CMA CGM’s 24,000 TEU container vessel CMA CGM VENDOME has transited the Suez Canal for the first time while operating on the carrier’s Europe-Asia service.
The LNG-powered vessel measures 399.9 metres in length, 61.3 metres in breadth and has a draught of 16 metres. The ship has a total tonnage of 244,000 tonnes and a carrying capacity of 24,000 TEUs.
The vessel operates within the OCEAN Alliance’s FAL 3 service linking the Far East with North-West Europe. The transit represents the first southbound crossing of the service through the Canal since January 2026.
Admiral Ossama Rabie, President of the Suez Canal Authority, said regional geopolitical challenges have reshaped global shipping patterns and supply chains, increasing the importance of voyage efficiency and operational savings for container lines.
He added that the transit of CMA CGM VENDOME highlights the Canal’s strategic role in accommodating the world’s largest container vessels and reinforces its position as a key route connecting East and West trade flows.
The vessel is equipped with an 18,600 cubic metre LNG fuel tank, enabling long-haul voyages between Asia and Europe while supporting lower-emission operations.
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The Suez Canal Authority deployed experienced pilots and escort tugs to support the vessel’s transit in line with procedures for first-time crossings. Captain Mahmoud Khairat Ogeez and Captain Mabrouk Rachad Mabrouk, Chief Pilots, boarded the ship to welcome the crew and present a commemorative gift to the master.
According to Admiral Rabie, CMA CGM recorded 104 transits through the Canal between January and May 2026, representing a total tonnage of 12.5 million tonnes.
He said the figures demonstrate the carrier’s continued reliance on the Suez Canal despite ongoing regional disruption.
The Authority has also continued expanding navigation and maritime services in recent months to improve safety standards and operational efficiency for mega container vessels.
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Captain Daniel Martin, Master of CMA CGM VENDOME, said the French carrier selects routes based on operational efficiency and customer requirements, noting that the Suez Canal remains the preferred option over the Cape of Good Hope route.
“The Suez Canal offers several benefits, including reduced travel time and reduced fuel consumption,” he said.
He added that the Canal provides “safe and smooth transit” compared with the Cape route, where adverse weather conditions can force vessels to reduce speed and extend voyage times.
