LNG dual-fuel 13,000 TEU CMA CGM Sao Paolo wraps up sea trials

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has revealed that CMA CGM Sao Paolo, a 13,000 TEU dual-fuel containership owned by French shipping major CMA CGM, has completed its sea trails.

As disclosed, before the sea trials, the shipyard’s project team planned each production phase in advance. The project progress was controlled to ensure that dozens of tests would be completed successfully. Following a seven-day trial, the vessel returned to the shipyard on April 29, 2024. CMA CGM Sao Paolo is the fourth of six 13,000 TEU LNG-powered containerships Hudong-Zhonghua is building for the French shipping heavyweight.

The order is part of CMA CGM’s $2.3 billion dual-fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership fleet renewal program.

To remind, Hudong-Zhonghua recently delivered another 13,000 TEU LNG-powered containership to CMA CGM, CMA CGM Paraty. CMA CGM Bahia joined the shipowner’s fleet in December last year.

The boxships have a total length of 336 meters, a molded width of 51 meters, and a molded depth of 26.8 meters. 

The containerships have a designed service speed of 21 knots. They incorporate an LNG dual-fuel power system and are equipped with a 14,000 cubic meter LNG cargo tank with a Mark III-type cargo containment system.

The ships also feature a huge wind deflector on the bow, which can save 2%-4% of fuel consumption during the voyages, according to CMA CGM.