Marfret’s technical teams marked a significant milestone at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard in China with the keel-laying of the Durande, a 1,900 TEU container ship. Set to sail in March 2025, the Durande represents the future of maritime transport for the company.
The Durande, the third in a series of four identical ships, is part of a joint venture between Marfret and German shipping company Reederei Nord. The $30 million investment highlights Marfret’s commitment to expanding its fleet with modern, efficient vessels. Measuring 172 meters in length and 27.5 meters in width, the Durande will boast 350 reefer plugs and be of the Bangkok Max type.
“This keel-laying is a symbolic moment, marking the start of our ambitious project and months of collaboration with our partners,” said Pierre Albrieux, Marfret’s technical director.
The Durande will feature cutting-edge sustainability technologies, with an optimized hull and bow design and improved engines to reduce fuel consumption by 50% at 16 knots. Initially powered by desulfurized fuel, the ship will be methanol-conversion ready, positioning Marfret to meet future environmental challenges.
The next key milestone for the project will be the ship’s launch in December 2024, ahead of its early 2025 delivery.
