The CMA CGM Group will deploy starting end of May its flagship fleet of six 18,000-TEU vessels between Asia and the west coast of the U.S.

This decision is in line with both the growth strategy set by the group in the United States and around the world and the optimization of its fleet.

The flagship fleet of the group will hence be deployed on the most active and dynamic market to date – the trans-Pacific market – and will support its development as well as that of its customers.

In total, six ships of 18,000 TEUs will join the Pearl River Express service. The six ships bear the names of great explorers: CMA CGM Bougainville, CMA CGM Kerguelen, CMA CGM Georg Forster, CMA CGM Vasco de Gama, CMA CGM Zheng He, and CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin.

The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin became the largest ship ever to call in the U.S. last December and was inaugurated on February 19 in Long Beach, and will remain on the transpacific market. The other five 18,000-TEU vessels will join her on the Pearl River Express line.

These ships are among the largest in the world. They are equipped with the latest environmental technology and they will significantly reduce CMA CGM’s carbon footprint.