On Tuesday in Marseille, CMA-CGM, which manages the Malta Freeport, launched its biggest vessel, the Fidelio, in a spectacular ceremony that was attended by several dignitaries including the Mayor of Marseille, Jean-Claude Gaudin, the Prefect of the Region Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, Christian Fremont, and several representatives of local and national institutions.

Malta’s Ambassador to France, Dr Vicki Ann Cremona, and Josephine Vassallo, representing Malta Enterprise, also attended.

The ship was launched by Dame Ellen Macarthur, the world’s most famous round the world female solo sailor, who is being sponsored by CMA-CGM in her Asian challenge: The Asian Record Circuit.

The Fidelio can transport 9,400 containers. It can be considered a true giant of the seas, it is 349m long (i.e. the equivalent of three football pitches) and 64m high. It can travel at a maximum speed of 24 knots (45km/h). Its cost is also gigantic: US$ 90 million.

CMA-CGM is the third largest shipowner in the world and has ordered three more vessels similar to the Fidelio from the Korean company Hyundai, which should be delivered by the end of the year. Between now and 2009 the fleet will be enlarged by more than 70 vessels, eight of which will be even bigger than the giant Fidelio with a capacity of 9,700 containers.

CMA-CGM plans to invest further in Malta by installing four new super-cranes at the Freeport in order to handle this type of cargo ship.

In a touching ceremony before the launch, Jacques Saade, president of CMA-CGM, was decorated with the highest French honour, the Legion d’Honneur for his contribution to France’s economic development. Lebanese-born, Mr Saade left Lebanon because of the civil war and settled in France where he founded CMA in 1978 in Marseille. In 1996 he took over CGM and merged the two companies, and acquired the French shipping group Delmas in 2005.