Alex Montebello, Malta Freeport Terminals’ CEO, said the port is “delighted” to announce that it has been selected to be among the weekly ports of call for CMA CGM’s super containership powered by liquified natural gas.

Mr Montebello explained that the freeport was chosen due to its high investment, saying it is “only able to attract business of this nature because of the strategic decision [it] had taken to invest in six megamax quay cranes, which have the capability to stack rows 11-containers-high onto these huge ships”.

The vessels that will call at Malta Freeport include “Jacques Saade”, which became the world’s largest LNG-powered containership when it launched last October.

The first in a new CMA CGM fleet of more environmentally-friendly super container ships, the Jacques Saade – which called at the Freeport during its maiden voyage in a symbolic gesture – spans the length of four football pitches.

The new ships, of which CMA CGM has ordered a total of nine, emit up to 20 per cent less CO2 when compared with conventional fuel-powered systems.