CMA CGM has taken delivery of the CMA CGM Notre Dame, a new-generation LNG-powered vessel and the largest container ship currently operating under the French flag. With 400 metres long, 62 metres wide, and 75 metres high, the vessel is designed to carry up to 24,212 TEU.
The vessel has begun its maiden commercial voyage in Shanghai, China, before arriving in France and Europe in early July. The CMA CGM Notre Dame, the first in a series of ten 24,212 TEU LNG-powered vessels under the French flag, will be named in Le Havre on July 2.
The other nine vessels will be delivered between 2026 and 2028. Each container ship will be named after emblematic landmarks of French heritage.
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Reducing the environmental footprint
With this vessel, CMA CGM continues the modernisation of its fleet and reaffirms its commitment to the energy transition of maritime transport, while strengthening its capacity to support the growth of global trade. The ship’s architecture has been optimised to increase carrying capacity by 280 containers without increasing the vessel’s dimensions.
Beyond its LNG propulsion system, the vessel incorporates equipment designed to reduce its environmental footprint throughout operations, including an aerodynamic windshield system that lowers energy consumption and an 18,600-m3 LNG tank ensuring autonomy on Asia-Europe routes. It also features smart energy-management solutions, particularly for powering and ventilating refrigerated containers, with a capacity of 1600 reefer plugs.
A fully digitalised bridge
The CMA CGM Notre Dame integrates a range of cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence solutions to enhance operational performance. Its fully digitalised bridge provides crews with real-time navigation tools enhanced by augmented reality systems. Advanced trajectory prediction systems and 360-degree visualisation capabilities further improve manoeuvring safety, particularly during port operations.
Embedded artificial intelligence helps optimise routes, adjust speed and control the vessel’s energy consumption. These systems are supported by CMA CGM’s Fleet Centers located in Marseille, Miami and Singapore, which continuously monitor the global fleet and support crews in operational decision-making.
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French flag and seafarers
The CMA CGM Notre Dame is registered under the French International Register (RIF), as will be the entire series. This strategic decision, announced in November 2025 by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, is accompanied by the recruitment of 135 French seafarers trained to operate these ten vessels.
The ship is operated by a crew of around thirty. Designed for long-haul rotations, the vessel offers living conditions adapted to life at sea, including modern personal spaces, high-performance permanent connectivity and facilities dedicated to crew comfort.
Asia to Europe route
Deployed on the French Asia Line (FAL), connecting Asia and Europe, the vessel operates on a rotation of approximately 102 days, calling at ports including Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Tangier Med. This route is one of the world’s main trade corridors and plays a key role in supplying European economies.
Picture by CMA CGM.
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