French shipping giant CMA CGM has placed an order for six methanol dual-fuel vessels at China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC), part of CSSC, according to brokers and shipbuilding sources.
In June, CMA CGM revealed orders for ten LNG dual-fuel containerships and six methanol-fueled vessels, bringing its orderbook to 69 ships.
However, the firm did not disclose any additional details regarding the yards.
South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries won the order for the six 7,900 TEU LNG-fueled vessels.
CMA CGM was also expected to order the 15,000 TEU methanol-powered vessels in South Korea.
However, the firm chose DSIC for the company’s first-ever order for such vessels.
One source told LNG Prime that CMA CGM had ordered these vessels at Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding, a unit of DSIC.
The French firm would pay about $175 million per ship and take delivery of them in 2025, according to data by VesselsValue.
This move follows Denmark’s Maersk who ordered twelve 16,000 TEU methanol-powered vessels at South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy.
Hudong-Zhonghua to build four LNG-powered giants?
Besides the six 7,900 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels and these methanol-powered ships, CMA CGM also said in June it would place an order for four LNG-powered giants with a capacity of 23,000 units.
China’s Jiangnan Shipyard and Hudong-Zhonghua already delivered nine such LNG-powered vessels to CMA CGM.
In June last year, CMA CGM welcomed the ninth and the last vessel in this series, Sorbonne, in its fleet. These LNG-powered giants feature WinGD’s dual-fuel engines and GTT’s 18,600-cbm fuel tank.
Sources previously said that Jiangnan and Hudong-Zhonghua were competing to win these new orders with South Korean yards.
One source said on Monday that CMA CGM and Hudong-Zhonghua are close to signing the shipbuilding deal for these four new 23,000 TEU LNG-powered ships.
