CMA CGM ( which translates as “ French Maritime Freighting Company – General Maritime Company ”) originally intended to name this Explorer class ship after the American politician Benjamin Franklin . However , the organisation decided shortly before its launch to give it a name in keeping with the theme of historically significant explorers of the region which began with the naming of the Marco Polo . Propelled by a single shaft , screw propeller , the Vasco De Gama travels at a top speed of 22.9 knots . With a TEU capacity of 17,859 and a tonnage of 178,228 , the ship ’ s current port of registry is London , England .

Christened in 2015 , CMA CGM ’ s Benjamin Franklin finally took the coveted name that its predecessor was denied . At a length of 399.2m , this Explorer-class vessel was declared the world ’ s largest container ship in December of 2015 . Like the Vasco De Gama , the Benjamin Franklin is driven by a single shaft , screw propeller and is capable of traveling at 22.9 knots . The vessel has a tonnage of 178,228 and a capacity of 18,000 TEU . It carries a crew of 27 people .

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