French shipping line CMA CGM has taken in charge the CMA CGM Litani, the third ship in a series of ten 9,400-TEU wide beam newbuildings, from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp and New Century Shipbuilding Corp.

The ships were ordered in September 2012 by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) with the backing of 12-year bare-boat charters to the French ocean liner, reported American Shipper.

Following a bunkering trip to Vostochny, the newbuilding will join the Far East-Mediterranean MEX 1 service, currently operated by CMA CGM and Maersk.

In early 2015 the MEX 1 will be superseded by a new arrangement between CMA CGM, CSCL and UASC and by a new loop within Maersk-MSC's 2M alliance.

The CMA CGM Litani follows the CMA CGM Elbe and CMA CGM Danube that were delivered in October and June, respectively.