CMA CGM has officially taken delivery of its latest LNG-powered container vessel, the 8,048-TEU CMA CGM Syracuse, expanding its eco-friendly fleet, reports Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.

The ship was formally inducted into the Marseille-based company's fleet on October 16 at HD Hyundai Samho's yard in South Korea. It will fly the French flag and operate on the Pearl River Express service linking Asia and the US West Coast.

CMA CGM Syracuse measures 272 metres in length and 43 metres in beam. The company currently operates over 650 vessels, with a combined capacity of 23.6 million TEU.

CMA CGM continues to prioritise LNG as its preferred alternative fuel amid tightening environmental regulations. The company previously received the 24,000-TEU CMA CGM Saint Germain in June, built by China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.

Earlier this year, CMA CGM ordered 12 LNG dual-fuel ships worth US$2.6 billion from Jiangnan Shipyard. In September, it placed an order for up to ten 22,000-TEU vessels with CSSC's Dalian yard, and in October signed a letter of intent for six LNG-powered ships to be built at Cochin Shipyard in India.