Exploring India’s Maritime Opportunities with CMA CGM

France-based shipping giant CMA CGM has been in talks with officials from the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) to discuss various maritime opportunities in India.

The discussions took place during a visit by MoPSW to CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille, where both parties explored collaborations in maritime transport, shipbuilding, container terminals, multimodal logistics, and maritime industrial ventures.

One of the key areas of interest is the construction of containerships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in India. CMA CGM is looking to advance these discussions with Indian entities to promote sustainable practices in the shipping industry.

Additionally, the company is eyeing the Indian ship recycling ecosystem, particularly in Alang, and plans to source containers and green steel from India to align with global sustainability goals.

Joint port and infrastructure investments are also on the agenda, with a $200 million expansion project at the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal. The recent arrival of the India-flagged boxship CMA CGM Vitoria marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime development efforts.

CMA CGM has also established a new shipping entity at GIFT City in Gujarat, showcasing its commitment to expanding its presence in the Indian market.

A Glimpse into India’s Maritime Landscape

India currently has over 1,500 vessels registered under its fleet, with the government aiming to increase this number further. To support this growth, a maritime development fund worth $2.9 billion has been allocated for new ship acquisitions and green shipping initiatives.

Furthermore, a substantial investment of $23.8 billion has been earmarked for India’s shipbuilding and maritime transport sectors. This funding will focus on expanding shipbuilding capacity to create four million gross registered tonnage (GRT) in the country.

With a focus on sustainability, India plans to launch the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) to reduce emissions from tug operations. The goal is to achieve 50% zero-emission tug operations by 2030 and fully green operations by 2047.

Overall, the collaboration between CMA CGM and India’s maritime sector signals a promising future for the country’s shipping industry, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and growth.