CMA CGM christens 1,700-TEU vessel

CMA CGM christens 1,700-TEU vessel France’s CMA CGM Monday christened the first in a series of six 1,700-TEU vessels dedicated to the Europe/Guyana/North Brazil trade at the Port of Southampton in the United Kingdom.
   The U.K.-flagged CMA CGM Herodote has a service speed of 19 knots, is equipped with 240 reefer plugs and, along with its sister ships, its hull line has been optimized to operate in shallow waters. The ship is already the largest to ever dock in Saint Maarten and Guyana.
   In total, CMA CGM will have four of the six ships being built by Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries with compatriot Marfret taking the other two. All six ships will eventually replace seven smaller and slower vessels on the French carriers’ joint operation that calls Algeciras, Leixoes, Rotterdam, Tilbury, Rouen, Le Havre, Saint Maarten, Port of Spain, Degrad des Cannes, Belem, Fortaleza, Natal and back to Algeciras.
   The godmother of the CMA CGM Herodote, Jacqueline Christian, named the vessel on its arrival in Southampton, in presence of her husband Douglas Alexander, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Transport and Scotland; Councilor Stephen Barnes-Andrews, mayor of Southampton; and Jacques R. Saad', founder and chairman of CMA CGM.