Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, June 19, 2015

CMA CGM helps tests ultra-large container ship towing

CMA CGM and the German Authority Havariekommando (CCME) tested CCME’s capability to tow ultra-large container vessels during an exercise held in June, according to a statement from the shipping line. CCME is a governmental agency that manages major maritime emergencies.

The vessel used for this exercise was the CMA CGM Jules Verne, the line’s 16,000-TEU flagship.

During the exercise, the statement said, the CCME ordered the Jules Verne to alter its geographical position, to take over the role of a "vessel in distress" in an emergency towing and to allow and assist representatives of the CCME to board.

The task of CCME operation forces were to board

the ship via helicopter; to evaluate the situation with the master of the CMA CGM Jules Verne; to train the communication between the on-scene-coordinator, the boarding team, the emergency towing vessels and the ship; to assemble towing connections; and to tow the CMA CGM Jules Verne on different courses.

"The collaboration between the crew of CMA CGM Jules Verne and our operative forces was excellent," said Wolfgang Knopf, the on scene coordinator. "The advantages of the Emergency Towing system on board CMA CGM Jules Verne, which is not yet compulsory for large container vessels, nevertheless provides enormous benefits for the towing operation in terms of safety and strength."