The French shipping company CMA CGM has announced that it will register ten new 24,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container ships under the French flag. This marks a significant commitment to enhancing France's maritime presence.

These ships, each capable of carrying 24,212 TEUs, are among the largest and most energy-efficient in the world. Rodolphe Saadé, the Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, shared the news at the 20th edition of the Assises de l’Économie de la Mer.

“CMA CGM has chosen to register ten new 24,000 TEU vessels, some of the biggest globally, under the French flag starting next year,” said Saadé. “These ships, powered by liquefied natural gas, show our trust in France’s maritime sector and its workforce. We will also hire 135 French seafarers and strengthen our partnership with the French Maritime Academy (ENSM).”

The ten ships were ordered from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in China in 2023, with the first deliveries expected in 2026.

Registering these vessels under the French flag will create job opportunities, with CMA CGM planning to hire at least 135 new French seafarers. These seafarers will receive training at France's renowned École Nationale Supérieure Maritime (ENSM).

The LNG dual-fuel ships can also use biomethane and e-methane, which help reduce CO2 emissions by 67% and 85%, respectively, compared to traditional marine fuels. They also lower emissions of sulfur oxides, fine particles, and nitrogen oxides.

Each ship will be named after a famous French monument, including CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, CMA CGM PANTHÉON, CMA CGM ORSAY, CMA CGM LUXEMBOURG, CMA CGM PONT NEUF, CMA CGM VERSAILLES, CMA CGM AUSTERLITZ, CMA CGM NATION, CMA CGM CLUNY, and CMA CGM LONGCHAMP.

These vessels will operate on CMA CGM’s key French Asia Line (FAL 1), which connects Northern Europe to Asia, with regular stops at major French ports like Le Havre and Dunkirk.

The construction of these ships is already benefiting European and French suppliers, including GTT for the LNG tanks and Bureau Veritas for certification. This move highlights the broader economic effects of the decision to register the ships under the French flag.

Overall, this initiative strengthens CMA CGM's position within France’s maritime sovereignty goals and contributes to the global energy transition in the shipping industry.