Journalists Matthias Beringer and Brieuc Leturmy‑Perrocheau spent five days aboard the CMA CGM Notre-Dame during its inaugural voyage in early July [1], [5].

The vessel represents a significant milestone for the French maritime industry, showcasing the scale and capabilities of modern ultra-large container ships. Its deployment highlights France's commitment to maintaining a competitive presence in global logistics and shipping.

The CMA CGM Notre-Dame is the largest container ship flying the French flag. Measuring 400 meters in length [1], the ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower, which stands at 324 meters [2]. This massive scale allows the vessel to carry 24,000 TEU [3]. To illustrate this capacity, the total number of containers, if placed end-to-end, would form a line stretching 146 kilometers [3].

The immersion began during the ship's inauguration on July 2, 2026 [6]. The journalists and crew documented the vessel while it was docked at Le Havre in Seine-Maritime, France, and throughout its subsequent sea trials [1], [3]. The project aimed to provide the public with an immersive look at the daily operations and life aboard one of the largest ships in the world [2], [3].

Beyond its size, the vessel incorporates design features intended to improve efficiency. The ship's hull is designed to reduce emissions, reflecting a broader industry trend toward more sustainable maritime transport [3]. The five-day journey provided a detailed view of the crew's responsibilities and the technical requirements of managing such a large-scale operation [5].

“The CMA CGM Notre-Dame is the largest container ship flying the French flag.”

The launch of the CMA CGM Notre-Dame signals a strategic push by France to scale its maritime infrastructure to match the efficiency of global competitors. By deploying vessels with 24,000 TEU capacity and emission-reducing hull technology, the industry is attempting to balance the economic necessity of massive scale with increasing environmental pressures in international shipping.