Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that the Canal has witnessed the transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM GRAND PALAIS, the newest and largest environment-friendly container ship. The vessel was on its first voyage through the Canal amongst vessels of the southern convoy after its safe navigation through the Strait of Bab El-Mandab on its way from Singapore to Malta.
The vessel operated by CMA CGM is considered the world’s largest LNG-powered container ship, and it operates as part of the MEX maritime service connecting ports of the Far East and the Mediterranean.
The vessel is 400 m. in length, has a beam of 61 m., a maximum capacity of 23876 TEUs and a tonnage of 240 thousand tons.
In accordance with the Suez Canal Authority’s protocol for vessels transiting through the Canal for the first time, Adm. Rabiee delegated chief pilots Capt/ Samir Jaafar, Capt/ Magdy El-Rafei, and Capt/ Hazem Ghaith to board the ship, welcome its crew, and present a commemorative gift to the ship’s master.
Adm. Rabiee emphasized that the transit of the mega container ship through the Canal is a further testament to the Canal’s ability to accommodate the newest and largest container ships in the global fleet. He further emphasized that this milestone reinforces the Canal’s standing as a safe and sustainable waterway, offering significant fuel savings due to the shorter route compared to alternative routes, thereby supporting the sustainability of global trade in line with environmental standards endorsed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
(Photo from Suez Canal Authority)