First French West Indies ship for CMA CGM

With a capacity of 3,500 teus, the 219m long 35.6m beam, 28.6m depth vessel stands out by its scantling draft of just 11m, which is adapted to the West Indies ports. The vessel’s deadweight at its scantling draft is 38,840. It is also equipped with 850 plugs for refrigerated containers (reefers).

The vessel’s main engine is a WINGD 7X72, with power of 25,270 kW. The vessel also features four auxiliary, each generating up to 2,604 kW.

Over the spring and summer, the group will take delivery of the remaining three vessels, each with identical features. The vessel was built at COSCCO ZHOUSHAN shipyard.

Alongside ‘Fort de France’, ‘Fort Royal’, ‘Saint Charles’ and ‘Fort Fleur D’Epee’ will sail under the French flag and will be deployed in replacement of the existing ‘Forts’ on the North Europe French West Indies line. This service links Europe and Metropolitan France to Guadeloupe and Martinique, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in under ten days.

CMA CGM Group aims to use the new fleet to significantly increase its service to the French West Indies while maintaining quality, reliability and regularity. It stated that it supports the economic development of these territories.

Last November, CMA CGM Group renewed its transport contract with the UGPBAN, the professional association of banana producers of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The contract involves transporting 270,000 tons of bananas from the French West Indies to the Port of Dunkerque every year until 2026.