The CMA CGM Group has announced a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the largest state-owned shipbuilder in India, to construct six dual-fuel LNG containerships. This is a significant move as it marks the first time a major international container shipping company has placed an order for LNG vessels from an Indian shipyard.
Each of the new ships will have a capacity of 1,700 TEUs and will be registered in India. They are designed to operate on LNG and are ready for low-carbon fuels, which aligns with CMA CGM's goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Cochin Shipyard will work on building these vessels with technical assistance from South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, with delivery planned between 2029 and 2031.
This order follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed by CSL and HD Hyundai in July, which sets the stage for long-lasting cooperation in areas like ship design, equipment support, and technical collaboration.
Rodolphe Saadé, the Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, expressed his satisfaction that CMA CGM is the first international shipping firm to order LNG vessels from India. He noted that this milestone demonstrates their faith in India's industrial and technological capabilities, supporting Prime Minister Modi's vision of making India a leading shipbuilding nation.
This agreement aligns with India's initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which focus on boosting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. CMA CGM is also enhancing its commitment to India's maritime sector by reflagging four vessels under Indian registry in 2025 and planning to hire 1,000 Indian seafarers by the end of the year, with an additional 500 jobs planned for 2026.
Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, stated that CSL is "pleased that CMA CGM has chosen CSL to be part of this landmark initiative." He emphasized the importance of this project, as CSL is partnering with "the largest shipbuilding group HD KSOE to deliver top-notch solutions worldwide."
The initiative supports India's Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to position the country as a global maritime hub.
CMA CGM has been operating in India for 34 years, with approximately 17,000 employees in the country. The Group runs 19 weekly maritime services connecting India to global markets and has strategic interests in ports like Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal near Mumbai and Mundra Port.
The company also has its Global Business Services headquarters in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, employing over 9,000 staff who support 160 agencies worldwide and manage over 60% of the Group's main transactional business processes. CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM's logistics arm, operates from 105 locations across 31 Indian cities, managing around 900,000 square meters of warehouse space.