On October 15, CMA CGM announced it had signed a letter of intent to build six state-of-the-art LNG-powered container ships at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in India. This marks the first time a global liner operator has placed an order for newbuilds at an Indian shipyard.

  The six newly built 1,700 TEU container ships will be registered under the Indian flag. Designed with LNG propulsion and prepared for low-carbon fuels, these vessels support CMA CGM's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Kochi Shipyard will collaborate technically with South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the project, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031.

  This initiative underscores CMA CGM's steadfast commitment to India's maritime vision and national strategic priorities. The Group is actively investing across India's entire maritime value chain—including strategic terminals, maritime services, and shipbuilding—while also registering vessels in India. Concurrently, it is boosting local maritime employment by expanding its crew and manning operations within the country.

  Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, stated that this milestone reflects the Group's confidence in India's industrial and technological capabilities and supports Prime Minister Modi's ambition to establish India as a global shipbuilding powerhouse.

  India is a strategic market for CMA CGM, occupying a key position within the Group's global agency network. With 34 years of operations and approximately 17,000 employees in India, CMA CGM plays a vital role in connecting India to global markets through 19 weekly shipping services.