CMA CGM inks agreement for larger terminal in Yokohama port

The French container line has signed a reservation agreement with YKIP to relocate from terminal D4 in the Port of Yokohama to terminal D5 by October 2026.

The new terminal will be able to accommodate vessels of up to 15,000 teu in capacity, will have 20% more yard space, and a 120% increase in reefer plugs, the latter seen as presenting opportunities to grow fresh fruit shipments from South America.

Hideki Uchida, President of CMA CGM Japan, said, “As we prime for our larger vessels to ship more inbound cargoes to Yokohama, particularly fresh fruits from Central and Southern America, the enhanced operational capabilities, container yard capacity and reefer plugs at the D5 terminal is set to take our service delivery a notch up.”

Terminal D5 will be equipped with 11 “near zero-emission” rubber tyred gantry cranes, cold ironing facilities to allow vessels to plug into shoreside power, as well as the development of LNG bunkering facilities.

“Importantly, we shall be able to further decarbonise shipping and container terminal operations through the infrastructure that is planned ahead,” Uchida added.

CMA CGM has a fleet 32 LNG-powered e-methane ready ships in operation and this will increase to 77 by 2026.

Shinya Hitomi, President & CEO, YKIP, said: “The Honmokufuto D5 Reconstruction Project is part of our mid-term management plan, and is an important project that the entire company is working on. Yokohama Kawasaki International Port Corporation is committed to the redevelopment project in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the City of Yokohama, and other related organisations, in order to bring the D-5 container terminal into service as soon as possible.”

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