CMA CGM recently announced the addition of the CMA CGM HERODOTE to its fleet. She is the first company-owned vessel in a series of six (four CMA CGM and two MARFRET) vessels dedicated to the Europe – Guyana – North Brazil trade.

With a 1,700-TEU capacity, these new container ships are the largest ever to berth at Saint Maarten and French Guyana. They offer 51 percent greater cargo capacity, and their special hull design enables to maximize transport of goods to shallow-draft ports.

The vessels are fitted with 240 reefer plugs, three times more than current vessels. This enables them to load the equivalent of 480 TEUs of reefer cargo, or 5,200 tons of melons, grapes and other exotic fruits from North Brazil. These vessels are equipped with two thrusters so that they can berth and manoeuvre without a tug. They also have three cranes (two 45-ton cranes and one 30-ton crane) to handle containers even in ports without such equipment. Finally, like most CMA CGM container ships, these vessels are outfitted to accommodate passengers who can reserve single or double cabins for an unforgettable experience living alongside the crew, learning about life at sea, eating meals at the captain’s table, and enjoying a variety of amenities including a lounge, gymnasium, pool and library.

"CMA CGM was willing to invest in modern vessels which would be dedicated to this trade where the Group has a historical presence," explains Nicole Chamard, Director of Mediterranean/Caribbean and Europe/Guyana, North Brazil lines. "These new vessels are larger, faster, and they have been specially designed to cope with the nautical constraints of the area. Our customers will therefore benefit from an improved quality of service, with faster transit-time, and better opportunities to expand their business in the coming years."

These vessels will provide direct service to the following ports in the rotation: Cadiz, Leixoes, Rotterdam, Tilbury, Rouen, Le Havre, Saint Maarten, Port of Spain, Degrad des Cannes, Belem, Fortaleza, Natal, and return to Cadiz.

The sister ships of the series, the CMA CGM HOMERE, ARISTOTE and PLATON, are scheduled for delivery in April, June and October 2007, respectively. Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipyard, built these vessels at its sites in Ulsan and Mokpo in South Korea.

The CMA CGM HERODOTE called at Saint Maarten on April 1st, 2007 and at Degrad des Cannes, French Guyana on the 6th. She flies under the British flag. She is expected to dock at Tilbury on the 27th April