The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, one of the world’s largest container ships and the biggest vessel sailing under the French flag, has made its inaugural call at Morocco’s Tangier Med Port, marking another milestone in the expansion of sustainable global shipping.
The 400-meter-long vessel docked at the TC2 container terminal, operated by Eurogate, as part of CMA CGM’s French Asia Line (FAL 3) service. The strategic shipping route connects major manufacturing and trade hubs across Asia with key European ports, reinforcing Tangier Med’s growing importance in international maritime logistics.
The FAL 3 service links ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Tangier Med, facilitating the movement of goods between two of the world’s largest trading regions.
Among the World’s Largest LNG-Powered Container Ships
Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME has a carrying capacity of 24,212 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), placing it among the largest container vessels currently in operation globally.
The ship embarked on its maiden commercial voyage from Shanghai before arriving in Europe earlier this month. Its visit to Tangier Med underscores the port’s capability to handle next-generation ultra-large container vessels while supporting increasingly complex global supply chains.
The vessel is the first in a planned fleet of 10 LNG-powered 24,000-TEU container ships that CMA CGM intends to deploy progressively between 2026 and 2028 across major international shipping routes.
Driving the Maritime Energy Transition
CMA CGM said the new-generation vessel reflects its long-term commitment to reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport while expanding its capacity to meet growing global trade demand.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the ship features an LNG propulsion system that is compatible with bio-LNG derived from renewable sources and is also prepared for the future use of synthetic e-methane, supporting the industry’s transition toward lower-carbon fuels.
Additional energy-saving technologies include an aerodynamic windshield designed to improve fuel efficiency, an 18,600-cubic-meter LNG fuel tank, and intelligent energy-management systems that optimize onboard power consumption.
Advanced Digital Navigation and AI Integration
Beyond its environmental credentials, the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME incorporates a fully digitalized bridge equipped with artificial intelligence, augmented reality technologies, and advanced navigation systems. These capabilities enhance operational safety while optimizing routing, vessel speed, and overall energy efficiency during voyages.
Speaking during the vessel’s stopover, Florian Goupil, Managing Director of CMA CGM Morocco, described Tangier Med as “a strategic partner of the Group and a major hub in our global maritime network.”
The visit also highlights Tangier Med’s expanding role as one of the world’s leading transshipment hubs. In 2025, the port handled nearly 17,000 vessel calls, including approximately 1,300 ships measuring more than 290 meters in length, demonstrating its ability to accommodate the largest vessels serving international trade routes.
Also Read :- Dachser Strengthens European Logistics Network with Major Expansion in Memmingen
