Sources told LNG Prime that CMA CGM is the unnamed “prominent European client” announced by Cochin Shipyard in a stock exchange filing on Tuesday.
The state-owned shipbuilder said it had bagged a “mega” order for the design and construction of six feeder container vessels, each with a capacity of approximately 1,700 TEU.
The order is worth more than 20 billion rupees ($225.2 million).
Cochin Shipyard said each of the vessels will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Moreover, the shipyard and the client signed a letter of intent on October 14 for the six vessels.
“A formal shipbuilding contract detailing the techno‑commercial terms will be signed in due course,” Cochin Shipyard said.
The shipbuilder did not provide further details.
The sources said that the feeder vessels are expected to feature type C LNG tanks and ME-GI engines.
This is the first time that CMA CGM will order LNG dual-fuel vessels in India, as the company has only ordered such vessels in South Korea and China.
Earlier this year, India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways revealed that CMA CGM is in negotiations with Indian shipbuilders to build LNG-powered container vessels.
CMA CGM is one of the world’s most prominent backers of LNG as fuel.
By 2029, CMA CGM’s dual-fuel fleet will include at least 162 vessels, including 24 methanol-powered, all designed to run on “low-carbon” fuels such as bio-methane, e-methane, and green methanol.
CMA CGM confirmation
CMA CGM confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that it has signed a letter of intent for six LNG-powered containerships to be built at Cochin Shipyard, the first international shipping company to order LNG-fueled container vessels built in India.
All six vessels will be registered under the Indian flag.
According to CMA CGM, the project at Cochin Shipyard will also be run with the technical cooperation of Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Vessels will be delivered from 2029 to 2031, in line with CMA CGM’s fleet renewal and energy transition strategy.
(This article was updated with a CMA CGM statement on Wednesday, October 15.)
