CMA CGM Group has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the construction of six dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) containerships, each with a capacity of 1,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The vessels will be built in India and registered under the Indian flag, marking the first time a major global container shipping company has commissioned LNG-powered vessels from an Indian shipyard.
According to a press release issued by CMA CGM, the vessels will be delivered between 2029 and 2031 and will be capable of operating on both LNG and low-carbon fuels. The project will be carried out with technical cooperation from South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The initiative aligns with CMA CGM’s target to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050 and supports India’s efforts to expand domestic shipbuilding under the Maritime India Vision 2030.
CMA CGM said the new vessels will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and further strengthen its operations in India, where it has been expanding maritime, logistics, and crewing activities. The Group reflagged four vessels under the Indian registry in 2025 and plans to recruit 1,000 Indian seafarers by the end of the year, followed by an additional 500 in 2026.
“CMA CGM is the first international shipping company to order LNG vessels built in India,” said Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group. “This milestone reflects the trust we place in India’s industrial and technological capabilities and supports the ambition to make India a global shipbuilding power.”
Cochin Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair said the project represents a significant milestone for the company and reinforces its commitment to sustainable shipbuilding. “We are pleased that CMA CGM has chosen CSL to be part of this landmark initiative. We are collaborating with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to deliver high-quality vessels with sustainable solutions,” he stated.
CMA CGM has been present in India for 34 years, employing about 17,000 people across 19 weekly maritime services. The company holds stakes in key port terminals, including the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal near Mumbai and Mundra Port, and operates its Global Business Services hub in Chennai with over 9,000 employees supporting global operations.
Its logistics arm, CEVA Logistics, operates 105 sites in 31 Indian cities, managing around 900,000 square metres of warehouse space. The company strengthened its Indian presence in 2023 through the acquisition of Stellar Value Chain Solutions.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, based in Kochi, Kerala, is a public sector shipbuilding and ship repair company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It builds and repairs a range of vessels for domestic and international clients, including tankers, passenger ships, and specialised vessels.
