CMA CGM plans to double its order for methanol-ready container ships in China.
The French liner giant signed up for six 15,000-teu dual-fuel neo-panamaxes at state-owned Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co in August.
TradeWinds reported a price of about $1bn for the deal, or $175m per ship.
Now CMA CGM chief executive Rodolphe Saade has told the Conference on the Economy of the Sea in Lille, France that this order will be expanded, according to Le Marin.
“Subject to the approval of our board of directors, six methanol ships of more than 15,000 teu will be ordered in the coming weeks, bringing the number of CMA CGM methanol ships to 12,” he was quoted as saying.
The news comes hot on the heels of another $1bn order for four more huge 24,000-teu LNG dual-fuel container vessels by the group.
TradeWinds reported this month that China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding won the business, for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
CMA CGM is believed to be paying at least $250m each for these ships.
Support for the French flag
Shipbuilding sources said CMA CGM’s order for the 24,000-teu vessels was the first boxship deal for Hudong-Zhonghua this year. The Shanghai shipyard has been busy concluding LNG carrier contracts.
Saade also reiterated the group’s support for the French flag.
The company has 29 ships registered in France.
The CEO also backed the country’s Maritime Academy, saying that if more officers were available from the academy, the French fleet “would grow even more”.
