port-and-ship
07 March 2025
Maritime Logistics Professionalport-and-ship
Mar 07, 2025Maritime Logistics Professional
March 6, 2025
Vopak has reached a final investment decision in expanding its global industrial terminal footprint by constructing a 160,000 cubic meter tank infrastructure in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, to support the import of U.S. ethane into Thailand. Vopak's joint venture entity Thai Tank Terminal signed a landmark 15-year contract with PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited GC, a chemicals company, for the storage and handling of ethane in Thailand. The tank is expected to be completed by 2029.
Ethane will serve as a long term feedstock supply for petrochemical crackers, enhancing cost competitiveness, feedstock security and reinforcing Thailand's leadership position in the global chemical industry. Ethane has a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional feedstocks like naphtha, aligning with GCs commitment to sustainable and responsible operations.
As part of Vopak's investment strategy in Thailand, Vopak plans to allocate approximately $140 million over the next four years related to storage and other infrastructure in the Map Ta Phut region. These investments are not related to any specific project and are expected to provide accretive operating cash return upon commissioning.Â
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Global Palm Oil Output Seen Rising By 1.5 Million Tons In 2025/26, Godrej'S Mistry Saysin Commodity News
17/11/2025
Global palm oil production in the 2025/26 season is forecast to increase by 1.5 million metric tons, with output from the two major producers Indonesia and Malaysia seen increasing only slightly, leading industry analyst Dorab Mistry said on Friday.
He forecast benchmark palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia could reach 5,500 ringgit per ton in the January-to-March quarter, maintaining his September outlook, if Indonesia continued to seize plantations and pushed on with plans for a higher mandatory biodiesel blend.
Indonesia plans to implement a 50% biodiesel blend, known as B50, in the second half of 2026. The government expects to start road tests for the fuel next month.
“If Indonesia goes to B50, there will be shortages of palm oil and prices will rocket,” Mistry, a director of Indian consumer goods firm Godrej International, told an industry conference in Bali.
The Indonesian government’s plantation seizures could pose a production problem next year, he said.
Source: Reuters
Hellenic Shipping News
port & ship
18 November 20251 min readGlobal Palm Oil Output Seen Rising By 1.5 Million Tons In 2025/26, Godrej'S Mistry Says
Hellenic Shipping News
18 November 2025
port-and-ship
Mpc Container Ships Orders Four Newbuild Vessels In $232M DealNorway’s MPC Container Ships ASA (MPCC) has signed contracts with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China for the construction of four 4,500-teu container vessels, scheduled for delivery starting first half of 2028.
The contract price per vessel is $58m and the agreement includes options for two additional vessels at the same price.
Each vessel will feature advanced energy-efficient technologies, and will operate under a 10-year time charter, with extension options, for a global liner company.
The vessel design and commercial structure were optimized collaboratively with the charterer to ensure an optimal fit for their network, operational profile, and long-term sustainability objectives.
The initial charter period is expected to generate approximately $375m in revenue and around $242m in EBITDA.
According to MPCC, the project will be financed through a balanced mix of equity and debt.
This investment comes as part of MPCC’s ongoing strategy for a younger, more efficient, and environmentally compliant fleet, with reduced exposure to regulatory and environmental risks.
“Our fleet renewal strategy continues to gain momentum with this latest initiative,” said Constantin Baack, chief executive officer of MPCC. “I would like to thank the teams on both sides for the constructive dialogue and the trustful cooperation over the past months, which has been essential in bringing this project to fruition. With today’s announcement, MPCC has secured 10 newbuildings with attached charters this year, underscoring our ability to deliver value-accretive deals with top-tier partners and strengthen strategic customer relationships – while reinforcing our commitment to long-term shareholder value.”
MPC Container Ships ASA is a container tonnage provider focusing on small to mid-size container ships. Its main activity is to own and operate a portfolio of container ships serving intra-regional trade lanes on fixed-rate charters.
