MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has announced that it will operate 12 ships under the Indian flag. This decision came after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Global Maritime CEO Roundtable held in Mumbai last week during India Maritime Week 2025.
CEO Soren Toft shared the news on LinkedIn, stating that this move reinforces MSC's long-term relationship with India and its maritime goals. "India is very important for MSC, as it continues to grow in shipping, ports, and logistics," Toft noted.
This announcement is part of a trend of significant investments by global shipping companies in India's maritime industry. Recently, A.P. Moller - Maersk revealed a plan for a $2 billion expansion of APM Terminals Pipavav, in collaboration with the Gujarat Maritime Board. They also announced that two of their vessels—Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius—will operate under the Indian flag.
During India Maritime Week, DP World committed $5 billion to improve India's infrastructure, adding to its long history of operations in the country and the $3 billion already invested. Earlier this month, CMA CGM signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited to build six dual-fuel LNG ships in India. This is notable as it is the first time a major global container shipping company has ordered LNG vessels from an Indian shipyard, with deliveries expected between 2029 and 2031.
These investments are aligned with government initiatives, including a maritime development fund of 250 billion rupees ($2.9 billion) announced in February to finance the shipbuilding and repair sector in the long term. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that the government will contribute 49% of this fund, with the remainder coming from ports and private investments.
These commitments are a part of India's Maritime India Vision 2030, which has over 150 strategic initiatives aimed at modernizing ports, increasing shipping capacity, and enhancing inland waterways, with an estimated investment of 1.25 trillion rupees. About 95% of India's trade by volume and around 70% by value depends on maritime routes.
The reflagging of ships by leading international carriers shows a strategic move to align with India's efforts to grow its domestic shipping fleet, which has struggled to keep up with its increasing trade, including energy imports and refined oil product exports.