Containers are unloaded from the ship CMA CGM Everglade at Malta Freeport outside Birzebbuga, Malta, March 19, 2025.
The order marks a significant step for both parties, with South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries expected to play a technical advisory role. The ships, each with a capacity of 1,700 containers, are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2031. CMA CGM emphasized that this collaboration reflects its strategy to explore new regions for shipbuilding while supporting India’s ambitions to expand its role in the global maritime sector.
India has been implementing policies to boost shipbuilding and port development in an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign shipping services. The country aims to position itself as a competitive hub in global maritime logistics. Last month, Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the country’s second-largest shipping firm, announced plans to build tankers in India through partnerships with local companies.
CMA CGM Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé said in an interview with India’s Economic Times: “The objective is to be in a position to rely on other shipbuilding countries, and India has proven to be one.” His remarks underline the company’s confidence in India’s growing industrial capabilities and its commitment to strengthening ties with the country’s shipbuilding sector.
At present, China and South Korea dominate the global commercial shipbuilding industry. India’s entry into this field with large international clients signals its intention to increase competitiveness and attract more foreign orders. CMA CGM’s decision to place an order with an Indian shipyard is seen as a reflection of the progress made under India’s maritime infrastructure development strategy, which includes modernization of ports, shipyards, and logistics networks.
In addition to its cooperation with India, CMA CGM is also assessing opportunities to construct vessels in the United States. This consideration aligns with investment commitments the company announced at the White House in March, aimed at expanding its operations and supply chain resilience across multiple regions.
The agreement with Cochin Shipyard represents a milestone for both CMA CGM and India’s shipbuilding industry. It supports CMA CGM’s broader sustainability objectives by using LNG propulsion technology, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional fuels. The project also reinforces India’s position as an emerging contributor to the global maritime supply chain.
Through this initiative, CMA CGM continues to advance its strategy of diversifying shipbuilding partnerships while aligning with global trends toward cleaner energy and expanded industrial cooperation. The collaboration between the French shipping giant and Indian shipbuilders is expected to enhance regional capabilities and contribute to more balanced global shipbuilding distribution in the years ahead.