Shipping Telegraph
port & ship
18 November 20252 min readMpc Container Ships Orders Four Newbuild Vessels In $232M Deal
Shipping Telegraph
18 November 2025
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Over 1.6 Million Gallons Of Hazardous Waste Removed From Uss Yorktown In Major CleanupA two-year environmental remediation project on the USS Yorktown has concluded with the removal of more than 1.6 million gallons of hazardous fuel, oil, contaminated water, and nine tonnes of asbestos, preventing what authorities said had become a serious pollution threat to Charleston Harbour.
The operation, funded through a $31.6 million American Rescue Plan Act grant, was launched under a 2022 executive order after engineers warned that the ageing vessel’s corroding hull could release long-stored pollutants into surrounding waters.
According to remarks shared through his office during Wednesday’s announcement, Governor Henry McMaster said that the ship had effectively become an environmental risk that intensified each year.
His office said he believed a leak would have caused severe damage to marshes and estuaries, harmed marine life, and put at risk industries that support thousands of jobs in the Lowcountry.
The USS Yorktown was decommissioned in 1970 and brought to South Carolina in 1975, where it was transferred to the state “as is”, with all remaining fuel, oil and sludge still in its tanks. After nearly five decades resting in pluff mud, its outer hull had deteriorated to the point that pollutants were increasingly likely to escape.
The cleanup took place in two main phases:
Phase I — Completed December 2023
Phase II — February to October 2025
The USS Yorktown, built in 1943 as an Essex-class aircraft carrier, served in the Second World War, the Vietnam War, and assisted in the Apollo 8 astronaut recovery.
The ship originally replaced the first Yorktown, which was lost during the Battle of Midway. At its operational height, the 820-foot carrier was manned by around 3,300 sailors.
It is now a nationally recognised historic landmark and the centrepiece of the Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum, attracting approximately 300,000 visitors each year.
The state Office of Resilience said its chief expressed pride in the team for recognising the urgency of the situation and completing the work efficiently while securing an important historic site for the future.
References: southcarolinapublicradio, abcnews4
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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16 November 20254 min readOver 1.6 Million Gallons Of Hazardous Waste Removed From Uss Yorktown In Major Cleanup
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16 November 2025
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Turkish Red Crescent Sends 18Th Goodness Ship With 800 Tons Of Aid To GazaThe Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) has sent its 18th “Goodness Ship” with 800 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza from the Port of Mersin.
The ship mainly has food and blankets, and marks a major humanitarian effort after the recently established ceasefire in Gaza.
The aid will reach Egypt’s Al-Arish port after a 3-day voyage, from where it will be sent to Gaza.
Turkish Red Crescent President Fatma Meric Yilmaz said that Gaza “remains a wound on humanity’s conscience.”
She recounted how all crossings were blocked and aid could not reach the people who were being bombed, losing their family, friends, pets and burying their loved ones with their own hands.
She added that the recent ceasefire enabled organisations to offer help, and the Turkish Red Crescent has begun its Goodness Ship series to reach those they could not help before.
The 18th ship has 17,500 blankets and ready-to-eat food for orphaned children, the elderly and the disabled.
There are 50,000 food parcels as well.
The 17th ship had carried 510,000 canned meat products, and a million cans were sent to soup kitchens to prepare meals.
She said that Turkiye will continue its humanitarian efforts for Gaza.
Yilmaz also said that he sufferings of the Palestinians will be remembered for centuries.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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14 November 20253 min readTurkish Red Crescent Sends 18Th Goodness Ship With 800 Tons Of Aid To Gaza
Marine Insight
14 November 2025
port-and-ship
India’S Revived Yard Lands $220M Norwegian Chemical Tanker DealSwan Defence and Heavy Industries (SDHI) has secured its first major shipbuilding deal since taking over and reviving the Pipavav shipyard, signing a letter of intent (LoI) with Norway’s Rederiet Stenersen for the construction of six 18,000 dwt chemical tankers worth about $220m.
The agreement includes an option for six additional vessels of the same class. The IMO Type II ships will be built at SDHI’s Pipavav facility in Gujarat, India’s largest shipyard by dry dock capacity, which restarted operations last year under new ownership after emerging from bankruptcy.
