CMA CGM VENDOME makes first transit through the Suez Canal
The mega container ship CMA CGM VENDOME successfully completed its inaugural transit of the Suez Canal on June 9, joining the northbound convoy en route from France to Malaysia. Operated by CMA CGM, this impressive vessel measures 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in beam, with a draft of 16 meters and a gross tonnage of 244,000 tonnes. Capable of carrying up to 24,000 TEUs, the CMA CGM VENDOME is also equipped with an 18,600 cubic meter LNG fuel tank, enabling extended voyages between Asia and Europe.
The vessel operates on the Ocean Alliance’s FAL 3 service, which connects the Far East with North-West Europe. This particular voyage marked the FAL 3 service’s first southbound transit through the Suez Canal since January 2026.
In recognition of this significant milestone, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) provided comprehensive support for the transit. SCA Chairman Admiral Ossama Rabiee directed SCA teams to ensure a smooth passage, assigning senior pilots and deploying escort tugboats for safety. As part of the first-transit protocol, senior pilots boarded the CMA CGM VENDOME, extended a welcome to the crew, and presented a commemorative gift to the ship’s master.
Admiral Rabiee commented on the evolving landscape of global shipping, stating, “Geopolitical challenges continue to reshape shipping routes and global supply chains.” He noted that the Suez Canal’s ability to offer shorter transit times and lower operating costs is increasingly attracting carriers back to this route, away from the Cape of Good Hope. He further highlighted the canal’s capacity to accommodate the world’s largest and most advanced container ships, underscoring CMA CGM’s continued trust in the waterway. From January to May 2026, CMA CGM completed 104 transits through the Canal, accounting for a total tonnage of 12.5 million tonnes. Rabiee affirmed the SCA’s commitment to enhancing navigation services and introducing new offerings to meet customer demands and improve maritime safety.
Captain Daniel Martin, master of the CMA CGM VENDOME, emphasized CMA CGM’s strategic approach to route selection: “CMA CGM chooses the most efficient route for its customers.” He reiterated that the Suez Canal remains the preferred alternative to the Cape of Good Hope, significantly reducing voyage times and fuel consumption while offering a safer and more efficient transit.
This report originally appeared on Container News.