CMA CGM has finalised orders for six 8,000 TEU ships at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
Hyundai Samho’s holding company, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) said that the vessels, priced at US$736 million altogether, will be delivered within the second half of 2025.
KSOE added that it has hit 74% of its 2022 order target of US$17.44 billion, having secured orders to build 105 vessels worth US$12.9 billion.
To diversify its energy sources, the French carrier said it was going to order 10 dual-fueled (with LNG), comprising six 23,000 TEU ships and six 15,000 TEU ships and six 8,000 TEU methanol-fueled ships.
Orders for the 15,000 TEU ships have been made at an undisclosed yard, and confirmation of the six 8,000 TEU ships takes CMA CGM’s orderbook to 75 vessels.
CMA CGM, an early backer of LNG as marine fuel, has said it wants to achieve carbon-zero by 2050 and will continue investing in newbuildings propelled by LNG and methanol. By 2024, 44 of CMA CGM’s ships will be LNG-fueled. The French carrier is also exploring new energy sources, such as green hydrogen, having joined the Jupiter 1000 green hydrogen production project piloted by GRTgaz.
As liner operators and tonnage providers continue to commission more newbuildings in the strong freight market, the global orderbook is set to exceed 30% of the in-service fleet.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
