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The CMA CGM Group has signed a letter of intent with India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited to build six new 1,700 TEU dual-fuel containerships powered by liquefied natural gas, marking the first time a major global container shipping company has ordered LNG vessels from a shipyard in India.
All six ships will be registered under the Indian flag, reflecting CMA CGM’s support for Indian maritime policy and strategic national initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The vessels will be constructed at Cochin Shipyard with technical cooperation from South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and are designed to run on LNG while being ready for future low-carbon fuels.
This aligns with CMA CGM’s broader environmental ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The delivery of these ships is planned between 2029 and 2031 as part of the Group’s fleet renewal and energy transition strategy. Beyond shipbuilding, CMA CGM is deepening its investment in India’s maritime ecosystem, including reflagging vessels under the Indian registry and expanding employment by recruiting Indian seafarers. This landmark order reinforces India’s growing role in sustainable shipbuilding and global maritime trade.
