Spotted: CMA CGM Newbuild Makes Maiden Call at Busan Port

Image Courtesy: BPA

Busan New Port BNCT Terminal welcomed on February 6 the 20,600 TEU CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery, one of the largest containerships in the world.

Built at HHIC-Phil’s Subic facility, the giant boxship was delivered to its owner, CMA CGM, in January 2018.

CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery is the largest container vessel that entered Busan Port since its opening, according to Busan Port Authority (BPA). What is more, it has become the largest vessel that called Korea, BNCT said.

The 400-meter-long vessel is deployed in French Asia Line 1 service which connects Asia to Northern Europe. It will offer services to Ningbo, Shanghai, Singapore, Algeciras, Rotterdam and Le Havre having loaded 3,500 containers at Busan Port.

Vessels with a loading capacity of over 20,000 TEU have continuously entered Busan Port since the 20,568 TEU Madrid Maersk called at Busan Port last April.

“20,000 TEU class ships usually call at HJNC or PNIT, but Saint Exupery is the first 20,000 TEU class vessel that entered BNCT,” Woo Ye-yong, President of BPA, commented.