Amid a historic expansion of the global container vessel orderbook, a new generation of technology-integrated ships is entering service. Maritime leaders CMA CGM, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have each achieved significant milestones with their most recent fleet deliveries.
Recently, CMA CGM christened its newest vessel, the CMA CGM Notre Dame, in Le Havre, France, after its maiden voyage from Asia. This historic ship is the world’s largest LNG-powered containership and the largest vessel flying the French flag.
Measuring 399 meters (1,309 feet) long, the CMA CGM Notre Dame is the pioneer of a new 10-ship class. While massive in scale, advanced container-system engineering expands its loading capacity to a staggering nominal rating of 24,212 TEU.
The vessel acts as a floating laboratory of high-tech innovation. It features embedded AI systems, digital navigation, and augmented reality tools built on a fully digitalized bridge. These technologies work together to drive real-time voyage optimization, maximize energy efficiency, and lower environmental emissions.
This flagship leads a major wave of investment in France. The 10-vessel fleet rollout will bring 135 new French seafarer jobs over the next two years, boosting CMA CGM’s French-flagged fleet from 30 to 40 ships by 2028. As the world’s third-largest ocean carrier, the group commands a massive global network of over 700 vessels, moving more than 24 million TEUs annually.
The CMA CGM Notre Dame is scheduled to stay at the port of Le Havre until July 4, prior to entering service on the carrier’s Far East trade loop. Operating on a comprehensive 102-day rotation, the vessel’s itinerary includes port calls in China, Singapore, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Tangier Med.
Concurrently, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) achieved a sustainability milestone at China’s Qingdao Port. On July 3, the newly delivered OOCL Wisdom completed its inaugural green methanol bunkering operation before embarking on its maiden voyage. The vessel stands as the largest capacity methanol dual-fuel container ship globally.
During the bunkering operation at Qingdao, the 225,000 DWT vessel took on 1,500 metric tons of methanol fuel while loading 3,000 TEU of cargo. Featuring a nominal capacity of 24,168 TEU, the vessel is the pioneer ship in a seven-vessel order. OOCL intends to deploy this new series to enhance capacity and efficiency on its core Asia-Northern Europe trade route.
Ocean Network Express (ONE) continues the strategic expansion of its mid-sized fleet with the deployment of its eco-designed “S” Series. The 160,200 DWT ONE Simplicity, delivered at the end of March, has been joined by its sister ship, ONE Solidarity.
Constructed by Imabari Shipbuilding in Japan, the 336-meter vessels integrate advanced environmental technologies to support long-term operational flexibility. The hull forms are specifically optimized for standard service drafts and speeds, utilizing cutting-edge energy-saving devices, a twisted rudder, anti-friction marine coatings, and a specialized bow wind shield to maximize fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the vessels carry Approval in Principle for future conversions to alternative fuels—such as methanol and ammonia—and are configured to support retrofitted carbon capture systems. Embedded emissions controls include hybrid Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and compliant ballast water treatment technology.
The newly delivered ONE Solidarity has commenced its inaugural voyage and is currently assigned to ONE’s Mediterranean Pacific South service route.
