The story of the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin
On 26 December 2015, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin became the first container ship above 17,000 TEU to call at a US port, docking at the Port of Los Angeles. At the time, many questioned whether American ports had the cranes and channel depth to handle ships of this size; the visit proved they could, and it opened the door for ultra-large container vessels to serve North American trade routes on a regular basis.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin notable?
In December 2015, it became the first container ship above 17,000 TEU to call at a US port, a milestone that showed American ports could handle ultra-large vessels.
Has US port infrastructure kept up with ships this size?
The successful 2015 call at Los Angeles, followed by regular ULCV service since, suggests West Coast ports adapted their cranes and channels faster than some analysts expected.
Where does this emissions data come from?
All figures are official verified data reported under the EU Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation and published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).