India has secured its first-ever global order to build liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ships, a crucial agreement, signalling the country’s enhanced role in sustainable shipbuilding. France-based CMA CGM has signed a Letter of Intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to construct six LNG-powered box ships worth approximately USD 300 million.

Each ship will have a capacity of 1,700 TEUs and is expected to be delivered between 2029 and 2031. They will operate under the Indian flag and be built with technical cooperation from South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

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This deal marks the first time a major international shipping line has awarded an order for container ship construction to an Indian shipyard, positioning India as a viable alternative to traditional shipbuilding powerhouses like China and South Korea. The order also comes in the wake of the Indian government approving a ₹69,725-crore package to boost the shipbuilding sector’s competitiveness.

CMA CGM’s CEO, Rodolphe Saade, praised India’s industrial capabilities and quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as encouraging more investment in Indian shipyards. Cochin Shipyard’s managing director, Madhu S Nair, said the collaboration with HD Hyundai will help ensure that these vessels meet high international standards.

Analysts say the order is a defining moment for India’s maritime ambitions: it could help elevate India from a shipbuilding market holding less than 1% global market share to one of the top 10 shipbuilders by 2030, and top 5 by 2047. 

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