The Suez Canal welcomed the CMA CGM GRAND PALAIS, considered the world’s largest container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), during its first commercial transit through this strategic international waterway.
The CMA CGM vessel transited the Suez Canal as part of the southern convoy after safely navigating the Bab El-Mandab Strait on its journey between Singapore and Malta. The transit was confirmed by Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and CEO of the Suez Canal Authority.
A megaship designed to reduce emissions
The CMA CGM GRAND PALAIS operates on the MEX maritime service, connecting ports in the Far East with the Mediterranean. In addition to its record-breaking dimensions, the vessel is notable for its LNG propulsion, a technology used by the maritime industry to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The vessel is 400 meters long, 61 meters wide, and has a maximum capacity of 23,876 TEU. It also has a gross tonnage of approximately 240,000 tons.
The Suez Canal Authority noted that the transit of the vessel confirms the operational capacity of the waterway to receive state-of-the-art and large vessels within the international maritime fleet.
The Suez Canal strengthens its strategic position
During the official welcome, Admiral Rabiee emphasized that the Canal continues to secure itself as a safe and efficient route for global maritime trade even amidst regional challenges.
According to the Egyptian authority, the canal route allows for significant fuel savings due to the reduced distances compared to alternative routes. This supports the sustainability goals promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and accelerates the transition to lower-emission maritime operations.
In accordance with the protocol applied to ships making their first transit through the Canal, several chief pilots of the Authority boarded the container ship to present a commemorative award to its captain.
CMA CGM maintains its commitment to the Canal
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority also underscored the ongoing cooperative relationship with CMA CGM, whose ships continue to use this waterway as a priority corridor for international trade.
For his part, Captain Liang Zhihua assured that the improvements implemented in the Canal have increased operational flexibility and navigational safety for new generation megaships.
He also praised the technical performance of the Suez Canal pilots and their ability to operate vessels equipped with advanced maritime technologies. He indicated that coordination between the Authority’s pilots and the crews is essential to ensuring safe transits for large vessels.
Source and photo: Suezcanal