Global shipping major CMA CGM signs contract with Cochin Shipyard for six 1,700 TEU LNG-powered vessels as India’s maritime sector reforms have translated into a major commercial shipbuilding breakthrough, with global shipping major CMA CGM signing a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to construct six LNG-fuelled container vessels.
The agreement, announced on 18 February 2026, covers the design and construction of six 1,700 TEU feeder container vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The vessels will be built at CSL’s shipyard in Kochi and will be registered under the Indian flag.
The signing ceremony was held in New Delhi and was attended by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group Rodolphe Saadé, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Vijay Kumar, IAS, senior officials of the Ministry, and representatives of the partnering organisations.
In a message on the occasion, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that India and France share a deep and trusted strategic partnership spanning defence, space cooperation, clean energy and Indo-Pacific maritime security. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is advancing with a clear roadmap to become a leading maritime nation driven by sustainability, innovation and global partnerships.
He added that the collaboration between CMA CGM and Cochin Shipyard Limited demonstrates the growing confidence of global maritime leaders in India’s shipbuilding capabilities and reinforces the country’s commitment to building a strong, self-reliant and globally integrated maritime ecosystem.
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Addressing the gathering, Shantanu Thakur said the milestone has its roots in high-level strategic engagement during the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France on 12 February 2025. During that visit, the Prime Minister visited the CMA CGM headquarters along with the President of France, where discussions focused on flagging vessels in India and building new ships in Indian shipyards under India’s progressive shipping policy framework.
Following a series of meetings to finalise vessel specifications, Cochin Shipyard Limited executed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with CMA CGM for the design and construction of the six feeder container vessels, each with a capacity of 1,700 TEU and powered by LNG. Under the LoI, both sides worked towards finalising techno-commercial terms, leading to the formal shipbuilding contract.
The project adds to India’s commercial shipbuilding order book and reflects increasing global engagement with Indian shipyards under the government’s policy framework for maritime sector development. It also marks a step forward in promoting green shipping through LNG propulsion while strengthening India’s position in the global shipbuilding market.
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