French shipping group CMA CGM and India’s Cochin Shipyard have finalized a shipbuilding contract that is being described as a landmark step for India’s ambition to become a world-class shipbuilder. The signing took place on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to India — his fourth trip to the country since 2017.
The parties had signed a letter of intent in October 2025 and spent recent months finalizing the vessels’ technical specifications. Progress also coincided with India’s rollout of a shipbuilding financial support program, issued in December by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Under the deal, CMA CGM will have six 1,700 TEU feeder container ships built at Cochin Shipyard. The LNG-fueled vessels are expected to be the first ships built in India for an international container line, highlighting the country’s ability to deliver modern tonnage and integrate LNG as a marine fuel.
According to Press Trust of India, the order is valued at $360 million, with design work to be carried out by Korea Maritime Consultants. Construction will take place at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala, with the first ship scheduled for delivery by February 2029. PTI reports that two vessels per year will follow and that the ships will be registered in India. Cochin Shipyard is also set to receive government support to expand capabilities for specialized shipbuilding; with this contract, its orderbook is reported at around $2.5 billion.
The project follows CMA CGM’s broader push in India: the group re-registered four ships in India in 2025, has already hired around 1,000 Indian seafarers, and aims to employ 1,500 by the end of 2026.
CMA CGM also plans to establish a dedicated R&D center in India in partnership with Capgemini, focusing on next-generation digital tools and AI-driven solutions to support the group’s global operations.
CEO Rodolphe Saadé told Indian media the order followed a “very attractive offer” from Cochin Shipyard, providing CMA CGM with an additional alternative to building in China and South Korea. He added the group is looking to expand its involvement in India’s container manufacturing, sustainable ship recycling, and the development of domestic container shipping.
India is targeting a place among the top ten shipbuilding nations, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic agenda. Other major carriers, including Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping, have also been increasing their engagement with India, registering ships under the Indian flag in 2025 and exploring repair and newbuilding opportunities.
