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Second of three 16,000 TEU vessels to be launched by CMA CGM left Busan on Friday
CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt, the second of a series of three 16,000 TEU vessels to be launched by the French firm named after great explorers, left the Port of Busan, South Korea, on Friday to begin its maiden voyage.
The mega vessel, built in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and sailing under the UK flag, measures 396 metres from bow to stern boasting a 16-metre draught.
The maiden voyage was marked by a commemorative ceremony at the quay-side of the Busan New Contaienr Terminal (BNCT) with Busan Port Authority president Lim Ki-tack, BNCT management and the vessel’s captain on hand to celebrate the occasion.
“Today’s call proves that New Port is attractive to the largest container ships in the world and shows that BNCT’s investment in the latest technology and biggest equipment was the right choice in support the ongoing industry trend of more and bigger vessels,” said BNCT president and CEO John Elliott.
“We are extremely thankful for both CMA CGM and Busan Port Authority’s critical role and support in making this all possible.”
CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt joins the CMA CGM Marco Polo as the largest container vessel operating on the world’s ocean, with the third and final vessel in the series the French-flagged CMA CGM Jules Verne due for delivery at the start of next month. CMA CGM Jules Verne will be christened on May 30th at the German Port of Hamburg in the presence of her godmother the second Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Dorothee Stapelfeldt.
Operated on the emblematic line of the Group, the French Asia Line (FAL 1), the CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt called Busan (April 19th), Qingdao (April 21st), and will now call Ningbo (April 24th), Shanghai (April 26th), Xiamen (April 29th), Hong Kong (April 30th), Chiwan (May 1st), Yantian (May 2nd), Port Kelang (May 6th), Suez (May 19th), Tanger (May 23rd), Southampton (May 27th), Hamburg (May 29th), Bremerhaven (May31st), Rotterdam (June 2nd), Zeebrugge (June 3rd), Le Havre (June 5th), Malta (June 11th), Suez (June 14th), Khor Al Fakkan (June 22nd), Jebel Ali (June 24th), Port Kelang (July 3rd) and Ningbo (July 10th).
