CMA CGM signs LOI to build six LNG-powered containerships in India

CMA CGM Group has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to build six 1,700 TEU dual-fuel LNG containerships in India. The agreement marks the first time a major international shipping company has ordered LNG-powered vessels from an Indian shipyard.

The ships, to be delivered between 2029 and 2031, will be registered under the Indian flag. The deal aligns with India’s maritime development goals, including Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, and supports CMA CGM’s strategy to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

The vessels will be built at Cochin Shipyard with technical cooperation from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea. CMA CGM said the ships will operate on LNG and are ready for low-carbon fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Group also announced plans to expand its Indian maritime workforce, with 1,000 seafarers to be recruited by the end of 2025 and another 500 in 2026.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, said, “I am pleased that CMA CGM is the first international shipping company to order LNG vessels built in India. This milestone reflects the trust we place in India’s industrial and technological capabilities and supports Prime Minister Modi’s ambition to make India a global shipbuilding power.” He added that India remains a strategic country where the company continues to invest, train, and innovate.

Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, said, “We are pleased that CMA CGM has chosen CSL to be part of this landmark initiative. CSL is committed to delivering high-quality vessels with sustainable solutions to meet the market expectation of the future of shipping.”

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest shipping company, has a long-standing presence in India with 17,000 employees and 19 weekly maritime services connecting Indian ports to global markets. Its investments extend across terminals such as Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal near Mumbai and Mundra Port, as well as in logistics through its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, which operates 105 sites in 31 cities.

Cochin Shipyard builds vessels for domestic and overseas clients and is the builder of the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. They said that the project reflects India’s commitment to the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The collaboration between CMA CGM, CSL, and HD Hyundai underscores the growing role of India’s shipbuilding industry in the global maritime sector.