CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin at Port of Los Angeles
History
Name: Benjamin Franklin
Namesake: Benjamin Franklin
Owner: CHC Second Shipping SA
Operator: CMA CGM
Port of registry: London,  United Kingdom[1]
Builder: Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry, China[1]
Yard number: H6003
Completed: 04 December 2015[1]
In service: 2015
Identification:

Call sign: 2IZK8

IMO number: 9706891

Status: In service
General characteristics [1]
Type: Container ship
Tonnage:

178,228 GT

116,356 NT

185,000 DWT

Length: 399.2 m (1,310 ft)
Beam: 54 m (177 ft)
Height: 60 m (197 ft), 70 m (230 ft) over antennae.[2]
Draft: 16 m (52 ft)
Depth: 30.2 m (99 ft)
Installed power: MAN B&W diesel engine, (63,910 kW)
Propulsion: Single shaft; screw propeller Solid
Speed: 22.9 knots (42.4 km/h; 26.4 mph)
Capacity: 18,000 TEU, Refrigerated connections 1,500 [2]
Crew: 27[3]

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is an Explorer class containership built for CMA CGM. Delivered in November 2015,[3] She is named after United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin. She is one of the largest container cargo vessels, capable of carrying 18,000 TEU.

Routes

The December 26, 2015 arrival at the Port of Los Angeles[4] marks the first time a ship of this size has been used in North America - previous routes for a ship this large were only from Asia to Northern Europe. A worldwide concern is that ports need to be able to accommodate a ship of this size when loading and unloading cargo.[3] Benjamin Franklin is about a third larger than the biggest container ships that currently visit the deep water ports of southern California.[5]

In regard to U.S. port infrastructure, Marc Bourdon, president of CMA CGM American operations, states that while some ports are ready, most ports would have difficulty with such a large ship, and that ports would need to be modified before permanent large-scale implementation could commence. One such necessary modification is for the terminal cranes to be able to reach containers stacked to the full capacity of 10 high.[3]

Engine

The Benjamin Franklin is propelled by a MAN B&W 11S90ME-C9.2, a low speed, two-stroke diesel engine. The MAN B&W 11S90ME-C9.2 was designed in house by MAN B&W with the goals of the lowest possible operational costs and fuel consumption at any load and any prevailing condition. MAN B&W ME engines have design and performance characteristics in order to comply with International Maritime Organization Tier II emission regulations.

Concept of Engine Control System

This engine has electronic hydraulic activation in order to increase flexibility with regard to fuel injection and exhaust valve activation. These two factors are adjusted in order to match operating conditions that a ship may be under. This electronic control of the start to finish of the combustion process is known as the Engine Control System. Fuel injection controls the speed in which the engine will be operating at, while the exhaust valves control the exit of combustion gases from the cylinder. The actuators for fuel injection and the exhaust valves are electronically controlled by the Engine Control System. For fuel injection, a plunger powered by a hydraulic piston is started with oil pressure. Oil pressure is regulated by a valve that is electronically controlled through the Engine Control System. Exhaust valves are opened by a two-stage exhaust valve actuator which is activated by oil delivered from an electronically controlled valve. By controlling these valves electronically, the combustion process is fully controlled by the Engine Control System.[6]

Intake and Exhaust Air

Cylinder

The frame of the cylinder is cast and fitted with access covers for the routine cleaning of the scavenge ports on the cylinder liner, a unique characteristic of two-stroke engines. The cylinder liner is produced with alloyed cast iron and contains scavenge ports as well as drilled holes for lubrication.[6]

Scavenge Air System

Air intake takes directly from the engine room to the turbocharger fitted to the engines. From the turbocharger, air is sent to be cooled through a sea water cooler then stored in a scavenge air receiver. This air is then sent to the scavenge ports on the cylinder liners.[6]

Exhaust Gas System

Exhaust from the exhaust valves are sent to a receiver to equalize the different pressures produced from each cylinder. The exhaust gases are then sent through turbochargers.[6]

Environmental Initiatives

The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin was designed to meet CMA CGM’s goals of a sustainable policy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the protection of biodiversity. CMA CGM was able to improve its Carbon dioxide emissions by 50% since 2005.[7]

Limited Greenhouse Emission

Biodiversity Preservation

Issues of Vessel Size

Vessel Size Transformation

The initial deployment of large container ships is seen in the Asia-Europe trade. In the second half of 2010, the vessels in service with Maersk Line’s Asia-Europe trade was 8,500 TEU. By 2013, the vessels in service for the Maersk Line's Asia-Europe trade increased to 18,000 TEU vessels. Until the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin berthed in the Port of L.A. in late 2015, nearly all of the world’s largest container ship (18,000+ TEU) were deployed in the Asia-Europe trade. However, 10,000+ TEU vessels represent only 10% of the total global fleet. In comparison, Maersk’s Asia-Pacific trade vessels increased from 8,600 TEU to 9,400 TEU in August 2013.[8]

U.S. Ports

The average vessel size for U.S. port calls as of 2015 is less than 6000 TEU. However recently in 2016, containerships sizing from 12,000-14,000 TEU have been calling to U.S. ports in California. Notably, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is the largest vessel to ever call to a U.S port. The Federal Maritime Commission has recognized the trend in increasing vessels size and U.S. ports have begun preparation in anticipation of the increased arrival of larger vessels. Major ports in the United States have begun dredging for 50 ft berth/channel depths and heightening their crane fleets in order to accommodate the arrival of larger vessels[8]

References

External links

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