Integrated logistics giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), the world’s second-largest container carrier, has registered two of its container ships under the Indian flag, joining rival CMA CGM in leveraging government policies aimed at boosting the domestic shipping industry.
Copenhagen-based Maersk has established a new unit in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), named Maersk Bharat IFSC Private Limited, to own the 1,810 TEU vessel ‘Maersk Vilnius’ and the 1,740 TEU ‘Maersk Vigo’, both built in 2010. ‘Maersk Vilnius’ was reflagged on October 13, followed by ‘Maersk Vigo’ on October 21. Previously, both ships were registered in Singapore.
Ships in the maritime industry are registered under the flag of the country they operate from, and Maersk is expected to make an official announcement regarding the conversion during India Maritime Week, starting October 27 in Mumbai, according to officials from the Directorate General of Shipping. Top executives from Maersk are slated to attend the event.
The strategic move bolsters Maersk’s presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing maritime markets, supported by regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, and GIFT City’s emergence as a global shipping and financial hub. CMA CGM, Maersk’s French rival, has already reflagged three container ships since April and plans to register a fourth by the end of the month, making it the first major global carrier to flag ships in India.
Maersk has also been actively expanding its footprint in India. In February, the company held the naming ceremony of its dual-fuel methanol container vessel, ‘Albert Maersk,’ at Jawaharlal Nehru Port—the first such event conducted by a global shipping line in India. Earlier that month, Maersk signed a strategic partnership with Cochin Shipyard Ltd to collaborate on ship repair, maintenance, and construction, focusing initially on afloat repairs of vessels up to 7,000 TEUs and dry docking for ships up to 4,000 TEUs.
“India is an extremely important market for us,” said Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk. “Our collaboration with Cochin Shipyard represents our commitment to strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure amid unprecedented growth in global trade.”
Industry sources indicate that Maersk has already identified the first vessel to be sent for repairs at Cochin Shipyard, though capacity constraints remain a challenge.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest container carrier, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is reportedly exploring plans to register ships under the Indian flag to navigate potential antitrust regulations and the likely reversal of a 2018 policy allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport containers domestically without licenses.
Maersk’s recent actions underline a growing trend among global shipping majors to deepen their engagement with India’s maritime sector, signaling confidence in the country’s shipping policies and infrastructure growth.
