The Suez Canal Authority announced that the giant container vessel CMA CGM VENDOME successfully crossed the canal for the first time on Tuesday, joining the northbound convoy en route from France to Malaysia.
The vessel, operated by the French shipping line CMA CGM, measures 399.9 meters in length, 61.3 meters in width, with a draft of 16 meters. It carries a total capacity of 24,000 TEUs and a gross tonnage of 244,000 tons. Equipped with a liquefied natural gas fuel tank of 18,600 cubic meters, the ship is designed for long-haul voyages between Asia and Europe.
The transit marks the first southbound passage of the (3 FAL) service under the OCEAN Alliance since January 2026. Chairman Osama Rabie emphasized that geopolitical challenges have reinforced the canal’s role as the most efficient and sustainable route for global trade, offering significant time and fuel savings compared to the Cape of Good Hope.
Since January, CMA CGM has operated 104 voyages through the canal, carrying a total of 12.5 million tons. Captain Daniel Martin highlighted the advantages of the Suez Canal, noting its safe and smooth passage compared to the longer, riskier Cape route, especially under adverse weather conditions.
