Maersk’s First Planned Drydocking in India Marks Major Boost for Ship Repair Industry
L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard to undertake maintenance of container vessel Maersk Chattogram, strengthening India’s ambition to emerge as a global maritime hub
CHENNAI: Global shipping major A.P. Moller–Maersk is undertaking its first planned vessel drydocking in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its ship repair, shipbuilding and maritime engineering capabilities.
The Singapore-flagged container vessel Maersk Chattogram has arrived at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai for scheduled maintenance and overhaul. The project represents the first operational milestone under the memorandum of understanding signed between Maersk and L&T during India Maritime Week 2025.
The development is expected to strengthen India’s position in the international ship repair market and demonstrate the capabilities of domestic shipyards to undertake maintenance work for major global shipping companies.
The planned drydocking includes the vessel’s scheduled special survey and comprehensive maintenance of its hull, structure, machinery, equipment and propulsion systems. The work is part of the ship’s normal maintenance cycle and is intended to ensure its safety, seaworthiness and operational reliability for the next five years.
A key feature of the operation is the use of L&T Shipbuilding’s shiplift system, described by the companies as India’s largest, to lift the vessel out of the water for inspection and maintenance. The system will facilitate access to underwater sections of the ship that cannot be examined adequately during normal operations.
Drydocking is an essential part of a vessel’s lifecycle, allowing shipowners and technical teams to inspect structural components, identify defects, carry out repairs and maintain compliance with applicable safety requirements.
The project will bring together Maersk’s fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers and maritime service providers. The companies intend to focus on safe execution, quality standards, operational efficiency and the exchange of technical knowledge.
Dinesh Kumar Balraj, Head of Fleet Operations East at Maersk, said the drydocking marked an important step in translating the company’s collaboration with L&T into practical action. He said the partnership would align Maersk’s global technical requirements with India’s expanding shipyard, supplier and maritime-service capabilities.
He also expressed confidence in India’s potential to become an increasingly important global maritime hub, highlighting the role of long-term partnerships, operational experience and knowledge-sharing in developing the sector.
Arun Ramchandani, Head of Precision Engineering & Systems at L&T, said the vessel’s docking advanced the strategic partnership between the two organisations. He emphasised that combining Maersk’s international maritime expertise with L&T’s shipbuilding capabilities could strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and supply chains.
The companies believe the project can contribute to developing a stronger ecosystem involving shipyards, equipment manufacturers, subcontractors and specialised service providers.
The initiative also reflects the broader push to position India as a competitive destination for ship repair and maintenance, a segment that offers opportunities to retain maritime expenditure within the country while generating skilled employment and business for domestic suppliers.
For India, attracting the maintenance requirements of a major international shipping line is an important step towards demonstrating that its shipyards can meet global operational and technical expectations. Successful execution could help build confidence among other shipowners considering Indian facilities for scheduled maintenance and repair.
The Maersk-L&T initiative follows the memorandum of understanding signed during India Maritime Week 2025, which established a framework for cooperation in shipbuilding, ship repair and the exchange of knowledge on international standards and capabilities.
With the drydocking now moving from an agreement to an operational project, the partnership provides a concrete example of how international shipping companies and Indian industrial groups can work together to expand the country’s maritime infrastructure and technical expertise.
As India seeks a larger role across the global maritime value chain, the successful execution of such projects could help strengthen the domestic ship repair industry and support the country’s long-term ambition of becoming a globally competitive maritime hub.
Author: shipping inbox
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