VESSEL REVIEW | CMA CGM Seine – CMA CGM dual-fuel containership to serve Far East-Europe routes

French shipping company the CMA CGM Group recently took delivery of a new container vessel.

Built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, CMA CGM Seine is the first in a new series of four container vessels that each have a capacity of 24,000 TEUs and a dual-fuel propulsion system that can also run on LNG. Earlier this month, CMA CGM began operating the ship on its Far East to Europe routes.

The Bureau Veritas-classed CMA CGM Seine has an LOA of 399 metres (1,310 feet), a beam of 61.3 metres (201 feet), a draught of 14.5 metres (47.6 feet), and a depth of 33.5 metres (110 feet). The dimensions make the newbuild one of the largest dual-fuel container vessels in the world, while the 24,000 TEUs may include up to 2,200 refrigerated containers.

The ship’s WinGD W12X92DF-2.0 dual-fuel engine is fed by GTT Mark III membrane-type LNG fuel tanks with a total capacity of 18,600 cubic metres (657,000 cubic feet). When operating solely on LNG, the ship can sail up to 20,000 nautical miles on a single voyage.

Fitted with advanced exhaust reduction systems

To address the critical sloshing challenges in large-volume LNG bunker tanks, computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted. The verified pressure data were provided to the design unit for structural strength checks, ensuring the safety of the cargo containment system and hull support structure.

The main engine also incorporates an intelligent control by exhaust recycling (ICER) system, and this configuration significantly reduces methane emissions and enables compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards when operating in conjunction with the engine in diesel mode.

The ICER system optimizes energy efficiency, achieving an EEDI reduction well beyond the IMO’s Tier III emissions standards.

Hudong-Zhonghua expects that the use of LNG will also generate 20 per cent fewer CO2 emissions, 85 per cent fewer NOx emissions, and up to 99 per cent fewer SOx and particulate matter emissions compared to ships of similar size.

Upgrades in safety and efficiency compared to earlier large-capacity ships

The vessel also features advanced technologies to boost operational performance and energy efficiency. Equipped with an intelligent monitoring system and a full-control system, it achieves automated precision control during berthing, significantly reducing berthing time and enhancing port operations.

Energy efficiency is further improved by applying variable frequency drive technology to the engine room fans and seawater cooling pumps. Meanwhile, WinGD’s proprietary data collection monitoring system will offer real-time tracking and analysis for the main engine, supporting operational optimisation.

Compared to an earlier class of 23,000TEU ships in the CMA CGM fleet, the newbuild and its 24,000TEU sisters boast lower fuel consumption (231 tonnes/day versus 239 tonnes/day) and gas consumption (182 tonnes/day versus 193 tonnes/day) and full compliance with IMO Tier III regulations.

CMA CGM Seine fully complies with SOLAS requirements thanks to the incorporation of a large cabin water ingress alarm system in the cargo hold and onboard firefighting equipment including fixed sprinkler systems and movable monitors.

The vessel's design also boasts improved noise reduction through the use of sound-dampening doors and floors.