NEW DELHI, Feb. 18 -- Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) on Wednesday signed a $360 million shipbuilding contract with French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM to manufacture six LNG-powered container ships, each with a 1,700 TEU capacity.

The deal marks the first order for "Made in India" container ships awarded to an Indian shipyard. The vessels will be built at CSL's existing facility in Kerala, using designs provided by South Korea.

Cochin Shipyard chairman and managing director Jose V. J. said the first ship under the contract will be delivered in 36 months, with subsequent ships arriving at six-month intervals, two vessels per year.

"This is first set of container ship orders placed with an Indian shipyard. We would look at more shipbu...