India’s maritime sector is gaining momentum as Secretary T.K. Ramachandran visits CMA CGM’s headquarters in France. The partnership includes shipbuilding, logistics, green steel sourcing, and major port investments.
India’s maritime ambitions received a significant boost with the visit of T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to the global headquarters of CMA CGM in Marseille, France. This high-level engagement comes as a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark interaction with the CMA CGM leadership during his official visit to France in February 2025. The visit underscores India’s strategic focus on strengthening global maritime partnerships and promoting its rapidly expanding maritime sector.
CMA CGM, a global leader in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, has been steadily deepening its involvement in India across multiple fronts. During the visit, Secretary Ramachandran held discussions with senior executives of the CMA CGM Group, where the company shared its ongoing and future initiatives aligned with its comprehensive “India Strategy.” The strategy focuses on five core pillars: expansion of the Indian-flagged fleet, shipbuilding collaboration, inland logistics development, maritime industrial investment, and innovation.
One of the most notable achievements under this strategic framework is the recent launch of CMA CGM’s first Indian-flagged vessels—CC VITORIA and CC Manaus—a key milestone in enhancing India’s maritime autonomy and global shipping footprint. The company has also established a new shipping entity at GIFT City in Gujarat, India’s financial hub for international transactions and maritime financing.
Shipbuilding has emerged as another priority area of collaboration. CMA CGM is currently in advanced discussions with leading Indian shipbuilding firms for the construction of LNG-powered container vessels. These state-of-the-art ships are part of a broader push toward sustainable and environmentally responsible maritime operations, aligning with both India’s and CMA CGM’s global sustainability goals.
Significant investments are also being made in port infrastructure. The Group is undertaking a $200 million expansion project at the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal, one of India’s busiest ports. In addition, CMA CGM is actively engaged in the development of the Vadhavan Port Project, which is expected to further enhance India’s port capacity and trade connectivity.
Further strengthening India’s logistics and industrial base, the company expressed keen interest in developing inland logistics corridors and expanding multimodal connectivity. CMA CGM is exploring new opportunities in India’s ship recycling ecosystem, particularly in Alang, a globally recognized hub for shipbreaking. The Group is also looking to source containers and green steel from India, reinforcing its commitment to circular economy principles and carbon footprint reduction.
The collaboration extends into the digital domain as well. CMA CGM currently employs over 2,200 digital professionals in India, supporting various global operations. The company is now exploring the possibility of establishing dedicated maritime R&D and innovation hubs across major Indian cities. These centers are envisioned to drive technological advancements in areas such as smart shipping, port automation, and green energy solutions.
The visit also facilitated dialogue on enhancing connectivity between India and Europe through maritime trade corridors. Secretary Ramachandran and CMA CGM executives discussed how collaborative innovation can serve as a catalyst for greater efficiency and sustainability in maritime operations across the India-Europe corridor.
An official from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways stated, “The Secretary’s engagement in Marseille reflects India’s growing collaboration with global maritime players and a continued dialogue with industry leaders supporting the nation’s long-term port and shipping development vision.”
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This high-level meeting highlights the strategic importance of international cooperation in fulfilling India’s vision to become a global maritime power. It reinforces the message that India is not only open for business but actively shaping the future of maritime logistics, technology, and green innovation.
Interestingly, the momentum of this collaboration could extend into the media and public discourse as well. A television show reportedly in development with Netflix may bring the narrative of India’s maritime rise to a global audience, showcasing the transformative partnerships shaping the country’s future in the maritime domain.
