It has been confirmed that French carrier CMA CGM is upgrading the size of six new containerships under construction at yards in China and South Korea from 12 600 TEU to 17 700 TEU, ending months of speculation, reports SeaNews Turkey. It was expected that the ocean liner would invest in this size of mega ship to keep up with the fleets of its two P3 partners, Maersk and MSC, according to a Lloyd's List report quoting chief financial officer Michel Sirat. The specification change applies to one trio of ships being built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding that were previously up-sized to 16 000 TEU from the original 12 600 TEU. Another three vessels are being built by Samsung Heavy Industries, and when the order for this trio was originally placed, the size was again to be 12 600 TEU. CMA CGM also signed a long-term bareboat charter contract last July for three 16 000 TEU containerships ordered by CSSC Shipping Hong Kong, a leasing subsidiary at China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
