by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

Despite the potential US regulations on Chinese-built ships, French liner CMA CGM secures a major deal for new boxships with Chinese shipyards.

According to Lloyd's List, CMA CGM is set to collaborate with Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), to build ultra-large containerships valued between USD 2.5 billion and USD 2.6 billion.

The contracts include constructing twelve 18,000 TEU vessels, each valued at approximately USD 208m to USD 216m. The ships are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.

The proposed action plan by the US Trade Representative Office suggests imposing fees of up to USD 1.5 million for carriers operating China-built ships.

The increased percentage of CMA CGM's orderbook at Chinese yards may result in higher levies, even though these vessels are unlikely to operate on US routes.

Linerlytica's data indicates that 35.8% of CMA CGM's existing fleet and 64.4% of its orderbook were linked to Chinese shipbuilders before this latest order.

In a related development, CMA CGM has contracted Chinese Shandong Xinneng Shipbuilding to construct a fully electric containership in partnership with NIKE.

The new build, which is an 80-metre-long, 182-TEU vessel, will be deployed in Vietnam from 2026.

With the help of a new solar farm at CMA CGM's partially owned Gemalink Terminal in Cai Mep, the electric boxship will run a 180-kilometre return trip between Binh Duong province and the terminal.