New generation of vessels will be greener

There’s a significant “green” angle to today’s announcement of the new Mega-ship launching. CMA CGM “Christophe Colomb” is the first vessel of the Group equipped with a Pre-Swirl Stator. This ingenious new device, together with the twisted leading-edge rudder, maximizes propulsion efficiency and optimizes the vessel’s hydrodynamics to cut fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2 to 4 percent.

Energy is also conserved by an electronically controlled engine which reduces oil and fuel consumption by respectively 25 and 3 percent. Thanks to this new engine, the vessel can – if necessary – be operated at super eco-speed (14 to 15 knots). In addition, CMA CGM “Christophe Colomb” is equipped with a Fast Oil Recovery System which enables bunkers to be rapidly recovered at any time, hence significantly limiting the environmental consequences should there be an incident at sea.

Technically, the vessel distinguishes itself by the position of its superstructure, located in the front, which maximizes space utilization, guarantees a better visibility from the bridge and reinforces the vessel’s hull. Moreover, the tanks of CMA CGM “Christophe Colomb,” located underneath the superstructure, are protected by the double hull of the vessel, in compliance with the MARPOL 12A regulation which will come into effect in August 2010.