LNG-powered container vessel delivered

French shipping major CMA CGM Group took delivery of the world's first ultra large liquefied natural gas-powered container ship from its manufacturer Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd in Shanghai on Tuesday, marking a significant step forward in the Chinese shipbuilder's design and research capabilities, officials said.

The 23,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) vessel was designed by the 708th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corp, and built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. The mega-ship is the first of the nine vessels for which the French firm placed the order with China State Shipbuilding Corp in September 2017.

"The vessel represents the highest standard in shipbuilding and future trends, and since the signing of the contract, it has received great attention globally. The successful delivery of the ship proves that Chinese shipbuilders have completed the transition from manufacturing to innovation," said Chen Jianliang, chairman of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.