Headlines
France's CMA CGM places first vessel order in India
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on October 15, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Summary
CMA CGM orders six LNG vessels from Cochin Shipyard, marking its first Indian order. This move aligns with India's shipbuilding expansion goals.
CMA CGM Makes Historic Vessel Order with Indian Shipbuilders
CMA CGM's Strategic Move in Shipbuilding
PARIS (Reuters) -France's CMA CGM on Tuesday announced a first-ever order for Indian-built vessels, saying the country's focus on shipping infrastructure created an opportunity to diversify the group's shipbuilding supply.
Details of the Vessel Order
CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping firm, said in a statement it had signed a letter of intent for six vessels powered by liquefied natural gas to be built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
India's Shipbuilding Ambitions
The order, in which South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will have a technical role, covers smaller-scale vessels with a capacity of 1,700 containers each to be delivered between 2029 and 2031, CMA CGM said.
Global Shipping Landscape
India is aiming to expand shipbuilding and port capacity to become less reliant on foreign freight firms. Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said last month it wants to build tankers in India through tie-ups with local companies.
"The objective is to be in a position to rely on other shipbuilding countries, and India has proven to be one," CMA CGM's Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade said in an interview with India's Economic Times newspaper.
China and South Korea dominate commercial shipbuilding. China's leading role, however, is among the sources of tension in its wider trade war with the United States. Both Washington and Beijing imposed port fees this week on vessels with links to the other country.
CMA CGM is also studying the potential of having vessels built in the United States as part of investment commitments unveiled at the White House in March.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Joe Bavier)
Key Takeaways
- •CMA CGM orders six LNG-powered vessels from India.
- •Cochin Shipyard Limited will build the vessels.
- •HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will provide technical support.
- •India aims to expand its shipbuilding capacity.
- •CMA CGM explores shipbuilding opportunities in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions about France's CMA CGM places first vessel order in India
1What is CMA CGM?
CMA CGM is a French container transportation and shipping company, recognized as one of the largest in the world, specializing in maritime logistics and shipping services.
2What is liquefied natural gas (LNG)?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state for ease of storage and transport, primarily used as a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels.
3What is shipbuilding?
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels, involving various processes including design, engineering, and assembly of marine vessels.
4What are container ships?
Container ships are large vessels designed to carry standardized cargo containers, facilitating efficient maritime transport of goods across global trade routes.
