HHIC-Phil Sends 20,600 TEU CMA CGM Newbuild to Sea Trials

CMA CGM’s newest ultra large container vessel (ULCV) has been performing sea trials in the North Pacific, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction – Philippines (HHIC-Phil) said.

The 20,600 TEU CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery was out in the open seas from December 29, 2017, to January 2, 2018.

The giant vessel embarked on a four-day journey to undergo a series of performance tests and technical inspections prior to its expected delivery in early 2018, according to the shipbuilder.

Launched in August 2017, the newbuilding has a length of 400 meters and a width of 59 meters, making it one of the largest containerships in the world.

The 197,500 dwt CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery has a market value of USD 129.49 million, VesselsValue’s data shows.

French container shipping major CMA CGM has two more identical vessels in the advanced stages of shipbuilding process at HHIC-Phil’s Subic shipyard. The boxships are scheduled for delivery in November and December 2018.

In a separate announcement, HHIC-Phil informed it laid keel for two 115,000 dwt tankers ordered by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS). This marked the official start of the construction of the vessel pair.

Scheduled for delivery in the second and fourth quarter of 2018, the Aframax tankers will each feature a length of 249.9 meters and a width of 44 meters.

Eastern Pacific has two more 115,000 dwt tankers on order at Hanjin Subic, due for delivery in 2019.