MSC agrees to reflag 12 container ships in India in diversification push

MUMBAI : Mediterranean Shipping Co. has become the latest major ocean carrier to invest beyond port-to-port shipping and inland logistics operations in India.

The world’s largest liner operator has confirmed a program to reflag 12 of its container ships to the Indian registry, adding to the wave of recent similar flag changes already carried out by CMA CGM and Maersk.

In a LinkedIn post Monday, MSC CEO Soren Toft said, “the planned Indian-flagged fleet operation strengthens the company’s long-term partnership and support for India’s maritime ambitions. India is a key country for MSC, with continued strong development across shipping, ports and logistics, As part of the discussions, we also confirmed our commitment to deploy 12 vessels under the Indian flag, strengthening our long-term partnership and support for India’s maritime ambitions.” Toft wrote on his LinkedIn . Soren Toft met PM Shri Narendra Modi at India Maritime Week in Mumbai last week.

The ships that are planned to be converted to the Indian flag will have capacities ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). A TEU is the standard size of a container and a common measure of capacity in the container business.

With MSC’s move, all the world’s top three container shipping lines will run ships flying the Indian tricolour.

“Following CMA CGM and Maersk, MSC has confirmed it will deploy 12 vessels under the Indian flag, marking a new milestone in India’s maritime rise. From shipbuilding orders at Cochin Shipyard to new investments by APM Terminals and DP World, the world’s top carriers are now converging on India — reshaping global shipping geography and signaling the emergence of India as the “third pole” of world shipping.” A Linkedln post from another international shipping managing director.