The major phases OF SHIPBUILDING:

PHASE 1 – Designing the Ship

The shipyard design firm designs the vessel: the shape of the hull, cargo areas, machinery and living quarters. Nearly 400 different designs are submitted for approval to the CMA CGM naval architects, who optimise the various aspects of the project: energy consumption, cargo transportation, hydrodynamic performance, fittings, and so on. This design phase lasts around six months.

PHASE 2 – Cutting the Steel Plates

The steel plate cutting begins. The steel used is chosen based on calculations for ensuring the hull can withstand the sea. Would you believe the largest steel plates on the side of the hull are up to 8.5 cm thick? The cut steel plates are then assembled into small blocks, which are then assembled into larger and larger blocks. Entire sections of the ship (up to 30 meters long) are prepared like a giant Lego set.

PHASE 3 – Laying the Keel

The first “ship section” is placed in the dry dock. All the sections are welded together. After the keel laying, the entire hull is assembled during this phase. It lasts between four and five months. The machine superstructure and exhaust system are also installed, along with the block containing the crew quarters and the bridge. The building process is closely monitored by the expert CMA CGM – CMA Ships teams that are onsite throughout the entire build.

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

VIDEO BUILDING A CMA CGM CONTAINER SHIP

15