CMA CGM christens “Notre-Dame” in Le Havre: Largest under French flag, with LNG propulsion

Le Havre – 02.07.2026: CMA CGM officially presented and christened on July 2 in the port of Le Havre its new container ship CMA CGM NOTRE DAME. The ship is roughly 400 meters long, about 62 meters wide and, with a capacity of approximately 24,200 TEU, is among the largest container ships worldwide. The christening took place at Terminal de France (Port 2000).

Representatives of the shipping company emphasized that the newbuilding is equipped with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system to reduce CO2 and pollutant emissions compared with ships running on conventional heavy fuel oil. CMA CGM describes the newbuilding as the first of a series of ten units of this class, which are to be put into service between 2026 and 2028 and will primarily operate on the Asia–Europe axis.

The arrival and public presentation of the ship in Le Havre were significant for the regional economy: port operators, terminal staff and local suppliers highlighted the economic effects, such as additional handling capacity and the visit of specialist personnel for maintenance. CMA CGM plans to deploy the ship on the French Asia Line, a service route connecting major ports in Asia and Europe.

The celebrations were accompanied by local representatives; media reports name, among others, the mayor of Le Havre, Édouard Philippe, as well as guest appearances from politics and business. Photos and reports show the ship during its stay from 29 June to 5 July 2026, with the formal christening on 2 July as the highlight.

The newbuilding was built in China by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding and delivered to CMA CGM at the end of May 2026. According to initial information, the ship has already completed a trial voyage and a first commercial rotation to Asia. Technical data indicate a height of about 75 meters and machinery equipment typical for the class.

Industry observers view the commissioning as a signal of CMA CGM’s continued fleet modernization and as a response to regulatory and market-driven requirements for emissions reduction. At the same time, the importance of large units for competitiveness on the main routes of world trade is emphasized.

Infrastructure issues such as berth capacity, lock times and port logistics remain a test: Le Havre is considered one of the few French ports able to accommodate such units, thereby further strengthening the connection between the shipping company and the location.