China Merchants’ Jinling Shipyard in Weihai delivered the CMA CGM Indianapolis on 20 December 2023, the first of four dual-fuel LNG-powered car carriers that will be operated by the French shipping company.
CEVA Logistics, part of the CMA CGM Group, confirmed in May 2023 its plan to enter the segment as part of the French group’s efforts to expand operations through diversification.
The car carrier was handed over to Eastern Pacific Shipping of Singapore which will be chartering the vessel to CMA CGM. Three sister ships are due for delivery in 2024 and are part of a larger 16-ship order for EPS with Jinling.
EPS, an Idan Ofer-led shipping firm, placed the initial order in 2021 for up to six LNG-fueled vessels and also has an order for up to ten more of the car carriers to be built by China Merchant’s shipyard in Nanjing. Delivery of the vessels will be completed by 2026.
The vessels have a capacity for up to 7,000 units and are the largest in the company’s vehicle transport fleet. They are also an advanced design built with a high-pressure dual-fuel system.
Each vessel is equipped with two 2,000 cubic meter LNG gas storage tanks. Other energy-saving devices include a shaft generator and a lithium battery developed by Corvus with a 751 kWh ESS capacity. The vessels also have photovoltaic systems.
Each of the ships is approximately 656 feet (200m) in length and of 18,600 dwt. They will operate at a speed of 19 knots. The ships have a total of 12 cargo decks, divided into fixed and movable types, which improves cargo loading and unloading efficiency and improves the economic benefits of ship operation.
