CMA CGM taps Chinese yard for LNG-fuelled newbuildings

French container shipping company the CMA CGM Group has placed an order for eight container vessels in a series to be built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding of China.

The newbuilding contract also includes options for up to four additional ships from the same series. If all options are exercised, the contract will have a total value equivalent to approximately US$2.5 billion. fo

The ships will each have a capacity of 18,000 TEUs and dual-fuel engines that can also run on LNG. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2028 and 2029.

This is the second order for ultra large containerships (ULCS) to be placed by CMA CGM in less than a month. In late January 2025, the company awarded South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) a contract for the construction of twelve 18,000TEU vessels for delivery by the end of 2028.

In July last year, HHI and sister company HD Hyundai Samho were selected by CMA CGM for the construction of twelve 15,500TEU ships. These vessels are to be delivered before the end of June 2028.