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The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) revealed this in a statement following a visit to the global headquarters of CMA CGM in Marseille, France, on June 12.
The ministry stated that the visit was a continuation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s interaction with CMA CGM during his official tour to France in February this year, where India’s growing maritime sector and global partnerships were key highlights.
As part of its shipping initiatives, CMA CGM has launched its first Indian-flagged vessels, Vitoria and Manaus, and established a new Indian shipping entity at GIFT City, Gujarat.
“In shipbuilding, the group is in advanced discussions with Indian shipbuilding entities for LNG-powered container vessels, while major port and inland infrastructure investments are progressing, including a $200 million expansion at Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal and engagement in the Vadhavan Port project,” the ministry said.
MoPSW did not provide further information regarding the talks with Indian shipbuilders.
CMA CGM is one of the world’s largest backers of LNG fuel, and it has set a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Pioneering the use of alternative fuels, the group previously said it has invested more than $18 billion in orders for more than 131 dual-fuel vessels, which will be operational by 2028.
Most of these container vessels are powered by LNG.
Both South Korean and Chinese shipbuilders built LNG-powered vessels for CMA CGM.