CMA CGM expands fleet with hybrid PCTC

Built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, this new PCTC is the latest addition to CMA CGM’s fleet of eco-efficient vessels that push the boundaries of clean energy in global shipping.

The CMA CGM Monza features a dual-fuel, hybrid power system that utilises two MAN LNG dual-fuel engines compliant with IMO Tier III emission standards and supported by onboard lithium battery arrays. This hybrid system allows the vessel to achieve significant emission reductions by balancing LNG and electric power, highlighting the ship’s alignment with maritime decarbonisation goals. The LNG engines draw fuel from two 2,000-cubic-meter LNG tanks, and this combination allows for both substantial power output and improved energy efficiency at sea.

Measuring nearly 200 meters in length with a beam of 38 meters, the CMA CGM Monza is classed by Lloyd’s Register and flagged in Malta. This advanced vessel boasts a gross tonnage of 72,000 tons, a design draught of 8.6 meters, and a maximum speed of 19 knots. The ship’s 12 vehicle decks, a mix of fixed and adjustable levels, allow for optimal flexibility in accommodating different vehicle types, from passenger cars to larger transport vehicles such as trailers and buses. The deck configurations can hold up to 7,000 car equivalent units (CEUs), meeting the growing demand for high-capacity, cross-continental vehicle shipping.

The CMA CGM Monza is part of a larger series of six dual-fuel PCTCs commissioned by EPS from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. This specific vessel is the third in the lineup, with EPS delivering the first two, CMA CGM Indianapolis and CMA CGM Silverstone, in late 2023 and mid-2024, respectively.

These PCTCs play a pivotal role in a strategic charter agreement between CMA CGM’s logistics subsidiary, CEVA Logistics, and EPS, focused on the growing automotive supply chain needs between China and Europe. CEVA expects to transport roughly 140,000 vehicles annually using these vessels, marking a significant operational capacity for global vehicle trade.