Jiangnan Shipyard Delivers CMA CGM’s Fourth Methanol-Fueled Dual-Fuel Container Ship

On April 22, Jiangnan Shipyard officially signed the delivery documents and named the fourth vessel in the “Kun” series of 15,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel large container ships built for French shipping giant CMA CGM—the “CMA CGM ESMERALDA” (H2794).

At the naming ceremony, attendees included Chen Yi, Director of BASF’s China International Logistics Division; Bai Silan, General Manager of CMA CGM China; Lu Lin, General Manager of Shanghai CMA CGM International Ship Management Co., Ltd.; Mathieu, China Regional Manager of CMA CGM’s Newbuilding Department; Li Ronghui, Senior Manager of the Specialized Financing Department at the Head Office of the Export-Import Bank of China; Lin Hai, Deputy Manager of the Production Management Department and Project Manager for Boxship Projects at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd./China Merchants Cruise Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Wang Youmin, General Manager of Asia Ship Inspection (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; Aire, QHSE and Operations Director for North Asia at Bureau Veritas; Zhang Dalei, General Manager of the Second Marine Division of China Ship Trading; Yuan Feipeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Trade Union at Jiangnan Shipyard; Liang Xiaojun, Assistant to the General Manager; and others. Ms. Chen Yi officiated at the ship-naming ceremony.

Also in attendance at the naming ceremony were representatives from CMA CGM China, Shanghai CMA CGM International Ship Management Co., Ltd., BASF China, the Head Office of the Export-Import Bank of China, China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd./China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Bureau Veritas, China Ship Trading, members of CMA CGM’s on-site construction supervision team, the new vessel’s crew, and other guests.

In his address, Bai Silan stated: “On behalf of the CMA CGM Group, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Jiangnan Shipyard and China Shipbuilding Group for their cooperation and support throughout all phases of this vessel’s construction. I also extend my warmest congratulations to all the teams involved on successfully completing and delivering this high-performance vessel. In just over four months, we are today taking delivery at Jiangnan of our fourth methanol-powered container ship—a milestone that marks another significant step forward in CMA CGM’s decarbonization journey and once again underscores the strength of our strategic partnership with Jiangnan. We wish her a smooth and successful maiden voyage.”

Yuan Feipeng delivered a speech: “This series of vessels strikes an optimal balance between environmental sustainability and economic viability, making it a time-tested, market-proven design—and a long-standing collaborative project between Jiangnan Shipyard and CMA CGM. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the leadership at all levels of CMA CGM and to the on-site supervision team for their unwavering attention and support, which have enabled Jiangnan Shipyard to further enhance construction efficiency and ensure the reliable, short-cycle, high-density delivery of this vessel series. The naming and delivery of this vessel are in full alignment with the spirit of the recent summit between the heads of state of China and France, serving as another exemplary demonstration of deepening cooperation in the shipping sector. Moving forward, we will continue to heed the call for ‘net-zero emissions,’ relentlessly advance the green transformation of our ship designs, and contribute the combined strengths of China and France to the global transition toward zero-carbon shipping.”

This series of 15,000-TEU methanol-fueled dual-fuel container vessels is the “KUN” series of large container ships—designated “KUN-15M”—which has been independently developed and designed by Jiangnan Shipyard. With a total length of 366 meters, the vessel represents another new, highly efficient, green, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly ultra-large container ship type that the company has independently developed by focusing on its core shipbuilding portfolio, conducting R&D in close alignment with market needs, and integrating design closely with production. At the same time, the design is meticulously tailored to shipowner requirements.

This series of vessels is powered by methanol dual-fuel technology, which not only underscores China’s efforts to strengthen the global core competitiveness of its shipbuilding industry but also aligns comprehensively with multiple national top-level development strategies. Moreover, it enables phased and substantial reductions in emissions across all categories of pollutants and greenhouse gases in the shipping sector, serving as another large-scale, core platform for the industry’s steady progress toward the overarching goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

This vessel continues the series’ streamlined, phased production approach and achieved the “331” target prior to departure from the dock: “three zeros” (zero onboard equipment installation, zero trial box testing, and zero painting defects), “three network connections” (pipeline network connected, power grid connected, and information network connected), and generator readiness for testing—thereby creating more favorable conditions for subsequent installation and commissioning. Meanwhile, full-ship simulated trial-box and simulated container-stacking lashing tests were completed within the dock, shortening the dock cycle by 10 days. The “two-in-one” sea trials were conducted in just 8 days, setting a new record for the shortest sea-trial duration in this series; delivery was also advanced by 5 days, establishing a new milestone of delivering the vessel only three weeks after returning from sea trials.