CMA CGM Launches Redesigned Container Ship Look

In shipyards across Asia, a new generation of containerships is being launched, marking the dawn of an environmentally friendlier phase in maritime transport. This movement involves the investment of billions into pioneering ship designs.

A standout recent launch from Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea is the 2,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel, CMA CGM Mermaid, leading a fleet of 10 sibling ships. This vessel boasts a groundbreaking design reminiscent of a sizable platform supply ship, born from a partnership among France's CMA CGM, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and HHI. CMA CGM asserts that this innovative design enables a reduction in CO2 emissions by as much as 20%. These 10 feeder ships are designated to operate within the Mediterranean and throughout northern Europe.

A notable aspect of this vessel's architecture is its dimensions—204.29 meters in length and 29.6 meters in width—engineered to enhance both hydrodynamic and aerodynamic efficiency. They represent the first in CMA CGM's fleet to feature superstructures positioned at the bow, a design choice that, according to the French shipping giant, offers improved aerodynamic efficiency and greater cargo capacity. The CMA CGM Mermaid is also distinguished by its nearly vertical straight bow, incorporating an integrated bow bulb.

The series' tenth vessel, set for delivery at the beginning of 2025, is expected to be equipped with a 1 MW hydrogen fuel cell, promising zero emissions while docked.