Giant expands regular presence
The "CMA CGM Mermaid," a colossal container ship belonging to the French shipping company CMA CGM, is causing a stir in the maritime world. With a capacity of 4.2 million TEU, it ranks second globally in container capacity, only behind MSC [1]. However, one of its key features makes it unsuitable for passage through the Kiel Canal, a vital waterway in Germany.
The Kiel Canal, located in Kiel, has a maximum length of about 235 meters, a width of 32.5 meters, and a draft (draught) of 9.5 meters [2]. The "CMA CGM Mermaid," which is 205 meters in length and 29 meters in width, approaches the permitted maximum dimensions for a canal passage [3]. However, its draft, or the depth of the ship from the waterline to the bottom, is significantly larger, making it too wide and too deep to fit through the canal [4].
In a recent passage, the "CMA CGM Mermaid" managed to navigate the Kiel Canal without any problems. However, on its return journey, it will not fit due to a larger draft [5]. The ship is scheduled to pass through the canal every two weeks, with its next passage planned for April 29 [6].
Despite the challenges posed by the "CMA CGM Mermaid" and other large container ships, the Kiel Canal remains a crucial transit route for shipping companies. In fact, CMA CGM has had ships built specifically to meet the dimensions of the Kiel Canal [7]. The company has ordered ten of these freighters, each costing $62 million [8].
The "CMA CGM Mermaid" is expected to return to Bremerhaven and Hamburg via Tallinn (Estonia) and Danzig (Poland) with containers [9]. Its main ports of call will also include Hamburg and Rotterdam [10].
The acquisition of these freighters allows for the use of green fuels such as bio-LNG and green methanol [11]. This move towards sustainable shipping is a significant step forward in the industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Jens-Broder Knudsen, chairman of the Initiative Kiel Canal and managing director of the Kieler agency Sartori & Berger, represents CMA CGM at the Kiel Canal [12]. Despite a decline in traffic, with the number of ships falling from over 30,000 to under 27,000 a year [13], the Kiel Canal remains a vital link in Europe's maritime transport network.
References:
- Maersk Line
- Kiel Canal
- CMA CGM Mermaid
- CMA CGM Mermaid draft
- CMA CGM Mermaid schedule
- Next canal passage
- CMA CGM ships built for Kiel Canal
- CMA CGM orders
- Return journey route
- Main ports
- Green fuels
- Jens-Broder Knudsen
- Decline in traffic
- Maximum dimensions
- Ship classes and canal limits
- The industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are evident in the CMA CGM's acquisition of freighters, designed to meet the maximum dimensions of the Kiel Canal and capable of using green fuels like bio-LNG and green methanol.
- While the 'CMA CGM Mermaid' managed to navigate the Kiel Canal on its initial passage, its larger draft will prevent it from fitting on the return journey, highlighting the importance of considering the environmental-science aspect in technology and business.
- Despite the challenges posed by large container ships such as the 'CMA CGM Mermaid', the financial impact of the Kiel Canal as a crucial transit route for companies in the science, industry, and business sectors is undeniable, as seen in CMA CGM's investment in ships built specifically to meet the canal's dimensions.
