CMA CGM has named its latest newbuild vessel, CMA CGM Roi Arthur, a 15,000-teu methanol-powered containership, as the French carrier continues to expand its fleet of alternative-fuel tonnage.

The vessel was officially named in a ceremony that followed maritime tradition, with Captain Roman Didenko welcomed aboard as master. The ship's godmother was Ms Sun Lijun, vice-chairman of Tianjin Bridge Welding Materials Group Co., Ltd. and vice president of the Tianjin Women Entrepreneurs Association.

CMA CGM Roi Arthur will be deployed on the company's REX2 service — a liner service connecting East Asia, mainly China, with the Red Sea region, including ports such as Jeddah, Sokhna, and Aqaba. Given the ongoing security risks in the Red Sea, carriers are adjusting Suez and Cape routings and reviewing these arrangements regularly in line with updated risk assessments.

As previously reported, recently took delivery of the fifth vessel in its series of 15,000-teu methanol dual-fuel container ships, built by Jiangnan Shipyard in China. The vessel, named CMA CGM Berenice, was delivered on 24 June. And in April, the 15,000-teu methanol-powered boxship CMA CGM Esmeralda was named at a ceremony in Shanghai, whilst the 15,000-teu CMA CGM Carmen was named in March.