CMA CGM scales back plans for French-flagged fleet expansion

Shipping giant CMA CGM has announced it will scale back plans to expand its fleet under the French flag. The company decided that seven massive container ships scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 will not be registered in France.

This reversal follows previous commitments made in late 2025 to increase the group's French-registered fleet by one-third. To date, only three of the planned ten vessels have been registered under the French flag. The company cited the upcoming 2027 exceptional surcharge on large companies with profits exceeding 2.1 billion euros as a factor.

Additionally, the group noted that the French flag requires European officers on board, which results in an estimated additional cost of 1.75 million euros per ship per year.