On 30^th April, a subsidiary company of China State Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (CSSC) - China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd., (CSTC) joined hands with her sister companies Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) co.,Ltd., the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. to undertake a container ships project from CMA CGM. Mr. Sun Wei-the vice president of CSSC Group，and Mr. Xavier LECLERCQ，Executive vice president of CMA CGM，attended the signing ceremony.  

This project was signed into effect, and set a new record for the largest single container vessel project undertaken by CSSC. It is a practical embodiment of CSSC and CMA CGM active implementation of the strategic cooperation framework agreement witnessed by Chinese and French in 2019. It is also another significant achievement of CSSC in， exploring market， and product transformation and upgrading after its reorganization and integration. The signing of the contracts marked the completion of the annual marketing task ahead of schedule by CSTC. At the same time, CSSC also achieved its business goal of this year.

All of these container vessels are the latest generation of green, efficient and energy-saving vessels which fully incorporate, the design，construction，of CSSC and key equipment such as self-branded main engines manufacturing capabilities of CSSC as a whole. The series consists of three types and 22 vessels, including six dual-fuel 15,000 TEU container vessels with a total length of 366 meters and a width of 51 meters and will be constructed by Jiangnan Shipyard; Six dual-fuel 13000TEU container vessels with a length of 336 meters and a width of 51 meters, to be constructed by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard; ten 5,500 TEU conventionally powered container vessels with a length of 255 meters and a width of 40 meters, to be constructed by BSIC. These three types of vessels were independently developed and designed by CSSC design institutes. Among them, the dual fuel 15000TEU container ship and 13000TEU container ship are designed by MARIC, using GTT MarkIII liquid cargo maintenance system, and CSSC independent brand WinGD dual fuel engines; the 5500TEU container vessels are designed by SDARI, with space reserved for adding desulphurization tower, and propelled by new generation WinGD engines as well.

Since the first quarter of this year, due to the impact of COVID-19 and the strong demand for global trade, the container market has seen a rapid recovery and become a hot spot in the shipping market, generated several large container vessel orders worldwide. During this period, the world's major liner companies have focused on upgrading their fleets, ordered latest generation of green, energy saving and environmental friendly ships in batches. CSSC also seized the opportunity of the shipping market, optimized the operation rhythm, closely persuaded all major projects, made accurate research and judgment, took the initiative in marketing, successfully secured many large container orders in the market opportunity period, firmly grasped the leading position in the market, and continuously expanded the market share and brand influence. By putting all these 22 new ships in the shipyards of CSSC, CMA CGM highly recognize of CSSC's container ship brand and service quality, as well as a fully trust CSSC's container ship construction capability and quality.

After years of cooperation, CSSC and CMA CGM have established profound cooperation and friendship. On 25^th March, 2019, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron, CSSC and CMA CGM signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement, and contracts for the construction of ten 15,000TEU ultra-large container vessels, which are moving forward smoothly. Previously, seven of the nine 23,000TEU container vessels signed by the two sides had been successfully delivered. In the process of this cooperation, CSSC has given full play to the effects of restructuring and integration and the overall advantages of shipbuilding industry chain, deepened long-term cooperation with strategic customer, actively provided all-round and precise services, and turned advantages into winning momentum. Top management of CSSC attaches great importance to it and direct it personally. As the main platform for marketing operation of the marine industry of CSSC and the main force for international business expansion, CSTC actively coordinated superior resources of design institutes, shipyards，and OEMs of engines and other equipment won the trust and affirmation of CMA CGM and ensured the smooth signing these big orders, further deepened the cooperation between the two parties, further solidated CSSC’s position in global container vessel market.

Written by Lu Zhang Cheng