CMA CGM inaugurates new ship in celebration of 35th anniversary

As a part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, French shipping line CMA CGM inaugurated the world's largest container ship, the CMA CGM Jules Verne on June 4.

The vessel was officially inaugurated by French President François Hollande in Marseilles. The CMA CGM Jules Verne (16,000 containers, 20-foot equivalent - TEU) arrived on June 3 in Marseille, where Jacques R. Saadé founded the group in 1978, for an exceptional call. She is named after a visionary writer, an amateur sailor and a seasoned traveller, whose characters were honest, imaginative, brave and bold.

"We at CMA CGM Jamaica are proud to be a part of this historic moment and join with the CMA CGM family in celebrating 35 years of excellent service to our customers. The addition of the Jules Verne is an indication of the commitment of CMA CGM to satisfy the logistic needs of its customers," Leo Nesbeth, general manager, said.

The CMA CGM Jules Verne is the third 16,000 TEU vessel that has been delivered to the CMA CGM Group and boasts the following dimensions - 396 metres long and 54 metres wide. In line with the group's sustainable development policy, the CMA CGM Jules Verne is equipped with all the latest environmental technologies.

Sailing under the French flag, the vessel will be operated on the group's more critical line (French-Asia Line), calling at Pusan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Suez, Malta, Marseilles, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Suez, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang and Ningbo.

The CMA CGM Group is the world's third-largest container shipping group and is a key player in the global economy. CMA CGM established local offices in Jamaica in 2005.