CMA CGM has become the first major foreign carrier to register a container ship under the Indian Flag.
The shipping line welcomed the arrival of CMA CGM Vitoria at Nhava Sheva Free port Terminal on 28 April, alongside the Indian Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur.
With a total capacity of 2592 TEU, CMA CGM Vitoria serves India on the Group’s BIGEX Network, a direct link between India, the Gulf, and the Red Sea, performing weekly calls from Nhava Sheva & Mundra.
In addition to its first local flag registration in India, the group says it will register three more vessels in the coming months, underscoring its commitment to India and its ambition to further develop its presence in the country.
CMA CGM also becomes the first foreign shipping line to register a containerized vessel in the International Financial Services Centre, GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City, in India.
The 33,434 dwt CMA CGM Vitoria was built in 2008 and acquired by CMA CGM in 2022, having previously been registered to Malta.
Entering the Indian registry requires the ship to be crewed by Indian nationals and be classed by the Indian Registry of Shipping.
CMA CGM says India is a strategic country for the company, and intends to actively contribute to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
CMA CGM India general manager, Atit Mahajan, hosted the welcoming ceremony for the vessel, which was attended by key dignitaries from India’s Ministry of states for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the directorate general of Shipping, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), diplomats, partners and CMA CGM India employees.
“The recent visit of India’s Honourable Prime Minister to CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille underscores the Group’s commitment to further expanding its presence in India across shipping, intermodal transport, logistics, and terminal operations,” Mr Mahajan said.
“In particular, CMA CGM has recently opened a crew management office located in Mumbai for its fleet.
“Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group aims to have a positive social impact and has supported the education of approximately 2,350 underprivileged children in Mumbai over the past three years via 10 dedicated learning centers.”
With a 34-year presence in India and a workforce of 17,000 employees, CMA CGM said it plays a key role in connecting the country to the rest of the world through 19 weekly maritime services.
In addition to its shipping operations, the Group is actively developing port infrastructure in India, with strategic investments in terminals located at Nhava Sheva Freeport (NSFT), near Mumbai, and at Mundra Port.
The move comes after the Indian government revealed earlier in the year plans to set up a quarter-trillion rupee maritime development fund to support the country’s shipbuilding and repair industry.