French shipping company CMA CGM is reported to have signed a Letter of Intent with two Chinese shipyards, in order to build nine of the world’s largest container ships.
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co confirmed that it and its sister yard Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co, both owned by state-run China State Shipbuilding Corporation, had received a LoI from CMA CGM for the ships, which would be capable of carrying 22,000 TEU, according to China Daily newspaper.
The ships, scheduled for delivery from the end of 2019 into 2020, would feature dual-fuel engines, and be fueled by LNG, making CMA CGM the first major operator to take the LNG ticket, local media report.
Despite the company has not yet confirmed these, should they be built, the 22,000 TEU vessels will take the crown of the world’s largest container ships over OOCL Hong Kong, currently the world’s largest boxship, with a carrying capacity of 21,413 TEU.
