A French shipping giant has recently unveiled the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ship, which can carry 24,212 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) aboard in a single trip.

Designed by Marseille-based CMA CGM Group, the giant vessel, called CMA CGM Notre Dame, is currently the largest cargo ship operating under the French flag. It is 1,312 feet (400 meters) long, 203 feet (62 meters) wide and 246 feet (75 meters) high.

According to the company, the vessel has already begun its maiden commercial voyage from Shanghai, China. It is set to arrive in Europe in early July before its official inauguration ceremony in Le Havre, France, on July 2.

“With this vessel, CMA CGM continues the modernization of its fleet and reaffirms its commitment to the energy transition of maritime transport, while strengthening its capacity to support the growth of global trade,” CMA CGM Group, stated.

France’s largest cargo ship

The CMA CGM Notre Dame runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive. It burns cleaner than conventional marine fuels and can significantly reduce sulfur oxide and particulate emissions.

It features an 18,600-cubic-meter LNG fuel tank, which can fuel voyages between Asia and Europe. In addition, the vessel is the first in a planned series of 10 LNG-powered ships that will serve within France’s commercial fleet between 2026 and 2028. They will be built to support the firm’s goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

What’s more, the vessel’s design was upgraded to fit 280 additional containers without increasing its size. It is also equipped with advanced energy-management solutions to efficiently power and ventilate refrigerated containers through 1,600 reefer plugs.

The ship also has energy-saving technologies, such as an aerodynamic windshield system that reduces drag and lowers fuel consumption. It furthermore integrates digital technologies to improve its efficiency and safety at sea.

According to the firm, its fully digitalized bridge has real-time navigation systems, augmented reality, and 360-degree visualization tools. These are designed to help crews maneuver more safely, particularly in congested ports.

A smart design

The ship also uses advanced trajectory prediction systems to improve navigation. At the same time, several of its onboard operations are backed by AI. “Embedded artificial intelligence helps optimize routes, adjust speed, and control the vessel’s energy consumption,” the company said in a press statement.

“These systems are supported by CMA CGM’s Fleet Centers located in Marseille, Miami, and Singapore, which continuously monitor the global fleet and support crews in operational decision-making,” it continued.

Currently, the ship has been deployed on CMA CGM’s French Asia Line (FAL) that links ports including Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Singapore, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Tangier Med. The complete rotation lasts approximately 102 days.

CMA CGM Notre Dame is registered under the French International Register (RIF). The strategic move was made public in November 2025 by Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM chairman and CEO.

Despite being highly automated, the ship relies on a crew of about 30 seafarers led by Captain Nicolas Le Scornet. “The vessel offers living conditions adapted to life at sea, including modern personal spaces, high-performance permanent connectivity, and facilities dedicated to crew comfort,” the company concluded.

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