French shipping giant CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest backers of LNG fuel, has signed a shipbuilding deal with India’s state-owned Cochin Shipyard for LNG-powered feeder container vessels.
Cochin Shipyard and CMA CGM announced the signing of the deal for six feeder container vessels, each with a capacity of approximately 1,700 teu, in separate statements on Wednesday.
The Indian yard said the “mega” order is worth more than 20 billion rupees ($220 million).
Under the contract, the first vessel is to be delivered in 36 months and the last vessel is to be delivered within 64 months, according to Cochin Shipyard.
The deal follows a letter of intent that CMA CGM and Cochin Shipyard signed in October 2025.
This is the first time CMA CGM has ordered LNG dual-fuel vessels in India; the company has previously ordered such vessels only in South Korea and China.
Also, CMA CGM is the first international shipping company to order LNG-fueled container vessels built in India.
CMA CGM previously said that the project at Cochin Shipyard will also be run with the technical cooperation of Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
All six vessels will be registered under the Indian flag.
In addition, CMA CGM is “deeply committed to human capital development in India,” the company said.
Through CMA Ships, the group has already recruited 1,000 Indian seafarers, with plans to onboard 1,500 seafarers by the end of 2026, further strengthening the group’s role in the global maritime workforce, it added.
