CMA CGM has outlined developments regarding fleet expansion and vessel construction as well as infrastructure development in India’s maritime and logistics sector.
India’s Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, T.K. Ramachandran, visited the global headquarters of CMA CGM in Marseille, France, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with CMA CGM officials during his visit in France earlier this year.
During the visit, Ramachandran held discussions with senior CMA CGM executives and was briefed on the company’s expanding footprint in India, which spans shipping, shipbuilding, container terminals, multimodal logistics and maritime industrial development.
Local media outlets have reported that CMA CGM outlined its “India Strategy” which is built on five key pillars: expanding Indian-flagged fleets, strengthening shipbuilding collaboration, enhancing inland logistics, increasing maritime industrial investment and innovation.
Notable developments under this strategy include the launch of CMA CGM’s first Indian-flagged vessels, CC VITORIA and CC Manaus, and the establishment of a new Indian shipping company at GIFT City in Gujarat.
The company is also in advanced discussions with Indian shipyards for the construction of LNG-powered container vessels and is making investments in Indian port and inland infrastructure, including a $200 million expansion at the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal and participation in the upcoming Vadhavan Port project.
Additionally, the company has also expressed interest in India’s ship recycling sector, particularly at Alang and is exploring opportunities to source containers and green steel from Indian manufacturers to support its global sustainability goals.
Reportedly, with a workforce of over 2,200 digital professionals already in India, CMA CGM is also considering the establishment of maritime research and innovation hubs in key Indian cities.