The tankers will be designed by Norway’s Marinform and classed by DNV. Each Ice Class 1A vessel will feature a hybrid propulsion system with automation for improved manoeuvrability, lower emissions, and operational flexibility. The design also comes with the ability to convert to methanol or LNG fuel and upgrade battery capacity up to 5,000 kWh.
“This partnership marks a defining moment for SDHI and for Indian shipbuilding — our first major export of advanced chemical tankers to Norway,” said SDHI director Vivek Merchant. “The trust placed in us by Rederiet Stenersen reflects global confidence in India’s shipbuilding capabilities.”
Rederiet Stenersen, established in 1974, operates about 20 chemical and product tankers ranging between 13,000 and 19,000 dwt, trading primarily in Northern Europe.
Splash247
port & ship
12 November 20252 min readIndia’S Revived Yard Lands $220M Norwegian Chemical Tanker Deal
Splash247
12 November 2025
port-and-ship
China’S Beibu Gulf Port Welcomes Largest-Ever 200,000-Tonne Container ShipThe Beibu Gulf Port in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has achieved a major milestone with the arrival of its largest-ever container ship, a 200,000-tonne-class vessel that is 399.8 metres long.
The huge ship docked at the fully automated terminal of Qinzhou Port, which serves as the main hub of the Beibu Gulf Port cluster, on Sunday.
According to reports, loading and unloading operations began immediately after the vessel was securely berthed.
Video Credits: CCTV/Facebook
The Beibu Gulf Port consists of three key facilities, the ports of Qinzhou, Beihai, and Fangchenggang, all located along Guangxi’s southern coastline.
Over the past year, Qinzhou Port has been expanding its handling capacity by adding six new open berths to support international shipping operations and accommodate larger vessels.
Between January and September 2025, the port recorded a foreign trade container throughput of 874,000 TEUs, showing a 28.4 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
References: CGTN, Bastillepost
1. eBooks for Engine Department
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Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Marine Insight
port & ship
12 November 20253 min readChina’S Beibu Gulf Port Welcomes Largest-Ever 200,000-Tonne Container Ship
Marine Insight
12 November 2025
port-and-ship
Nigeria, Us, Uk Agencies Investigate $235M Cocaine Seizure At Tincan PortNigeria's anti-narcotics agency is working with its U.S. and British counterparts to investigate the origins of a $235 million cocaine shipment seized at Lagos' Tincan Port, in one of the country's largest drug hauls.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said in a statement on Tuesday that 1,000 kg of cocaine was discovered in an empty container at a terminal over the weekend. Terminal operators alerted the NDLEA and other port security agencies, which jointly examined the consignment.
The drugs were formally handed over to the NDLEA on Tuesday after tests confirmed the substance was cocaine.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) joined the investigation at the invitation of the Nigerian government.
"The essence of collaborating with our international partners on this case is to ensure no stone is left unturned... so that ultimately we can get all the masterminds of this huge consignment brought to book, wherever they are located across the globe," NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa said.
(Reuters)
Marine Link
port & ship
12 November 20251 min readNigeria, Us, Uk Agencies Investigate $235M Cocaine Seizure At Tincan Port
Marine Link
12 November 2025
port-and-ship
Two Oil Tankers With 1.5 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil Idle At Sea Amid SanctionsTwo tankers carrying about 1.5 million barrels of Russian Urals crude have been left idling at sea near the Suez Canal for more than a week.
Tracking data from LSEG and OilX show that the vessels Sikar and Monte 1 were both loaded with crude at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk in early October.
The Sikar, which left on 6 October, has been anchored near the Mediterranean entrance of the Suez Canal since 24 October, while the Monte 1, which departed on 7 October, transited through the canal on 30 October and is now anchored in the Red Sea.
The United States and the European Union recently increased sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, targeting its two biggest producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, for the first time. Together, these companies are estimated to account for around 5% of the global oil supply.
The new restrictions are aimed at limiting Russia’s oil income and increasing pressure on Moscow to move toward peace talks over the war in Ukraine.
Following the new measures, Russian crude is being sold in Asia at its biggest discount to Brent in a year. Refiners in India and China, two major buyers of Russian oil, have reportedly cut back on their purchases.
