Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed a contract with French container shipping group CMA CGM for the construction of six LNG-fuelled container vessels.

The agreement was finalised on 19 February and was signed by CSL chairman and managing director Jose VJ and CMA CGM chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saade.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, including Minister of State Shantanu Thakur and Shri Vijay Kumar IAS, Secretary, MoPSW.

CSL said the project reflects the shipyard’s expanding role in the international shipbuilding market and highlights India’s growing position as a centre for next-generation, environmentally focused vessel construction.

The six vessels will operate on LNG, which is increasingly being adopted across the maritime sector as an alternative to conventional marine fuels.

CMA CGM operates one of the world’s largest container fleets, while CSL is based in Kochi, Kerala, and has developed a broad portfolio spanning cargo vessels, passenger ships and offshore units.