The CMA CGM Notre Dame, the world’s largest LNG-powered container ship, has commenced its maiden voyage from Shanghai Yangshan Port to Europe on May 25, 2026, marking a significant milestone in sustainable maritime shipping.
Vessel Specifications
The mega vessel measures 400 metres in length and 78 metres in height, with a capacity of 24,212 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The ship can transport over 24,000 standard containers along the China-Europe route.
Environmental Performance
According to CMA CGM, the vessel is designed to significantly reduce environmental impact compared to conventional oil-fueled container ships. The LNG dual-fuel propulsion system enables the ship to cut CO₂ emissions by 20 per cent, reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85 per cent, and nearly eliminate sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions.
The ship features an 18,600-cubic-metre MARK III membrane LNG tank that enables it to sail nearly 20,000 nautical miles on a single LNG bunkering.
Fleet Expansion
The CMA CGM Notre Dame is the first in a series of ten identical vessels that CMA CGM will receive between 2026 and 2028. The ship represents an advancement from the earlier Jacques Saadé-class vessels, featuring 764 additional TEUs and lower fuel consumption.
The vessel was delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), following the successful delivery of the CMA CGM Seine, a 24,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, in April 2025.
Strategic Deployment
The CMA CGM Notre Dame will be deployed on the Far East-Europe shipping route, strengthening maritime connectivity between Asia and European markets while demonstrating the commercial viability of LNG as a marine fuel for ultra-large container vessels.
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