet EU ETS regulations, and prepare for carbon taxes across multiple jurisdictions.
- Fuel flexibility is now seen as a key operational advantage. LNG isn’t the perfect fuel, but it’s currently one of the most practical lower-emission options for mega vessels.
- China, through CSSC, is rapidly becoming a global leader not just in shipbuilding quantity — but in green ship innovation and technological sophistication.
Designed for the Next Era of Global Trade
This vessel can:
- Carry up to 24,000 TEUs, including high volumes of reefer (refrigerated) containers
- Operate on both LNG and conventional marine fuel, depending on port availability
- Serve as a floating platform for smart shipping technologies, including real-time diagnostics, route optimisation, and predictive maintenance
Economic and Environmental Win-Win
For China, it’s a prestige project, proving that its shipyards can compete with — and often outperform — their Korean and Japanese rivals in complex green vessel construction.
For CMA CGM, it strengthens its position in the upper echelon of global carriers, enhancing its long-haul capacity and meeting mounting regulatory expectations from European and international stakeholders.
“This delivery marks a major step toward decarbonised global shipping. Through our partnership with CSSC, we’re not only investing in ships — we’re investing in a sustainable future,”
— Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO, CMA CGM Group
For the planet? It’s one more step toward a greener shipping supply chain, helping reduce the environmental cost of moving goods across oceans.
