On 17 September 2003, CMA CGM's container vessel "CMA CGM Yantian" called at YICT on her maiden voyage. This is the fifth container vessel christened with the name "Yantian" following the vessels "CSCL Yantian", "P&O Nedlloyd Yantian", "Norasia Yantian" and "YM Yantian".
"CMA CGM Yantian" is 295 metres long with a shipping capacity of 4,300 TEU, a speed of 24 knots at full load and a maximum draft of 12.6 metres. After being manufactured by Samsung Ship Yard in Korea at the beginning of September 2003, "CMA CGM Yantian" was immediately deployed on the America service Trans Pacific Express (TPXW), which is jointly operated by CMA CGM and Norasia. The service calls at Yantian every Monday with the rotation of Busan, Shanghai, Xiamen, Yantian, Hong Kong, Busan, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Busan, a round trip of 56 days.
Currently, CMA CGM is enhancing its shipping capacity and service standards of their America services by gradually replacing 3,000-TEU vessels with 4,000-TEU vessels. "CMA CGM Yantian" is identical to "CMA CGM Pacific" operating on the TPXW service. The launch of the new vessel and its inaugural call at Yantian signifies CMA CGM's successful expansion on the America trade routes.
By christening the new vessel CMA CGM Yantian, CMA CGM has recognised YICT's world-class service. To cope with ever-increasing shipping capacity of shipping lines, YICT will continue to upgrade terminal facilities and equipment and strengthening personnel training to ensure operational efficiency of the terminal.