CMA CGM Tenere Completes First Dry Dock Inspection, Milestone for Dual-Fuel LNG Container Ships

The world’s first dual-fuel LNG-powered container ship, CMA CGM Tenere, has successfully completed its first class dry dock inspection at COSCO Zhoushan Shipyard, marking a significant milestone in the operation of this new generation of vessels. The ship rejoined commercial service on January 15, deployed on the Asia–Caribbean route, jointly operated by CMA CGM (PEX2) and COSCO (CAX1). This service features a fleet of twelve vessels ranging from 9,000 to 15,000 TEUs, with the 6,000 TEU CMA CGM Baikal being replaced by the Tenere, according to Alphaliner.

Before its dry dock, the CMA CGM Tenere was operating on the M2X service connecting the Far East and Mexico. The vessel arrived in Zhoushan on November 22, completed maintenance and specialized LNG-related tests by January 8, and then anchored in Hangzhou Bay awaiting deployment orders.

Vessel Details and Specialized Dry Dock Work

The 14,806 TEU container ship, owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), was delivered in September 2020 by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries of South Korea. Initially named Morecambe Bay, it joined the CMA CGM fleet under a 15-year long-term charter agreement.

During the dry dock, COSCO Zhoushan performed standard maintenance as well as specialized LNG operations, including welding and maintenance on 9% nickel steel and stainless steel fuel tank structures. The CMA CGM Tenere features a Type B LNG containment system with a capacity of 18,600 m³, and X-ray radiography inspections were conducted to verify critical welds on the tank, gas supply pipes, propulsion system, and engine room components.

For the first time, COSCO Zhoushan carried out the vessel’s complete defueling and refueling process, including pre-cooling the LNG tank with liquid nitrogen, a crucial step for dual-fuel operation. Unlike many large container ships, this dry dock did not involve structural modifications such as reinforcing lashing bridges, raising the superstructure, or installing bow wind deflectors. A scrubber was also not added, emphasizing CMA CGM’s commitment to operating the vessel primarily on LNG fuel.

The successful completion of this inspection highlights the operational readiness and technological sophistication of the CMA CGM Tenere, paving the way for a greener future in global container shipping.