CMA CGM is the first major foreign shipping company to register a container ship under the Indian flag.
The “CMA CGM Vitoria” currently serves the country as part of the French shipping company’s BIGEX network, one of the most comprehensive offers of direct connections between India, the Gulf and the Red Sea, according to the company.
As a major player in global trade and logistics, committed to the Indian economy, the Group intends to play a central role in the IMEC project linking India, the Middle East and Europe.
IMEC stands for India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and is a planned multimodal economic corridor from India via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Israel to Europe. However, its implementation is currently stuck, mainly due to the ongoing Gaza war, while temporary land routes to bypass the Suez Canal are being considered.
“CMA CGM Vitoria” ceremoniously welcomed in India
In the presence of the Indian Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, CMA CGM welcomed the arrival of the “CMA CGM Vitoria”, the first Indian-flagged container ship registered by a major foreign shipping company, in the free port of Nhava Sheva at the end of April.
Atit Mahajan, General Manager of CMA CGM India, hosted the welcome ceremony, which was attended by key dignitaries from the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Directorate General of Shipping, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), diplomats, partners and employees of CMA CGM India.
With a total capacity of 2,592 TEU, the container ship serves India as part of the Group’s BIGEX network with direct services between India, the Gulf and the Red Sea, calling at Nhava Sheva and Mundra on a weekly basis.
Three more ships planned under Indian flag
In addition to its first local flag registration in India, the Group will register three more vessels in the coming months, underlining the Group’s commitment to India and its ambition to further expand its presence in the country. CMA CGM is also the first foreign shipping company to register a container ship at the international financial services center GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City in India.
According to the company,India is a “strategic country” for the CMA CGM Group, which wants to make an active contribution to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). “The recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister to CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille underscores the Group’s commitment to further expand its presence in India in the areas of shipping, intermodal transportation, logistics and terminal operations,” Mahajan said.
“In particular, CMA CGM has recently opened a crew management office for its fleet in Mumbai. Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group aims to make a positive social impact and has supported the education of around 2,350 underprivileged children in Mumbai through ten special learning centers over the last three years. CMA CGM remains firmly committed to supporting India’s economic growth.”
17,000 employees in India work for CMA CGM
CMA CGM has been present in India for 34 years and employs 17,000 people. With 19 weekly shipping services, the company plays a key role in connecting the country to the rest of the world. In addition to its shipping activities, the Group is actively developing port infrastructure in India, thanks to strategic investments in terminals at Nhava Sheva Freeport (NSFT), near Mumbai, and Mundra Port.
Ceva Logistics, the logistics subsidiary of CMA CGM, operates in 105 locations in 31 Indian cities and manages a storage area of around 900,000m2. The acquisition of Stellar VCS in 2023 has further strengthened Ceva Logistics’ role in the Indian contract logistics sector, offering global expertise and innovative solutions to increase operational efficiency.
Shipping company aims to play central role in IMEC project
As a key player in global trade and logistics, the Group intends to play a central role in the IMEC project. With a modern fleet adapted to alternative energy sources and major port hubs in India, the United Arab Emirates and the Mediterranean, the shipping company intends to make an important contribution to the efficiency of the corridor.
In addition, a network of dry ports along the IMEC rail route, stretching from India via Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to Europe, will leverage the Group’s logistical expertise and strengthen the economic and strategic vision of this alternative trade route. By combining flexibility by sea and connectivity by land, the shipping company aims to play a crucial role in the success of the trade corridor.
