CMA CGM Reflags Largest-Ever Containership Under U.S. Flag In Charleston

The CMA CGM Phoenix has officially become the largest containership ever to sail under the American flag, after a reflagging ceremony held on July 24 at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.

The 9,326-TEU vessel, previously registered in Singapore, now joins the U.S.-flagged fleet as part of French shipping giant CMA CGM’s plan to triple the number of American-registered ships in its service.

The Neo-Panamax vessel, built in 2013 by South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, measures approximately 1,079 feet in length and 151 feet in width, with a gross tonnage of 110,000 GT and a summer deadweight capacity of about 130,000 tons.

The company plans to reflag three additional vessels of similar size by 2025. Once completed, the expansion will fulfill 20% of CMA CGM’s goal to grow its U.S.-flagged fleet to 30 ships by 2029.

According to officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), the reflagging supports ongoing efforts to rebuild America’s maritime strength. They stated that adding large vessels like the CMA CGM Phoenix not only improves trade capabilities but also boosts national security by strengthening sealift capacity and reducing reliance on foreign carriers.

The Phoenix will operate on CMA CGM’s INDAMEX service, which connects the U.S. East Coast with South Asian countries including Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. Onboard, it will carry 21 U.S. mariners at a time, rotating among a total crew of 42 Americans. It will also serve as a training platform for future officers, hosting two cadets from U.S. maritime academies on each voyage.

CMA CGM currently employs around 15,000 people in the U.S. and moves over 5 million shipping containers annually in American trade. The CMA CGM Phoenix is the 11th vessel in its U.S.-flagged fleet, which includes ships from its American subsidiary, APL, once known as American President Lines.

Reference: US DOT

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