CMA CGM Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé has announced the registration of ten new 24,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ships under the French flag at the 20th Assises de l’Économie de la Mer.

The vessels, each with a capacity of 24,212 TEUs, are among the largest and most energy-efficient ships in the world. They will be delivered gradually from 2026 and deployed on CMA CGM’s French Asia Line (FAL 1), connecting Northern Europe to Asia with regular calls at Le Havre and Dunkirk.

CMA CGM said the move shows confidence in France’s maritime sector and its workforce. The company will recruit 135 French seafarers, trained mainly at the French National Maritime Academy (ENSM), to operate these new vessels.

The registration of these ships under the French International Register (RIF) reinforces France’s position as a major maritime power. The ships will operate under French law, following national rules on safety, labour, and the environment. The Group said the registration supports France’s maritime competitiveness while maintaining the high standards of the French flag.

The new ships are powered by LNG dual-fuel technology and can also use low-carbon fuels such as biomethane and e-methane. According to the company, this will cut CO₂ emissions by up to 85% and reduce other air pollutants like sulphur oxides, fine particles, and nitrogen oxides.

Their large capacity helps improve carbon efficiency per container, showing CMA CGM’s commitment to sustainable and responsible shipping.

Each of the ten vessels will be named after a French or European landmark: CMA CGM AUSTERLITZ, CMA CGM CLUNY, CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, CMA CGM LUXEMBOURG, CMA CGM ORSAY, CMA CGM PANTHÉON, CMA CGM PONT NEUF, CMA CGM VERSAILLES, CMA CGM NATION, and CMA CGM LONGCHAMP.

The vessels are being built with the help of French and European companies, including GTT for LNG tanks and Bureau Veritas for classification and certification.

CMA CGM confirmed that registering the vessels under the French flag will generate direct employment, with at least 135 French seafarers joining the company’s workforce. These professionals will be trained at ENSM, strengthening skills development within France’s blue economy. The company added that the decision also contributes to indirect employment and economic growth in the maritime sector.

A ship registered under the French flag follows French and European laws on safety, working conditions, and environmental protection. It is regularly inspected by French authorities and, in times of crisis, may be mobilised as part of France’s national strategic fleet.

Reference: CMA CGM