Global shipping giants rush to reflag vessels under the Indian flag

By Admin

24 Oct, 2025

India’s growing appeal in global shipping
India’s maritime sector is witnessing a significant transformation as global shipping giants increasingly re-register their vessels under the Indian flag. This shift highlights growing confidence in India’s maritime regime and regulatory ecosystem. Currently, India’s merchant fleet comprises around 1,600 vessels with a combined gross tonnage (GT) of 14 million tonnes. Yet, the country continues to spend nearly $75 billion annually on chartering foreign ships, owning only about 2% of the world’s total tonnage.

Maersk leads the way with Indian reflagging
Denmark-based A.P. Moller–Maersk is the latest major to embrace this change, reflagging its container ships Maersk Vilnius and Maersk Vigo from Hong Kong to India. According to the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), this move marks a strong endorsement of India’s maritime administration. The global industry’s trust in the Indian registry is now seen as a major milestone toward building a robust national fleet.

CMA CGM sparks the reflagging momentum
The reflagging wave began earlier this year when French shipping major CMA CGM shifted its vessel CMA CGM Vitoria from the Maltese flag to India. The development followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to CMA CGM’s headquarters in France. Since then, the company has added two more vessels to the Indian registry, with a fourth expected to join soon.

MSC expected to join the trend
Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping line, is reportedly preparing to reflag its vessels under the Indian flag as well. Industry sources indicate that MSC may make an official announcement during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, further boosting India’s position as a global maritime hub.

GIFT City: India’s new maritime business hub
Maersk has also established Maersk Bharat IFC Pvt Ltd at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to streamline ship reflagging. This move follows the company’s February event in Mumbai celebrating Albert Maersk a dual-fuel, methanol-powered container ship demonstrating Maersk’s commitment to both sustainability and India’s maritime growth.

Benefits of reflagging to India’s economy
Reflagging adds vessels to India’s registry, allowing Indian-flagged ships to carry domestic cargo and enhancing the country’s supply chain resilience. It ensures freight revenues remain within India while supporting local ship management companies, port operations, and creating more employment opportunities for Indian seafarers. Moreover, Indian-flagged ships enjoy priority access to government cargo contracts, enhancing their commercial viability and competitiveness.

Strengthening India’s maritime vision
The growing reflagging trend by international majors reflects a powerful shift in the global perception of India’s maritime ecosystem. As DG Shipping officials note, “We expect several more vessels to be reflagged under the Indian flag in the coming months.” With increasing global trust and strong policy backing, India is positioning itself to emerge as a central player in the international shipping landscape.