Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a total of 36 Wärtsilä 34DF dual fuel engines for 12 new 18,000 TEU container vessels being built for French operator CMA CGM at the Jiangnan Shipyard in China. The vessels will run on LNG, supporting CMA CGM’s ambition to operate lower‑emission deep‑sea container ships. The engines will be delivered through Wärtsilä’s joint venture company CWEC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
The engine order for all 12 vessels was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026. The orders for seals and bearings were booked in Q1 2026 for the first four vessels, with the remaining eight vessels booked in Q2 2026.
The Wärtsilä 34DF engine platform combines high fuel efficiency, proven performance on LNG, and reliable operation across a wide range of load profiles. This delivers low lifecycle and maintenance costs and a competitive total cost of ownership for large container vessels.
Supported by a mature global bunkering network, LNG remains a practical, lower‑emission fuel for deep‑sea operators. For large container vessels operating on LNG, the engine’s ability to consistently deliver strong efficiency leads to meaningful reductions in fuel consumption and associated emissions. CMA CGM already operates more than 160 Wärtsilä 34DF engines, providing a solid in‑fleet track record that informed the decision for this next series of newbuilds.
“We have had very positive experience with this engine. Its combination of high reliability and low emission levels aligns fully with our long‑term ambition to reduce our environmental footprint,” says Xavier Leclercq, Vice-President, Newbuilding, CMA CGM.
As regulatory frameworks develop and fuel costs continue to rise, improving energy efficiency is becoming one of the most effective pathways for operators to reduce operational emissions and manage lifecycle costs. The Wärtsilä 34DF engine platform, supported by continuous technological development and broad in-service experience, helps ensure vessels can maintain competitive efficiency performance over the long term.
“Customers are seeking solutions that deliver high fuel efficiency and reduced emissions with alternative fuels such as LNG,” explains Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine. “The Wärtsilä 34DF is a proven platform that provides reliable, efficient LNG operation backed by extensive fleet experience. These attributes make it a strong fit for operators navigating increasingly stringent environmental and economic requirements.”
In addition to the 36 engines, Wärtsilä will also supply the seals and bearings, including its reputable Airguard® seal system. This will deliver pollution free tightness and oil lubricated stern tube assembly (including after and forward stern tube bearings) and line shaft bearings, for these vessels.
The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in 2027.
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