Maersk Registers Two Container Ships Under Indian Flag: Strengthens Maritime Presence
In a significant boost to India’s maritime ambitions, integrated logistics powerhouse A.P. Moller–Maersk (Maersk), the world’s second-largest container shipping line, has registered two of its container vessels under the Indian flag. The development positions the Danish shipping major alongside French rival CMA CGM, which earlier this year became the first global mainline carrier to flag ships in India.
According to multiple sources within the maritime administration, the move underscores the growing appeal of India’s evolving maritime and financial ecosystem, driven by government initiatives to attract global shipowners to base operations in the country.
Two Maersk Ships Join Indian Fleet
Officials at the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) confirmed that Maersk recently registered two mid-sized container ships under the Indian flag—‘Maersk Vilnius’, with a capacity of 1,810 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), and ‘Maersk Vigo’, capable of carrying 1,740 TEUs. Both vessels, built in 2010, were previously registered in Singapore.
‘Maersk Vilnius’ was officially converted to the Indian flag on October 13, followed by ‘Maersk Vigo’ on October 21. In the maritime world, a vessel’s flag denotes the nation under which it is registered and whose laws it must follow—a key factor influencing its trade routes, taxation, and compliance framework.
Maersk Establishes GIFT City Unit
To facilitate this transition, Maersk has established a new Indian entity—Maersk Bharat IFSC Private Limited—at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The move allows the Danish major to leverage the regulatory and fiscal incentives offered by India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), which is fast emerging as a global maritime and financial hub.
“The establishment of Maersk Bharat IFSC Pvt. Ltd. marks a strategic milestone for the company’s operations in India,” an official at DG Shipping said. “The two ships being flagged in India through this entity signal Maersk’s confidence in the country’s policy environment and maritime potential.”
Maersk has not yet made an official announcement regarding the reflagging, but sources indicate that the company plans to do so during the India Maritime Week, which begins on October 27 in Mumbai. Senior executives from Maersk are expected to attend the event, where the move will likely be showcased as a symbol of India’s growing attractiveness to global maritime players.
CMA CGM Paved the Way
Maersk’s decision follows closely on the heels of CMA CGM S.A., headquartered in Marseille, which earlier this year converted three of its container ships to the Indian flag—becoming the first international liner company to do so. A fourth CMA CGM ship is expected to join the Indian registry before the end of October.
CMA CGM’s move, supported by the Indian government’s push to create a level playing field for Indian-flagged vessels and provide financial incentives for global players, appears to have set off a trend among top-tier carriers. Maersk’s entry into the Indian ship registry marks a continuation of this momentum and could encourage other major shipping lines to follow suit.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Ecosystem
The reflagging of Maersk’s vessels comes amid a broader policy thrust to enhance India’s role in global shipping and maritime logistics. The Indian Shipping Ministry has introduced a series of reforms, including tax exemptions, easier access to financing, and simplified regulatory norms for ships registered under the Indian flag within GIFT City.
These measures are designed to attract global shipping giants to domicile vessels in India, thereby strengthening the country’s control over its trade fleet and expanding employment opportunities for Indian seafarers.
“Flagging ships in India gives operators like Maersk access to India’s growing cargo base and a skilled maritime workforce, while also aligning with the government’s vision to make the country a global shipping hub,” said a senior maritime policy analyst.
A Deepening Commitment to India
The reflagging marks yet another step in Maersk’s deepening engagement with India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. Earlier this year, on February 28, Maersk held the naming ceremony of its dual-fuel methanol-powered container ship, ‘Albert Maersk’, at Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai—an unprecedented move, as it was the first time a global shipping line conducted such an event in India.
The ceremony was seen as a nod to India’s growing significance in Maersk’s global decarbonisation strategy, especially as the company aims to transition its fleet to alternative fuels such as green methanol. India, with its rapidly developing clean fuel infrastructure and access to renewable energy sources, is expected to play a vital role in this transition.
GIFT City’s Growing Maritime Role
Located in Gujarat, GIFT City has emerged as a focal point for India’s efforts to create a globally competitive shipping ecosystem. By hosting financial and maritime services under one roof, the zone offers fiscal advantages such as tax holidays and simplified regulatory compliance, making it an attractive base for international shipowners.
With both Maersk and CMA CGM now establishing Indian-flagged operations via GIFT City, the hub is gaining traction as a preferred location for global maritime players to register, finance, and manage their fleets.
A Signal to the Global Shipping Industry
Industry observers note that Maersk’s decision to register ships in India could have a far-reaching impact. The move is likely to enhance confidence among other international shipowners considering India as a viable jurisdiction for vessel registration and operations.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture,” said a senior shipping executive. “It reflects India’s emergence as a credible maritime power with the regulatory, financial, and infrastructural strength to attract the world’s leading carriers.”
As India’s maritime policies continue to evolve and GIFT City solidifies its global standing, Maersk’s reflagging initiative could mark the beginning of a new era—one where India transitions from being a major shipping destination to becoming a key global shipping registry.
With Maersk’s latest move, the tricolour is now flying higher across international waters—signalling both the confidence of global carriers and India’s growing influence in the world’s maritime trade.
Author: shipping inbox
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