Global shipping major CMA CGM has officially launched the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, now recognised as the world’s largest LNG-powered container vessel, marking a major milestone in the maritime industry’s transition toward lower-emission shipping.
The massive next-generation containership measures 400 metres in length and 75 metres in height, with a carrying capacity of 24,212 TEUs, placing it among the largest container vessels ever built. Designed to combine scale, operational performance and environmental efficiency, the vessel represents a significant leap in marine engineering and sustainable shipping technology.
Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is expected to deliver reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventionally fuelled vessels while maintaining high operational efficiency on long-haul trade routes.
One of the vessel’s first operational milestones was a large-scale LNG bunkering operation during which 18,000 cubic metres of LNG were loaded onboard — equivalent to approximately seven Olympic-sized swimming pools. The operation highlighted the growing maturity of LNG bunkering infrastructure supporting the global shipping sector’s energy transition.
According to CMA CGM, the vessel is the first in a planned series of 10 next-generation French-flagged container ships, reflecting the company’s continued investment in cleaner propulsion technologies and advanced fleet modernisation.
The launch of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME underscores the accelerating push within the maritime industry toward innovation-driven decarbonisation, combining cutting-edge engineering with alternative fuel adoption as shipping lines prepare for stricter international environmental regulations and long-term sustainability goals.
