French liner company CMA CGM Group received the CMA CGM Vasco de Gama on July 27 from China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

This 18,000teu vessel is, with its 399 meters length and 54 meters width, the largest containership of the CMA CGM Group. It will sail under the UK flag.

Calling 11 different countries, the CMA CGM Vasco de Gama is positioned on the French Asia Line – FAL, which joins Europe to Asia trade. In a globalized economy, this gigantic vessel has the capacity to transport almost 200,000 tons of goods between European, Middle East and Asian markets.

The giant container vessel is equipped with the latest environmental technologies, including an engine of the latest generation, a twisted leading edge rudder with bulb, and optimized hull design, cutting the ship's CO2 emissions by 10% compared to the previous vessel generation. With an estimated emission of 37g of CO2/km for each container, the ship's environmental footprint responds to the 2025 energy efficiency regulations.

The CMA CGM Vasco de Gama is the first 18,000teu containership ever built by a Chinese shipyard. The CMA CGM Zheng He and CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, 2 other vessels of the 18,000teu series from the CSSC shipyards, will be delivered on September and November.

The CMA CGM Vasco de Gama is named after the 16th century Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who discovered the India route by sailing around Africa and passing the Cape of Good Hope.