French carrier CMA CGM is close to finalising a newbuilding agreement with Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co for up to 10 ultra-large container ships, reported London’s Riviera Media.
Shipbroking sources said the deal includes six firm orders and four optional 22,000-TEU vessels, all expected to feature LNG dual-fuel engines. DSIC is a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp.
Pricing details have not been disclosed, but a recent order by MSC for similar ships at Hengli Heavy Industry was reportedly placed at about US$220 million per unit, suggesting CMA CGM’s deal may be similarly valued.
CMA CGM currently operates 688 vessels with a combined capacity exceeding 4 million TEU, representing around 12 per cent of global market share, according to Alphaliner. Its newbuilding programme includes 106 ships totalling 1.5 million TEU.
In its Q2 earnings report, the company said two 23,000-TEU LNG-powered ships had recently entered service. CMA CGM aims to expand its dual-fuel fleet to 162 vessels by 2029, including 24 powered by methanol. It has also boosted LNG bunkering capacity via a joint venture with TotalEnergies in Rotterdam.
Clarksons reported 246 container vessels totalling 2.5 million TEU were ordered between January and July 2025, more than double the 10-year average. Analysts said 76 per cent of new capacity features alternative fuel capabilities.
Larger vessels dominate the orderbook, with Xclusiv Shipbrokers citing orderbook-to-fleet ratios of 30 per cent for neo-Panamax, 26 per cent for VLCS and 75 per cent for ULCS. The global fleet’s average age is 14 years, with 47 per cent of ships older than 16 years.
