SPOTD: Record-Breaking CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin Arrives in Seattle

Photo credit: Northwest Seaport Alliance

The largest containership to ever dock in the United States made its inaugural visit to the port of Seattle on Monday, arriving at the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Terminal 18.

The 18,000 tue, 399 meter long CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin’s visit to Seattle is the last in a series of 4 trial-calls meant to test U.S. west coast port’s ability to accommodate larger vessels so that they can be ‘big ship-ready’ in the future. 

The vessel made its U.S. debut in late December calling at the port of Los Angeles followed by the port of Long Beach. On this second to the U.S., the ship was officially inaugurated at the port of Long Beach on Feb. 19th followed by a second port call in Oakland. 

CMA CGM has so far not made a final decision on the permanent deployment of the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin and as of now it is not clear when the vessel will return to the United States again.

This is definitely the biggest engine we’ve ever seen – 16k horsepower! #BigShipBenjaminFranklin #CMACGMusa pic.twitter.com/dl6yuQj3EA

— NW Seaport Alliance (@SeaportNW) February 29, 2016

Another beautiful aerial of the vessel berthed at Terminal 18. #BigShipBenjaminFranklin #CMACGMusa pic.twitter.com/2AgJZeXSaO

— NW Seaport Alliance (@SeaportNW) February 29, 2016

We’re on the bridge of the 18k-TEU #BigShipBenjaminFranklin! It dwarfs 10k ZIM vessel berthed in front. #CMACGMusa pic.twitter.com/NqHMo25vzG

— NW Seaport Alliance (@SeaportNW) February 29, 2016

@FossMaritime @cmacgm @SeaportNW all Foss today ?? #Marshall-Lindsey-Henry-Wedell #Terminal18 #SSA pic.twitter.com/rJ78YDq8Qs

— Rob Downs (@gohawks425) February 29, 2016

Nice touch @SeattleFire #BenjaminFranklin pic.twitter.com/lxTiFEa9JL

— Rob Downs (@gohawks425) February 29, 2016