ANL/CMA CGM are anticipating a first for their Australasian trades with the imminent arrival of the dual-fuel (LNG) powered CMA CGM Baalbeck.

The 8048 TEU newbuilding is currently undergoing sea trials after completion by the HD Hyundai Samho yard at Okpo and is expected to join the AAX-S service from South East Asia to Australia in Port Klang on 28 February, then calling Singapore, Melbourne, Port Botany, Port Adelaide and Fremantle.

CMA CGM Baalbeck is the fourth in a series of nine ‘Hyundai 8000 LNG’-type, two-island ships ordered by the CMA CGM Group in 2022 for a reported USD 119 million each. The first three deliveries have high reefer capacity of 1380 TEU but vessels four to nine have 800 plugs, according to Alphaliner. The 272.20 x 42.80 (17 rows wide) ships have a speed of 21 knots.

CMA CGM Baalbeck replaces CMA CGM Figaro in AAX-S.

Separately, ANL has introduced another newbuilding, the 5598 TEU CMA CGM Ouvea, to the KIX/NZS service between SEA and NZ, which it joined – also in Port Klang – 31 January, replacing CMA CGM Marlin.

The ‘SDARI Sealion 5500’-type was handed over by Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry (QBSHI), part of China’s CSSC Group, on 20 January. It the ninth of ten sisters, with the preceding eight placed with CMA CGM Group subsidiary APL under the US flag to make them eligible to carry US military cargoes.

CMA CGM Ouvea is 255.00 x 40.00 (16 rows) and is conventionally powered; it also has 800 reefer slots. The final sister, CMA CGM Tiga, is due for Easter delivery.

In other vessel changes affecting Australian trades, in the CAT service TS Lines’ recent newbuilding Kota Valparaiso (7092 TEU), originally intended as TS Chennai but which was given the PIL name in anticipation of a charter that appears to have fallen through, will shortly take the owners’ name TS Mumbai after two voyages under the current identity.

In the same service the 4738 TEU Xin Lan Zhou is covering for the drydocking Tian Shun He, both under Sinolines charter, while next month YM Success is listed to be replaced by the 4662 TEU YM Evolution.

In CA2 SeaLead has replaced the chartered 4636 TEU Zhong Gu Nan Chang with sister Zhong Gu Cheng Du.