The Sikar has listed Port Said as its destination, while Monte 1 does not have a confirmed port to discharge its cargo. Both ships are sailing under the flag of Gambia.
Glory Shipping HK Ltd manages the Sikar, and Mariam Ship Management Service operates Monte 1. Attempts to reach both ship managers for comment were unsuccessful.
Industry analysts said that the delay shows the growing problems Russia faces in exporting its oil. The tightening sanctions are discouraging buyers and making deliveries more difficult, leaving some tankers stuck at sea with no confirmed buyers.
Reference: Reuters
1. eBooks for Engine Department
Master machinery operations, troubleshooting, and safety procedures with expertly written guides tailored for marine engineers. Prevent costly breakdowns and onboard accidents through practical knowledge.
👉 Explore Engine Department eBooks
2. eBooks for Deck Department
Sharpen your seamanship, navigation, and cargo-handling skills with real-world case studies and practical insights designed for deck officers and cadets.
👉Discover Deck Department eBooks
3. eBooks on Electrical Fundamentals & Issues
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6. Digital Maritime Courses – Learn at Your Own Pace
Upgrade your competence with Marine Insight Academy’s online courses. Learn from industry professionals anytime, anywhere, and become a safer, smarter seafarer.
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Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Marine Insight
port & ship
09 November 20254 min readTwo Oil Tankers With 1.5 Million Barrels Of Russian Oil Idle At Sea Amid Sanctions
Marine Insight
09 November 2025
port-and-ship
Maersk Signals $2B Investment To Boost India’S Port InfrastructureA.P. Moller-Maersk announced a series of strategic initiatives to strengthen its maritime ties with India during India Maritime Week 2025.
Maersk has unveiled a plan to expand its operational footprint in the country through port infrastructure investments, vessel reflagging, and enhanced local partnerships across the maritime value chain.
At the center of the strategy is a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between APM Terminals Pipavav (Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited), part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, and the Gujarat Maritime Board. The deal outlines a proposed expansion with an investment scope of $2bn (approximately ₹17,000 crore).
Subject to a long-term concession agreement with Indian authorities, the expansion will enhance the port’s capacity and capabilities with container and liquid cargo handling infrastructure, while strengthening multimodal connectivity with the Dedicated Freight Corridor and the national hinterland.
“This investment plan is not just about expanding Pipavav Port, it’s about unlocking new opportunities for Gujarat, for India, and for global trade,” said Jon Goldner, chief executive of APM Terminals Asia & Middle East. “Supporting the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji’s vision, we are building the capacity, resilience, and sustainability needed to serve India’s economy for decades to come.”
As part of its strategy, Maersk has registered a new legal entity, Maersk Bharat IFSC Pvt. Ltd., at GIFT City IFSCA, Gujarat and flagged two vessels – Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius – under the Indian flag.
The company is also deepening its collaborations with Indian shipyards for vessel repair and maintenance activities. Multiple MoUs have been signed with different yards to explore repair, maintenance, and new-building opportunities, establish capabilities that meet international operational standards, and create opportunities for knowledge transfer and skill development.
Additionally, Maersk said that it is exploring local manufacturing and the procurement of containers from Indian companies, working closely with partners to share technical specifications and quality requirements for procuring seaworthy containers, with the aim of establishing a domestic production roadmap.
“India possesses significant infrastructure capabilities that Maersk wishes to capitalise on,” noted Ahmed Hassan, head of asset strategy at A.P. Moller-Maersk. “By flagging vessels under the Indian flag, manufacturing seaworthy containers in India and engaging local yards for maintenance and repair work, we’re not just expanding our operational flexibility; we’re investing in the development of India’s maritime ecosystem and demonstrating our belief in the country’s technical capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Maersk is partnering with educational institutes and organisations focused on skill development in the maritime sector, providing onboard training opportunities to maritime cadets and ratings.
Shipping Telegraph
port & ship
04 November 20253 min readMaersk Signals $2B Investment To Boost India’S Port Infrastructure
Shipping Telegraph
04 November 2025
port-and-ship
Msc Crosses The 7M Teu MarkThe records continue to tumble for Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the world’s largest container carrier, with the latest data from Alphaliner showing the Geneva-based boxline’s fleet has breached the 7m teu mark.
