CMA CGM Phoenix becomes largest U.S.-flagged container ship

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has marked a major milestone with the reflagging of the CMA CGM Phoenix as the largest U.S.-flagged commercial container vessel, in a ceremony held at the Port of Charleston. The event supports the former administration’s push to restore American maritime dominance.

“Adding the CMA CGM Phoenix into the U.S.-flagged fleet is a powerful move toward reclaiming America’s maritime strength,” said Sang Yi, Acting Administrator, MARAD. “This is about more than ships; it’s also about jobs, trade, and economic strength and national security for Americans.”

Built in 2013, the Neo-Panamax vessel measures 1,079 feet in length, 151 feet in width, and has a capacity of 130,000 DWT and 110,000 GT. The Phoenix becomes the 11th U.S.-flagged vessel in CMA CGM’s fleet, with the company pledging to triple this number by 2029 as part of a $20 billion U.S. investment across maritime, logistics, and port infrastructure.

This development reinforces the strategic value of the U.S.-flag fleet, which comprises 189 vessels and plays a crucial role in national security and economic resilience. Programs like the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) continue to support U.S.-flag carriers and sustain a trained American maritime workforce.

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