- The 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO is the largest container ship to ever call North America’s east coast.
- This landmark record is the result of a capacity increase on CMA CGM’s Columbus JAX service.
- CMA CGM Group is dedicated to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet its customers’ needs.
The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, announced today that it will break its own record next week for the largest vessel to ever visit the U.S. East Coast and Canada. The 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO will first set the Canadian record with a stop in Nova Scotia on Monday, May 17. The ship will then break the U.S. East Coast record when it calls New York on Thursday, May 20.
An impressive vessel scheduled to set seven North American big-ship records in 11 days
The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is a massive ship. With a length equivalent to more than 3.5 football fields, the containers fitting on the vessel would span nearly 61 miles if placed end-to-end. In addition to the Canada country and U.S. East Coast records, the CMA CGM MARCO POLO will set individual big-ship records at every port it visits on the North American east coast. This includes Port of Halifax (May 17), Port of New York and New Jersey (May 20), Port of Virginia (May 23), Port of Savannah (May 26) and Port of Charleston (May 28).
Increased capacity to serve our U.S. customers’ needs
The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is sailing on the company’s Columbus JAX service, travelling from South Asia to the East Coast of America. The debut of the vessel on the JAX reflects an increase in capacity. It signifies the Group’s commitment to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet the needs of its U.S. customer base, many of whom are experiencing unprecedented boosts in e-commerce sales and the resulting increased demand for goods.
As one of the nation’s top ocean-freight carriers, CMA CGM is well-positioned to serve its customers during these unique times. CMA CGM serves 19 U.S. ports with 34 services and 93 weekly port calls. In addition, the Group’s subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world. The CMA CGM Group employs more than 12,000 team members across the U.S. and is also a leading provider of logistics services through its subsidiary CEVA Logistics.
Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM America and APL North America, said, “At CMA CGM, we are dedicated to providing solutions for our customers. The deployment of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is yet another indicator of our flexibility and commitment to delivering the essentials that keep America moving. It is also important to mention that this milestone would not be possible without the efforts of our port partners on the East Coast. Their intelligent, timely infrastructure improvements to support larger ships make it possible for us to proactively respond to the needs of our customers.”
Calling All Ship Spotters! |
In commemoration of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO’s record-breaking journey, CMA CGM Group will host an Instagram contest for the most beautiful pictures in each port city. Contest overview is as follows:
Please note that contest participants must be 18 years of age or older due to vessel visit regulations. Additional contest rules can be found at https://www.cmacgm-group.com/en/news-media/cma-cgm-group-to-set-us-east-coast-and-canada-big-ship-record-with-the-cma-cgm-marco-polo |
About CMA CGM
Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics. Its 566 vessels serve more than 420 ports around the world, on all five continents. In 2020, they transported nearly 21 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. With CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics services, CMA CGM handles 400,000 tons of airfreight and 2.8 million tons of inland freight every year. CMA CGM is constantly innovating to offer customers new maritime, inland and logistics solutions.
Present on every continent and in 160 countries through its network of 755 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, of which 2,400 are in Marseille where its head office is located.
In the United States, CMA CGM, which is based in Norfolk, Va., employs more than 12,000 people. Its subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world.
For media inquiries: usa.aleonard@cma-cgm.com or media@cma-cgm.com
Contact Details
CMA CGM
Amber Leonard
+1 804-218-8933