The CMA CGM Group has officially commenced commercial operations for the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, the largest container vessel currently sailing under the French flag. Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the Megamax vessel executed its maiden port call at Yangshan Port in Shanghai on May 22, marking a major step forward in the modernization and decarbonization of the carrier’s transpacific and Asia–Europe networks.
The vessel is the first in a scheduled rollout of ten identical 24,212 TEU sister ships named after iconic landmarks of French heritage, all set for delivery between 2026 and 2028. Following its initial loading cycle in East Asia, the ship will transit toward Northern Europe, where it will be officially named in Le Havre.
Deploying Massive Capacity on the Emblematic French Asia Line
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME features an optimized architectural design that increases its carrying capacity by an additional 580 containers without changing the vessel’s overall physical dimensions. Standing 400 meters long, 62 meters wide, and 75 meters high, the ship is engineered to carry up to 24,212 standard containers, including heavy infrastructure cargo and temperature-sensitive goods via 1,600 specialized refrigerated container plugs.
The vessel has been deployed directly onto the French Asia Line (FAL), CMA CGM’s premier liner service connecting Asian manufacturing corridors with main consumer markets in Northern Europe. Operating on an approximate 102-day round-trip rotation, the ship will maintain a fixed weekly schedule calling at major global gateways: Ningbo, Shanghai, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Tanger Med.
Connecting Artificial Intelligence with Next-Generation Navigation
The CMA CGM NOTRE DAME serves as a technological flagship for the group, embedding a variety of artificial intelligence solutions and digital systems on a fully automated bridge. The vessel’s crew, operating under the command of Master Nicolas Le Scornet, utilizes augmented reality navigation matrices that overlay real-time tracking data directly onto bridge displays. To ensure safe port berthing maneuvers, advanced trajectory prediction modeling works alongside 360-degree visualization sensors to evaluate live hydrodynamic variables.
Onboard artificial intelligence sub-routines continuously analyze meteorological data and sea currents. This information allows the system to calculate optimal routing, dynamically adjust speed parameters, and minimize overall fuel consumption. These automated onboard workflows are monitored 24/7 by CMA CGM’s global Fleet Centers in Marseille, Miami, and Singapore to support the crew in operational decision-making.
Advancing the Fleet Toward a Net-Zero Future
The deployment of the new series aligns with CMA CGM’s long-term corporate commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The vessel is built with an 18,600 cubic meter LNG tank, providing the necessary fuel autonomy to complete full Asia–Europe round trips on lower emissions. Beyond its alternative fuel propulsion, the ship incorporates secondary environmental engineering features, such as an aerodynamic bow windshield system that lowers wind resistance and intelligent energy-management solutions designed to optimize power consumption for refrigerated cargo ventilation.
In a strategic move announced by Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, the entire ten-ship series is registered under the French International Register (RIF). To support the long-term operations of these advanced vessels, CMA CGM has committed to training and employing 135 specialized French mariners to handle the sophisticated LNG and AI systems.
Deepening a Historic Operational Presence in China
CMA CGM’s history in China spans more than 33 years, expanding from a single office opened in Shanghai in 1992 to a massive intermodal network employing roughly 18,000 people. Today, the group operates more than 90 maritime services across China, managing over 290 weekly port calls. This network is further backed by the Ocean Alliance “DAY 10 Product,” which provides optimized connectivity between China, Europe, North America, and the Persian Gulf.
This deep regional footprint is also being utilized to test alternative green fuels. In March 2026, CMA CGM partnered with SIPG Energy to complete its first global biomethanol bunkering operation at Yangshan Port. The bunkering vessel transferred 3,643 tons of biomethanol to the CMA CGM OSMIUM, marking the largest single biomethanol bunkering operation ever completed at a Chinese port and showcasing the group’s practical approach to building sustainable maritime logistics networks.
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