The CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 1st 18,000-TEU capacity container ship to call a U.S. port, has successfully arrived at the Port of Los Angeles

• The CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was welcomed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other high-ranking officials 
• Unprecedented measures were deployed to handle the berthing of the largest cargo vessel ever to call at a U.S. port: 9 cranes, 56 hours of operations, approximately 11,200 container moves 
• The CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is expected in Oakland on December 31 for her 2nd U.S. call 

The CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was welcomed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other high-ranking officials

On Saturday, December 26th, the CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN berthed in the Port of L.A. An official delegation gathering Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other high-ranking elected officials from throughout Southern California was there to welcome the vessel’s arrival.

With a capacity of 18,000 containers, she is the largest cargo vessel ever to call at a U.S. port. This call was a decision of Jacques R. Saade, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“For the first time in the U.S. History, an 18,000 container-capacity vessel called at a U.S. port. As a pioneer Group, this unprecedented call shows CMA CGM’s strong faith in long-term growth potential of the U.S. economy and our commitment to increasing our U.S. market share. Since its creation, the CMA CGM Group has demonstrated boldness: we anticipate our clients’ expectations and we are innovative in order to create bespoke solutions.” said Jacques R. Saade, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“The momentous arrival of this ship shows how the Port of Los Angeles and our maritime partners are successfully collaborating,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who visited the ship during its Los Angeles call. “Thank you to our friends at CMA CGM for their partnership, and I look forward to welcoming many more Benjamin Franklin-sized ships as our port continues to grow.”


Unprecedented measures for this “Giant of the Seas”
Receiving an 18,000-TEU capacity vessel for the first time requires long and meticulous preparation to guarantee a flawless call and fluid operations in as little time as possible.

• A full cooperation between all parties:

For several weeks, the CMA CGM Group has been working with all parties: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and city officials, Port of Los Angeles, harbor pilots, APM Terminal, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, railroads, trucking companies and many others in the maritime supply chain.

• An exceptional operations effort:

Approximately 11,200 containers were completed during this call. The operations will complete in 56 operating hours, up to 9 cranes were used on the vessel. It is the largest number of cranes deployed simultaneously on the same vessel at the Port of Los Angeles. A reinforced and highly skilled team of longshore workers were used on this unprecedented call.

• A reinforced intermodal organization :

During this call, more than 4,500 containers were to be carried by train to their final destination. For several weeks, rail cars have been pre-staged to the Port of Los Angeles to ensure fastest turnarounds. Truckers were also notified of this highest level of activity.

The CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is expected in Oakland on December 31
For its second stop in the U.S., the CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN will leave Port of Los Angeles on December 29th and is expected in the Port of Oakland on Thursday, December 31. The vessel will go under the Golden Gate Bridge on the same day, at approximately 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time. CMA CGM has launched a photo competition on Instagram to allow three winners to visit the CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN mid-February in Long Beach. More details here.