As Asia diversifies economically, global container giants are turning their gaze to India’s growing coastal shipping sector. Leading the charge are Maersk and CMA CGM, who are actively exploring entry into domestic freight services between Indian ports—marking a major shift in the country’s shipping landscape.
India’s decision in 2018 to ease cabotage rules for transshipment opened the door to foreign-flagged liners. But protectionist policies and limited Indian-flagged tonnage have kept coastal growth constrained—until now.
Key Developments at a Glance:
- CMA CGM’s Coastal Push : The French shipping giant has announced plans to reflag several vessels for Indian coastal trade, starting with CMA CGM Vitoria, previously Malta-registered and now deployed on its BIGEX service.
- More Vessels to Follow : Three more CMA CGM vessels are set to be locally registered in the coming months, underlining its long-term strategy in India.
- Historic Registration at GIFT City : CMA CGM becomes the first international shipping company to register a containerized vessel at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City’s (GIFT City) International Financial Services Centre.
- Expanding Presence : CMA CGM has also opened a crew management office in Mumbai to support its growing fleet and operations.
- Government Support : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille underscores India’s support for global shipping partnerships.
- Environmental Focus : With India's push to shift freight from roads to inland waterways, international carriers could bring much-needed infrastructure and service reliability to accelerate this transition.
While India’s domestic coastal shipping market faces hurdles—especially in infrastructure and reliability—the entry of major global players could be the catalyst it needs for substantial growth.
India is poised for a coastal freight renaissance. With top-tier carriers investing and regulatory support expanding, the domestic shipping sector could soon mirror the vibrancy of the nation’s broader logistics ecosystem.