Shipping Line Orders Largest Container Ships

The world’s third largest container line, CMA CGM has finalized orders for the largest container ships. The order came after posting a 43.2per cent jump in net profit in 2014 to $584million.
In continued proof that scale is beneficial in mainline container shipping profit growth of 43.2per cent, last year far outstripped volume growth of 8.1per cent as the line handled 12.2million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEU) last year. Revenues in 2014 were up 5.3per cent at $16.7billion.
Breaking the recent record 20,000 teu capacity containership orders by Mitsui OSK Lines and Evergreen Group, the French line said it was finalizing orders for a trio of 20,600 teu new buildings to be delivered in 2017. The CMA CGM Group Vice Chairman, Mr. Rodolphe Saade said: “CMA CGM’s performance in 2014 was extremely robust.
By combining operational excellence, disciplined financial management and innovation, we have delivered strong growth in results with one of the industry’s highest margins and an even healthier balance sheet.”But he declined to disclose the yard where the ships would be built. Early this year, Oceans Three Alliance, United Arab Shipping Corp (UASC) and China Shipping Container Line (CSCL), have new buildings in the 18,000 teu – 20,000 teu class being delivered. CMA CGM will take delivery of six 18,000 teu ships this year, three of which it owns.