The Soren Toft-led liner now has a fleet of 7,002,757 teu, with an orderbook on top in excess of 2m teu. Putting MSC’s current fleet in perspective, it is larger than the combined fleet of the Gemini Cooperation – a rival offering on the main east-west trades made up of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. Likewise, MSC’s fleet today – not including its orderbook -is larger than the combined fleets of the Premier Alliance members, a grouping of Asian liners, Yang Ming, HMM, and Ocean Network Express (ONE).Â
Last week, MSC bought the 2007-built, 3,534 teu Newnew Star 2 from Chinese owner Hainan Yangpu Newnew Shipping, with the ship expected to be renamed MSC Rabat IV, according to Alphaliner. This ship – one of around 400 secondhand ones bought by MSC in the 2020s, saw the Gianluigi Aponte-founded line crest the 7m teu mark, a size unlikely to be matched by its peers anytime soon.Â
MSC has tripled in size over the past decade via a massive newbuild campaign and a historic foray in the secondhand markets. It was at the start of 2022 that MSC became the world’s largest liner by operated container vessel capacity, surpassing Maersk, which had been at the top of the rankings for more than a quarter of a century.Â
MSC’s expansion has propelled landlocked Switzerland to become one of the top shipowning countries in the world. Online pricing portal VesselsValue released its annual chart of the top 10 shipowning nations by total asset value in January, with Switzerland creeping into ninth spot thanks largely to MSC’s container and cruise fleets.
Splash247
port & ship
04 November 20252 min readMsc Crosses The 7M Teu Mark
Splash247
04 November 2025
port-and-ship
Pakistan Navy To Commission First Chinese-Built Submarine In 2026 Under $6.5 Billion DealPakistan’s navy expects to commission its first Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine in 2026, under a defence deal worth around US$5 billion (S$6.5 billion) with Beijing.Â
According to Pakistan’s naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the project under which Islamabad will acquire eight submarines by 2028 is progressing smoothly. He told Chinese state media that the new fleet would significantly improve the country’s ability to patrol the North Arabian Sea and safeguard its maritime interests.
Under the agreement, the first four diesel-electric submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan to help develop local shipbuilding skills.
Pakistan has already launched three of the submarines into China’s Yangtze River from a shipyard in Hubei province. Admiral Ashraf reportedly said that Chinese equipment has been reliable, advanced and suited to the navy’s operational needs.
He added that the Pakistan Navy is focusing on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and advanced electronic warfare, and is exploring further cooperation with China in these areas.
The update comes after an incident in May when Pakistan’s air force reportedly used Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets to shoot down an Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft made by France. The clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours surprised many and sparked debate over the performance of Western and Chinese weapons.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan is China’s largest arms customer, accounting for more than 60 per cent of Beijing’s total weapons exports between 2020 and 2024.
China has also invested heavily in Pakistan’s infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a 3,000-kilometre route connecting China’s Xinjiang region to the deep-water port of Gwadar. The corridor, part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, gives Beijing strategic access to the Arabian Sea and a direct link to Middle Eastern energy supplies, bypassing the vulnerable Strait of Malacca.
The initiative also expands China’s influence towards Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, while strengthening its ties with Bangladesh and Myanmar, moves that analysts say increase pressure on India.
India currently operates three indigenously built nuclear-powered submarines and several diesel-electric attack submarines developed or acquired with France, Germany and Russia.
Admiral Ashraf said Pakistan’s partnership with China extends beyond defence equipment, built on trust and shared goals. He added that both countries plan to expand cooperation in shipbuilding, training, technology, and industry in the coming years.
Reference: Reuters
1. eBooks for Engine Department
Master machinery operations, troubleshooting, and safety procedures with expertly written guides tailored for marine engineers. Prevent costly breakdowns and onboard accidents through practical knowledge.
👉 Explore Engine Department eBooks
2. eBooks for Deck Department
Sharpen your seamanship, navigation, and cargo-handling skills with real-world case studies and practical insights designed for deck officers and cadets.
