The flag change at the port of Charleston. It is one of the effects of President Trump’s policy aimed at revitalizing shipbuilding in the U.S.
Charleston – The U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Maritime Administration (Marad), celebrated the return of the Cma Cgm Phoenix under the American flag, making it the largest commercial container ship in the U.S. It is one of the effects of President Donald Trump’s policy to revive shipbuilding in the States.
The official flag-changing ceremony took place at the port of Charleston, attended by Marad’s Acting Administrator, Sang Yi: “The entry of the Cma Cgm Phoenix into the American fleet represents a decisive step toward restoring our maritime strength. It’s not just about ships, but about jobs, trade, economic power, and national security for Americans.”
Launched in 2013, it is a Neo-Panamax container ship, approximately 329 meters long and 46 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 110,000 tons and a cargo capacity of 9,300 TEUs. The ship will operate on the French giant’s Indamex service, connecting the U.S. East Coast with Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.
With this addition, Cma Cgm’s U.S.-flagged fleet reaches eleven vessels. The company announced its intention to triple this number by 2029, as part of a broader $20 billion investment plan in maritime, logistics, and port infrastructure in the U.S. (READ HERE). Currently, the U.S. commercial fleet consists of 189 ships, including tankers, container ships, bulk carriers, and ro-ro vessels.
