CMA CGM Group has signed a letter of intent for six new dual-fuel LNG-powered containerships to be built at Cochin Shipyard, becoming the first major international carrier to commission such vessels from an Indian yard, the French shipping giant announced.

Each vessel will have a capacity of 1,700 TEU and be registered under the Indian flag. The project will be executed with technical cooperation from Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The initiative aligns with India's maritime development strategy and CMA CGM's Net Zero Carbon goal by 2050. The vessels are designed to run on LNG and are compatible with low-carbon fuels, significantly reducing emissions.

CMA CGM has already reflagged four vessels under the Indian registry this year and plans to recruit 1,000 Indian seafarers by year-end, with an additional 500 hires planned for 2026.

CMA CGM is expanding its footprint across India's maritime value chain, including strategic investments in terminals at Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal and Mundra Port, and its Global Business Services hub in Chennai.

CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM's logistics arm, operates across 105 sites in 31 Indian cities, managing 900,000 square metres of warehouse space. Its acquisition of Stellar VCS in 2023 bolstered its contract logistics capabilities.

Vessel deliveries are scheduled between 2029 and 2031, supporting CMA CGM's fleet renewal and energy transition strategy. Cochin Shipyard's CMD Madhu S Nair said the partnership reflects CSL's commitment to sustainable shipbuilding and global collaboration.