👉Discover Deck Department eBooks
3. eBooks on Electrical Fundamentals & Issues
Understand marine electrical systems, identify potential faults, and prevent onboard electrical failures with step-by-step explanations from industry experts.
👉Get Electrical eBooks
4. Pocket Guides for Quick Reference
Compact, handy, and loaded with essential checklists—perfect for on-the-go reference during operations and emergencies at sea.
👉 Browse Pocket Guide eBooks
5. Combo Packs to Save Big
Access multiple expert eBooks at discounted prices. Ideal for professionals seeking complete safety and operational knowledge across various ship departments.
👉 Grab Combo Pack Offers
6. Digital Maritime Courses – Learn at Your Own Pace
Upgrade your competence with Marine Insight Academy’s online courses. Learn from industry professionals anytime, anywhere, and become a safer, smarter seafarer.
👉 Join Online Maritime Courses
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Disclaimer : The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
Marine Insight
port & ship
04 November 20254 min readPakistan Navy To Commission First Chinese-Built Submarine In 2026 Under $6.5 Billion Deal
Marine Insight
04 November 2025
port-and-ship
Maersk Signals $2 Billion Investment In Indian Port InfrastructureFILE PHOTO: Crew members look out from the MV Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller as it berths at a PSA International port terminal in Singapore, September 27, 2013. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
A.P. Moller – Maersk announced a series of strategic initiatives to expand its operational footprint in India during India Maritime Week 2025, with plans centered on port infrastructure investments, vessel reflagging, and enhanced local partnerships.
APM Terminals Pipavav signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gujarat Maritime Board outlining a proposed expansion with an investment scope of $2 billion (approximately ?17,000 crore). Subject to a long-term concession agreement with Indian authorities, the expansion will enhance the port’s capacity and capabilities with container and liquid cargo handling infrastructure, while strengthening multimodal connectivity with the Dedicated Freight Corridor and the national hinterland.
“This investment plan is not just about expanding Pipavav Port, it’s about unlocking new opportunities for Gujarat, for India, and for global trade,” said Jon Goldner, Chief Executive of APM Terminals Asia & Middle East. “Supporting the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Modiji’s vision, we are building the capacity, resilience, and sustainability needed to serve India’s economy for decades to come.”
Maersk has registered a new legal entity, Maersk Bharat IFSC Pvt. Ltd., at GIFT City IFSCA, Gujarat and flagged two vessels – Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius – under the Indian flag, aligning with the growing importance of domestic tonnage for supply chain resilience.
The company is deepening its collaborations with Indian shipyards for vessel repair and maintenance activities. Multiple MoUs have been signed with different yards to explore repair, maintenance, and new-building opportunities, establish capabilities that meet international operational standards, and create opportunities for knowledge transfer and skill development.
Maersk is also exploring local manufacturing and the procurement of containers from Indian companies, working closely with partners to share technical specifications and quality requirements for procuring seaworthy containers, with the aim of establishing a domestic production roadmap.
“India possesses significant infrastructure capabilities that Maersk wishes to capitalise on,” said Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy at A.P. Moller – Maersk. “By flagging vessels under the Indian flag, manufacturing seaworthy containers in India and engaging local yards for maintenance and repair work, we’re not just expanding our operational flexibility; we’re investing in the development of India’s maritime ecosystem and demonstrating our belief in the country’s technical capabilities.”
The initiatives align with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030, which seeks to develop world-class mega ports, transshipment hubs and modernize infrastructure at an estimated investment of 1.25 trillion rupees.
CMA CGM has also committed to India’s maritime sector by signing a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited to build six dual-fuel LNG containerships in India, marking the first time a major international container shipping company has ordered LNG vessels from an Indian shipyard. The vessels will each have a capacity of 1,700 TEUs and will be registered under the Indian flag, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031.
Nearly 95% of India’s trade by volume and around 70% by value traverses the nation’s maritime routes. Maritime India Vision 2030, launched in 2021, includes over 150 strategic initiatives to modernize ports, expand shipping capacity, and strengthen inland waterways.
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port & ship
01 November 20253 min readMaersk Signals $2 Billion Investment In Indian Port Infrastructure
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01 November 2025
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