DP World Southampton Awaits the Arrival of
CMA CGM Andromeda to Set New Terminal Record

DP World Southampton is gearing up for the arrival of the CMA CGM Andromeda, which will set a new record for the largest containership to ever be handled at the terminal, scheduled to arrive on Saturday 18 April 2009 as part of her inaugural deployment between Asia and Europe.

CMA CGM Andromeda weighs in at 131,000 gross tonnes, is 363 metres in length and has a capacity of up to 11,400 TEU. 

Campbell Mason, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming CMA CGM Andromeda, her captain and crew to Southampton, as her first port of call in Western Europe, on her inaugural voyage between Asia and Europe.

“This is another milestone in the container port’s history.  A key reason for our heavy investment in enhanced operational capability, such as super post-panamax cranes is to meet the ongoing industry trend toward larger vessels which enable shipping lines to derive economies of scale.  We are growing to meet our customers’ needs.”

CMA CGM Andromeda, which will be carrying dry cargo such as manufactured goods destined for the high street, is the latest in a succession of record arrivals for DP World Southampton.

In February, Marit Maersk was the longest-ever vessel to call in at Southampton. She is four metres longer than CMA CGM Andromeda but has less carrying capacity.

Last November the CMA CGM Vela, at 347m and with an 11,040 TEU capacity, took the crown from the CMA CGM Orfeo before being eclipsed by the CMA CGM Andromeda.

The vessel is also reportedly one of the most environmentally-friendly ships in the world.  Her Fast Oil Recovery System eliminates the need to hole the vessel’s hull, in the event of an emergency, which in turn reduces the risk of oil escaping.  The ship’s electronically-controlled main engine is able to optimize fuel and lubricants consumption, which are respectively reduced by 3% and 25%.  Other green measures include onboard waste recycling and a module that allows the vessel to plug into alternative power sources.

Notes to Editors

1. DP World Southampton is the UK's second largest container terminal.
2. DP World Southampton is a joint venture between DP World (51%) and Associated British Ports (ABP)
3. DP World Southampton commissioned two super post-panamax cranes in July 2008 with a further two super post-panamax cranes scheduled to be delivered in operation in summer 2009.
4. In 2007, DP World Southampton handled 1.9 million TEU - a 26% increase compared to 2006 (1.5 million TEU).
5. DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49¹ terminals and 12 new developments across 31 countries².
6. In 2008, DP World handled more than 46.8 million TEU across its portfolio - an increase of 18% on 2006.
7. CMA CGM Andromeda, which has a 45.6m width and a depth-to-main-deck of nearly 30m, was handed over to CMA CGM on 17 March 2009 by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, at Yard Number 1992, South Korea.

¹ Two terminals in Algeria will join the portfolio in the first half of 2009
² As of February 2009