CMA CGM has taken delivery of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, a 24,212-TEU LNG-powered vessel that is now the largest containership operating under the French flag. Equipped with AI-powered navigation, advanced energy-efficiency technologies and lower-emission propulsion, the ship marks a major step in the company’s fleet modernization and decarbonization strategy.
Marseille | May 26, 2026 – The CMA CGM Group has taken delivery of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, a 24,212-TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership that becomes the largest vessel currently operating under the French flag. The newbuild has commenced its maiden commercial voyage from Shanghai and is scheduled to arrive in Europe in early July before its official naming ceremony in Le Havre on July 2.
The vessel marks a significant milestone in CMA CGM’s fleet modernization strategy and reflects the company’s continued investment in lower-emission shipping technologies as the industry accelerates efforts to decarbonize global maritime transport.
Largest LNG-Powered Vessel Under the French Flag
Measuring 400 meters in length, 62 meters in width and 75 meters in height, the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME has the capacity to transport up to 24,212 TEU, placing it among the world’s largest container vessels.
The vessel is the first in a planned series of ten LNG-powered ultra-large container ships that will sail under the French flag between 2026 and 2028. The series is named after iconic French landmarks and is expected to strengthen CMA CGM’s presence on major east-west trade routes.
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME has been deployed on the company’s flagship French Asia Line (FAL), connecting Asia with Northern Europe through a rotation that includes key ports such as Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Tangier Med.
As one of the busiest trade corridors globally, the Asia-Europe route plays a critical role in supporting supply chains and economic activity across both regions.
Supporting French Maritime Sovereignty
The vessel is registered under France’s International Register (RIF), reflecting CMA CGM’s commitment to maintaining a strong French maritime presence.
The decision forms part of a broader initiative announced by Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé in late 2025, under which all ten vessels in the series will sail under the French flag. The program is also expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 135 French seafarers who are being trained to operate the vessels.
Industry observers view the move as a significant contribution to French maritime sovereignty and the preservation of national maritime expertise within global shipping.
Designed for Efficiency and Lower Emissions
At the core of the vessel’s design is its LNG propulsion system, which supports CMA CGM’s long-term objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Beyond alternative fuel capability, the ship incorporates a range of technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption. These include an aerodynamic bow windshield system designed to improve airflow and lower fuel usage, as well as an 18,600-cubic-meter LNG fuel tank that provides sufficient range for Asia-Europe voyages.
The vessel also features advanced energy-management systems that optimize electricity consumption, particularly for refrigerated cargo operations. With capacity for approximately 1,600 reefer containers, intelligent ventilation and power-management technologies help reduce overall energy demand while maintaining cargo integrity.
CMA CGM said the vessel’s architecture has been optimized to accommodate an additional 280 containers compared with previous designs without increasing its overall dimensions.
AI-Powered Navigation and Digital Operations
One of the vessel’s most notable features is its fully digitalized bridge, integrating artificial intelligence and next-generation navigation technologies.
The bridge provides crews with real-time operational data, augmented reality-assisted navigation tools, trajectory prediction systems and 360-degree visualization capabilities designed to improve navigational safety and maneuvering efficiency, particularly during complex port operations.
Artificial intelligence systems continuously analyze operational data to optimize voyage routes, adjust sailing speeds and manage onboard energy consumption. These capabilities are supported by CMA CGM’s global Fleet Centers in Marseille, Miami and Singapore, which provide round-the-clock operational oversight and decision-support services to vessels across the fleet.
The integration of digital technologies reflects a growing trend across the shipping industry, where AI and data-driven solutions are increasingly being deployed to improve fuel efficiency, safety and environmental performance.
Crew Remains Central to Operations
Despite the vessel’s advanced automation and digital systems, CMA CGM emphasized that highly trained seafarers remain at the heart of operations.
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is operated by a crew of around 30 specialists led by Captain Nicolas Le Scornet. Designed for long-haul voyages, the vessel includes enhanced onboard accommodations, modern communication systems and dedicated crew welfare facilities aimed at improving living and working conditions at sea.
The company noted that human expertise continues to play a critical role in ensuring safe navigation, operational continuity and effective management of increasingly sophisticated vessel technologies.
First of Ten New Generation Vessels
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME serves as the lead vessel in a new series of ten LNG-powered containerships that will enter service progressively through 2028.
The ships are expected to become flagship assets within CMA CGM’s global network, showcasing French maritime expertise while supporting the company’s transition toward lower-carbon shipping operations.
The vessel will be officially inaugurated during a public ceremony in Le Havre on July 2, marking its formal entry into service and celebrating the arrival of the largest containership currently sailing under the French flag.
As container shipping faces mounting pressure to improve environmental performance while maintaining operational efficiency, the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME highlights how scale, alternative fuels and digital innovation are increasingly converging to shape the next generation of global maritime transport.
About CMA CGM
The CMA CGM Group is a global leader in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, guided by its corporate purpose: “We imagine better ways to serve a world in motion.”
Present in 177 countries, the Group employs 160,000 people, including nearly 6,000 in Marseille, where its headquarters are located. As the world’s third-largest container shipping company, CMA CGM serves more than 420 ports across five continents with a fleet of over 650 vessels, carrying more than 23 million TEUs in 2024.
Through subsidiaries such as CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM AIR CARGO, and CMA Media, the Group has built an integrated global platform spanning logistics, air freight, and media, while maintaining a strong commitment to energy transition, humanitarian aid, and education worldwide.
Source: CMA CGM