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“Sailing into the Future — India Builds, the World Watches.”

CMA CGM and Cochin Shipyard Ink Historic Deal for India’s First Container Ship Order, Marking a New Era in Shipbuilding.

In a landmark moment for India’s maritime sector, French shipping giant CMA CGM has signed a Letter of Intent with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) to build six LNG-powered, 1,700 TEU container ships, valued at $300 million — India’s first-ever container ship order. The deal follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with CMA CGM Chairman Rodolphe Saadé, highlighting India’s push to become a global shipbuilding hub. The partnership, backed by the upcoming Shipbuilding Financial Assistance (SBFA) 2.0 and CSL’s collaboration with Hyundai Heavy Industries, aims to create a domestic shipbuilding ecosystem, reducing reliance on imports. Strategically, the move diversifies CMA CGM’s production away from China amid shifting global trade dynamics. This milestone positions India on the global shipbuilding map, echoing the nation’s earlier success in the automotive sector.