CMA CGM’s Eco-friendly Container Ship Calls LA

The 8,500-TEU Figaro that arrived in Los Angeles this week on its maiden voyage is not only the largest CMA CGM container ship to call at a U.S. port, it is also one of the most environmentally-friendly vessels afloat.

The eco-friendly Figaro reflects a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes anti-fouling paint, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, an advanced waste management system and an oil recovery system that captures hydro-carbons, said Frank Baragona, President of CMA CGM (America).

For example, the waste and garbage management system does away with the incinerators found on previous generation vessels. The Figaro carries lightweight steel containers, and their floors are made from bamboo rather than endangered wood species.

Electronic injection engines allow for more flexible engine utilization that reduces fuel consumption by 3 percent and oil consumption by 25 percent. All of CMA CGM's new vessels are being equipped with electronic injection engines, the company said.

The Figaro is also equipped with the capacity to operate from shore-side electric power while at berth. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are phasing in a policy of requiring cold-ironing of vessels at berth in order to reduce diesel pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

When its vessels are in California waters, CMA CGM participates in a slow-steaming program designed to reduce emissions. The vessels also switch to low-sulfur fuel when approaching port.

The Figaro's twisted leading edge rudder reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. All CMA CGM vessels of greater than 8,000-TEU capacity delivered since 2009 are equipped with that type of rudder.

The vessel's fast oil recovery system allows hydrocarbons located in the tanks to be extracted at any time without going through the hull.

The Figaro is deployed on CMA CGM's Bohai Rim service linking North China, Shanghai and Ningbo with the ports of Los Angeles and Oakland.

-- Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.