France-based shipping giant CMA CGM has unveiled CMA CGM Petra, an 85,700dwt vessel and the first in a series of six LNG-powered container ships joining its fleet.
The Post-Panamax boxship, built by South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai Samho), measures 272m by 42.8m, with a draft of 14.5ms.
The French-flagged ship boasts a capacity of 8,000TEU and is set to operate on the Asia-Central South America 1 (ACSA 1) service, facilitating Eastbound and Westbound trade routes.
The remaining five vessels in the series, all built to the same specifications, will also be constructed by Hyundai Samho. Deliveries of these sister ships are scheduled between February and November 2025, continuing the strong partnership between CMA CGM and the South Korean shipyard.
The launch of CMA CGM Petra marks another milestone in CMA CGM’s commitment to sustainability through LNG propulsion. The development follows the successful introduction of three other 8,000 TEU vessels by Hyundai Samho in 2024, which are flagged in Malta:
– CMA CGM Pointe du Piton (86,300 dwt), launched in August.
– CMA CGM Pointe Noire (86,300 dwt), launched in December.
– CMA CGM Pointe Percée (84,700 dwt), also launched in December.
CMA CGM Pointe du Piton played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking study conducted by CMA CGM, Hyundai Samho, and HD Hyundai Marine Solutions, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai specialising in marine technology. In October 2024, the three partners began developing a standardized life cycle assessment (LCA) model to measure carbon emissions in shipbuilding and operations.
Under this initiative CMA CGM and Hyundai Samho provided data on the vessel’s operations and specifications and HD Hyundai Marine Solutions used this information to develop a global standard for calculating carbon emissions.
Once finalised, the LCA model will undergo third-party verification to ensure trustworthy carbon measurement, with the results published in an official report.
The launch of CMA CGM Petra and her sister vessels highlights CMA CGM’s dedication to combining sustainability with cutting-edge maritime technology. As the company continues its collaboration with Hyundai Samho and expands its LNG-powered fleet, it reinforces its position as a leader in eco-friendly shipping while contributing to global carbon reduction standards.
