Heralded as one of the world’s largest containerships, the CMA CGM JEAN MERMOZ – capable of carrying up to 20,954 TEU containers – has just reached Malta Freeport Terminals.

The largest vessel to date to call at Malta Freeport, the CMA CGM JEAN MERMOZ’s dimensions exceed those of the Eiffel Tower, stretching 400 metres long with a width of 59 metres. It is also furnished with 1,600 reefer plugs to supply power to refrigerated containers. 

Built in 2018 by HANJIN HIC PHIL INC and sailing under the Malta Flag, this containership is currently deployed on the CMA CGM Group’s FAL3 service, which connects Northern Europe to Asia. 

The vessel, which will be calling regularly at the Freeport, berthed on arrival at Terminal One North Quay with five quayside canes deployed to operate the vessel in the shortest possible time. 

The CMA CGM JEAN MERMOZ’s visit is only possible due to the millions the Freeport has invested in its infrastructure, equipment, manpower and top-notch technology to retain a competitive edge in this cutthroat market.

Freeport CEO Alex Montebello said: “We are honoured to welcome this vessel at our facilities. This is an important milestone for the Freeport as it shows we’re in an unrivalled position to operate vessels of this magnitude and larger as a result of the €300 million investment in the facilities since privatisation in 2004.

“With bigger vessels discharging and loading more containers on each call, investment is crucial to remain competitive. The Freeport can today handle the world’s largest container vessels simultaneously on both terminals and turn them around with maximum efficiency.” 

Clients’ vessels are not only getting bigger, but greener and more efficient, as carriers are increasingly investing in containerships powered by LNG and taking the necessary measures to decrease the sulphur oxide emissions from vessels by 85 per cent the to comply with the IMO 2020 regulation, which comes into effect on January 1, 2020. 

CMA CGM is currently leading the industry in the choice of LNG with 20 LNG-powered vessels in its fleet by 2022.