inaugural stopover, maritime : In Le Havre, the mega container ship CMA CGM SEINE takes the stage

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, HAROPA PORT welcomed the CMA CGM SEINE, latest flagship of the French shipping company, for its inaugural port call, on the Terminal de France. A true symbol of technological and ecological innovation, the vessel operates on the FAL3 service linking Asia to Europe, as part of Ocean Alliance.

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©HAROPA PORT / Nautilus

A technological and environmental Feat

Built by the Chinese shipyard Hudong Zhonghua and delivered on April 16, 2025, it is the first in a new series of fourteen mega container ships ordered by CMA CGM group.

Measuring 399 meters in length, 61.3 meters in width, and with a draft of 16 meters, it boasts a capacity of 23,872 TEUs and can carry up to 220,000 tonnes of cargo.

The vessel is equipped with a MARK III membrane-type LNG tank with a capacity of 18,600 m³, enabling it to sail up to 20,000 nautical miles powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). This propulsion system significantly reduces its environmental footprint compared to fuel oil-powered vessels:
 

  • 20% of carbon dioxide emissions,
  • 85% of nitrogen oxides,
  • And 99% of fine particles and sulfur oxides.

By the end of the year, sister ships, also named after iconic Parisian locations, will join the CMA CGM SEINE. Together, they form an optimized version of the Jacques Saadé class of container ships launched between 2020 and 2021.

Another milestone for HAROPA PORT

As part of the French Asia Line 3 (FAL3) service operated by the Ocean Alliance, the vessel connects Asia to Europe, with Le Havre as the only French port of call. The ship calls at Port 2000 at the France terminal operated by Générale de Manutention Portuaire.

This call highlights CMA CGM's continued commitment to greener and more efficient shipping. It also aligns with the port’s strategy to promote and support sustainable maritime transport solutions.