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Engine certification for future 23,000 TEU container ships powered by LNG: a major step in the CMA CGM Group's energy transition

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May 27, 2020

A 20% reduction in CO2 emissions and no fine particle pollution: CMA CGM's future natural gas-powered vessels represent a major step in the Group’s energy transition. These exceptional vessels use extraordinary technologies and are equipped with engines that have been certified by the classification society Bureau Veritas.

A ceremony was held yesterday by videoconference – a must-have in this health crisis – marking an important milestone in the programme. Flanked by teams from CMA SHIPS, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, took part in the live broadcast of the certification ceremony for the WinGD X92DF dual-fuel engine which is fitted onboard the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé – the Group's future flagship – and its eight 23,000 TEU sisterships

The world's most powerful Liquefied Natural Gas engine

The world's most powerful Liquefied Natural Gas engine

The WinGD X92DF is the world's most powerful two-stroke dual-fuel engine ever built. At 63,840 kW, it delivers power equal to 60 wind turbines. The engine is built using the same approach as for those currently found on the Group's series of 20,600 TEU vessels (CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupéry, CMA CGM Jean Mermoz, CMA CGM Louis Blériot), the only difference being that this one will run on cleaner fuel. Developing an engine that runs on gas required many internal engine modifications.

Full steam ahead to continue the programme!

Given the innovative nature of the project, certification by Bureau Veritas took place during construction. A process adapted to the complexity of the project, which gave birth to a unique engine, the only one of its kind in the world.

The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé will now be able to perform its LNG trials in the coming weeks. Earlier this month, the container ship successfully tested the connection with its fuel supply vessel, a ship specifically designed to bunker the Group's LNG-powered 23,000 TEUs. 

 

Mooring operations went smoothly, as did hooking up the barge to the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé.

Construction of the most powerful LNG engine for the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé

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