French Shipping Giant CMA CGM Launches First Indian-Flagged Vessel To Make Weekly Calls At Nhava Sheva & Mundra Ports

New Delhi, Apr 29 (KNN) French shipping giant CMA CGM has marked a significant milestone by launching its first Indian-flagged container vessel, CMA CGM Vitoria.

This move positions CMA CGM as the first major global carrier to operate under the Indian flag, enhancing India's maritime presence.​

The CMA CGM Vitoria, with a capacity of 2,592 TEUs, will serve on the Group’s BIGEX Network, offering direct links between India, the Gulf, and the Red Sea. The vessel will make weekly calls at Nhava Sheva and Mundra ports.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “Today marks an important step forward for India’s maritime sector as CMA CGM Vitoria becomes the first Indian-flagged container vessel registered by a foreign shipping line.”

In addition to registering CMA CGM Vitoria under the Indian flag, the Group plans to register three more vessels in the coming months. CMA CGM also becomes the first foreign shipping line to register a containerized vessel in the International Financial Services Centre, GIFT City, India. ​

CMA CGM's commitment to India extends beyond shipping. The Group has a 34-year presence in the country, employing 17,000 individuals and operating 19 weekly maritime services.

Its logistics subsidiary, CEVA Logistics, manages 900,000 square meters of warehouse space across 105 sites in 31 Indian cities.

Furthermore, the CMA CGM Foundation has supported the education of approximately 2,350 underprivileged children in Mumbai over the past three years. ​

This initiative aligns with India's broader goal to enhance its maritime capabilities and become a leading nation in shipbuilding over the next 25 years.

The government's efforts to encourage the use of Indian-flagged vessels aim to increase control over the movement of goods and strengthen the nation's shipping industry.

CMA CGM's strategic move underscores its commitment to supporting India's economic growth and expanding its presence in the region's shipping, intermodal transport, logistics, and terminal operations.

(KNN Bureau)