CMA CGM to Register Ten LNG Dual-Fuel Megaships Under the French Flag

CMA CGM Group has announced that ten new 24,212 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels will join its fleet and be registered under the French flag starting in 2026. The decision, revealed by Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé during the 20th edition of the Assises de l’Économie de la Mer, underscores the Group’s commitment to France’s maritime sector and energy transition goals.

New Megaships to Strengthen French Maritime Presence

The vessels—each among the largest and most energy-efficient in the world—will operate on the Asia–Northern Europe route, with regular calls at Le Havre and Dunkirk.

“CMA CGM has decided to register ten new 24,000 TEU vessels, among the largest in the world, under the French flag starting next year,” said Rodolphe Saadé. “Powered by liquefied natural gas, they reflect our confidence in France’s maritime sector and its people, with the recruitment of 135 French seafarers and a strengthened partnership with the French Maritime Academy (ENSM). These vessels will serve two major French ports, Le Havre and Dunkirk, on the Asia–Northern Europe route, reinforcing our presence in France at a time when the sea plays an increasingly strategic role in global economic and geopolitical dynamics.”

A Step Forward in Maritime Energy Transition

The new LNG dual-fuel vessels are compatible with biomethane and e-methane, enabling potential reductions in CO₂ emissions by 67% and 85%, respectively, compared with conventional fuels. The ships will also substantially reduce sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and fine particle emissions.

Thanks to their large cargo capacity, the new vessels will improve carbon intensity per container moved, supporting CMA CGM’s broader efforts to decarbonise shipping. The company continues to invest in alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies across its global fleet.

French and European Collaboration in Design and Build

Construction of the vessels has involved a network of European and French suppliers, including GTT for LNG tank technology and Bureau Veritas for classification and certification. Each vessel will sail under the French International Register (RIF), operating in compliance with French and European regulations for safety, labour, and environmental standards.

The ships will also carry names inspired by French and European cultural landmarks, including:
CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, CMA CGM PANTHÉON, CMA CGM ORSAY, CMA CGM LUXEMBOURG, CMA CGM PONT NEUF, CMA CGM VERSAILLES, CMA CGM AUSTERLITZ, CMA CGM NATION, CMA CGM CLUNY, and CMA CGM LONGCHAMP.

Commitment to French Employment and Maritime Training

Registering under the French flag will support the recruitment of at least 135 French seafarers, many trained at the École Nationale Supérieure Maritime (ENSM). This initiative further integrates CMA CGM’s operations with France’s blue economy, reinforcing employment and skill development within the maritime workforce.

Beyond administrative registration, flying the French flag entails operational and legal obligations. Vessels registered under RIF are subject to French maritime law, regular safety inspections, and must employ qualified French seafarers. In times of crisis, ships under the national flag can also be mobilised as part of France’s strategic maritime fleet.

Enhancing France’s Maritime Sovereignty

France, which holds the world’s second-largest maritime domain, maintains a strategic focus on developing its shipping, port, and shipbuilding industries as a cornerstone of its logistical and industrial sovereignty. CMA CGM’s decision to expand its French-flagged fleet contributes to this objective by bolstering national presence on key global trade routes.