The CMA CGM Notre Dame: what happens to the containers of this ocean giant?

On June 29, 2026 , the largest container ship flying the French flag entered the port of Le Havre. Its name: CMA CGM Notre Dame. Its dimensions: nearly 400 meters long , 61 meters wide , and enough to carry 24,212 containers stacked like giant Lego bricks. But once they arrive at the dock, what happens to all these metal boxes? The answer is closer than you think: these same standardized containers often end their lives as secure storage containers , in a garden, on a construction site, or behind a workshop. That's precisely Cubner's business. Come aboard, we'll explain everything.

A 400-meter colossus: the figures that make your head spin.

It's hard to grasp the sheer size of such a ship. The CMA CGM Notre Dame is approximately 400 meters long : if it stood upright, it would be taller than the Eiffel Tower. At 61 meters wide and with a capacity of 24,212 TEU , it is one of ten new ocean giants ordered by the Marseille-based shipping company CMA CGM, the world's third-largest carrier . Its distinguishing feature: it runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG) , a cleaner fuel than traditional heavy fuel oil. In terms of power, we're talking about tens of thousands of horsepower —the equivalent of the combined traction of several high-speed trains (TGVs) running simultaneously. A behemoth designed to connect Asia to Europe in just over 100 days.

The ship's identity card

• Length: nearly 400 meters (taller than the Eiffel Tower lying down) Width: 61 meters, which is the width of a football pitch. Capacity: 18,000 TEU, of which approximately 2,200 refrigerated containers Motorization: liquefied natural gas (LNG)Cleaner than heavy fuel oil. Construction: shipyard in China, commissioned in 2026 Route operated: Asia – Europe (Ningbo, Shanghai, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg…)

What is an "EVP"? The standard box explained simply

When discussing the capacity of a container ship, we don't measure it in tons but in TEUs: Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units . One TEU corresponds to a 20-foot container , or approximately 6 meters long —the basic building block of global maritime transport. A 40-foot container therefore counts as 2 TEUs . This standardization represents a small logistical revolution: everywhere in the world, containers have the same dimensions, allowing them to be stacked, secured, and transferred from a ship to a truck without ever disturbing the goods inside. And it's this same universal container that you can install at home as a storage container to store and secure your belongings.

From maritime freight to storage container: the second life of shipping boxes

A shipping container is designed to withstand years at sea: strong winds, salt spray, and being stacked under several tons . This robustness makes it an ideal candidate for a second life on land , in a stationary environment. Once unloaded, it doesn't necessarily return to sea: if it's deemed too worn for maritime transport, it can be bought back, refurbished, and resold as a storage container . This is precisely where Cubner comes in: the company selects, inspects, and delivers these refurbished containers throughout France thanks to 13 depots located across the country.

New, first trip or second-hand: what are the differences?

Not all containers are created equal. For storage container use , there are three main categories , and the choice depends on your budget and aesthetic requirements. A used container has already traveled for several years: it is functional but shows signs of wear (marks, small dents, surface rust). Conversely, a "one-trip" container is considered brand new in the industry.

The "first voyage" container and the lifetime guarantee

A "one-trip" container is a container that has made a single journey from its place of manufacture in China to its port of destination in Europe. Having suffered no wear and tear from repeated use, it is considered brand new. This is the only type of container on which Cubner offers its lifetime warranty —a commitment that only Cubner in France can provide . This warranty never applies to used containers, which by their very nature have already been used. If you are looking for pristine and durable storage space, this is the best choice.

From the container ship to your land: the summary table

Why Cubner?

• 13 deposits distributed throughout France for fast delivery as close as possible to your home
• 12 years of experience and more than 10,000 containers delivered to professionals and individuals
• Lifetime warranty on first-journey containers
• Cubner is the only French company to propose it
• A complete range: 20-foot to 45-foot Pallet Wideboth new and used

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