MARSEILLES-based French shipping giant CMA CGM has received the world's largest containership of 16,000 TEU to be deployed on its French Asia Line, FAL 1.

The CMA CGM Jules Vernes is to fly the French tricoleur flag and once deployed, will make an exceptional call at Marseilles to be inaugurated in the presence of French President Francois Hollande on June 4 to celebrate the company's 35th anniversary.

Its first rotation begins at Busan and calls at Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen, Shenzhen-Chiwan, Shenzhen-Yantian, Port Kelang, Suez, Malta, Marseilles, Tanger, Southampton, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Malta, Suez, Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Port Kelang and Ningbo.

The vessel is the third 16,000-TEUer to be delivered to the French carrier. It is 396 long and 54 metres abeam.