The 396m-long and 54m-wide "Marco Polo", currently the world's largest container ship sailing under UK-flag and owned by CMA CGM, has entered into service.

Built at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea, it is the first of a series of three 16,000-TEU vessels operating the French Asia Line (FAL 1), including the destinations Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Yantian, Port Kelang, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Khor Al Fakkan and Jebel Ali. The FAL1 is part of a global network of eight CMA CGM services connecting Asia to Europe currently comprising 29 units of 11,400 to 16,000 TEU.
The "Marco Polo" is equipped with the latest environmental technologies, such as an electronically controlled engine, reducing the consumption of fuel (3% on average) and of lub oil (25%), the owner said. A twisted leading edge rudder improves the hydrodynamics of the newbuilding and minimises energy expenditures. According to CMA CGM, a Pre-Swirl Stator® allows the straightening up of the water flow upstream from the propeller in order to maximise its productivity. Combined with the twisted leading edge rudder, it is said to optimise the hydrodynamics of the vessel and to reduce the consumption of energy and the atmospheric emissions.
Furthermore, an exhaust gas bypass system improves the energetic efficiency of the newbuilding, decreasing the fuel consumption by 1.5% at low speeds.