The CMA CGM Group reported that the container ship CMA CGM NOTRE DAME made its maiden call in Singapore after beginning its inaugural commercial voyage from Shanghai, China. The vessel will now continue its journey to France and other European ports, with an estimated arrival in early July.
The vessel became the largest container ship currently operating under the French flag and is part of the new generation of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels developed by the company to support the energy transition of maritime transport.
The vessel will sail to Europe via the Asia-Europe route
After its stop in Singapore, the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME continued its journey within the French Asia Line (FAL) service, one of the main trade routes connecting Asia with Europe.
The service rotation includes calls at strategic ports such as Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Tangier Med. The vessel’s arrival in France is scheduled for July 2, when an official inauguration ceremony will be held at the port of Le Havre.
With a capacity of 24,212 TEU, the vessel was designed to respond to the growth of international trade and strengthen logistics flows between Asia and the European market.
Optimized design to reduce emissions and consumption
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is 400 meters long, 62 meters wide, and 75 meters high. Its propulsion system uses LNG as its primary fuel, a technology that is part of CMA CGM’s decarbonization strategy.
In addition to the fuel system, the vessel incorporates an LNG tank with a capacity of 18,600 cubic meters, intelligent energy management systems, and an aerodynamic design aimed at reducing fuel consumption during voyages.
The vessel’s architecture also allowed for an increase in cargo capacity by 280 additional containers without altering its overall dimensions.
Artificial intelligence and digitalization in navigation
The vessel integrates advanced digital technologies to improve safety and operational efficiency. Its fully digitized bridge incorporates real-time navigation tools, augmented reality systems, and artificial intelligence solutions to optimize routes and manage energy consumption.
These operations are supervised by CMA CGM’s fleet control centers located in Marseille, Miami, and Singapore, which provide permanent support to the crews.
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is the first in a series of ten container ships to be delivered between 2026 and 2028. All will bear names inspired by emblematic sites of French heritage and will be progressively deployed on major international shipping routes.
Source and photo: https://www.cmacgm-group.com/
