Global shipping giants rush to reflag vessels under the Indian flag

Global shipping majors are increasingly re-registering their vessels under the Indian flag, signalling growing confidence in India’s maritime regime and regulatory ecosystem.

Denmark-based A.P. Moller–Maersk is the latest to join this trend, with two of its container ships — Maersk Vilnius and Maersk Vigo — recently reflagged from Hong Kong to India. According to sources in the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), the move underscores the global industry’s trust in India’s ship registry. “Reflagging by international majors gives a significant boost to the Indian Registry and reflects confidence in our maritime administration,” an official said.

India’s merchant fleet currently consists of around 1,600 vessels with a combined gross tonnage (GT) of 14 million tonnes. Despite this, the country spends nearly $75 billion annually on chartering foreign ships, while owning only about 2 per cent of the world’s total tonnage.

The reflagging momentum began in April, when French shipping major CMA CGM reflagged its vessel CMA CGM Vitoria — previously under the Maltese flag — to India. The ship, capable of carrying 2,592 TEUs, was reflagged following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to CMA CGM’s headquarters in France. Since then, CMA CGM has added two more vessels to the Indian registry, with a fourth expected to join next week.

Switzerland-based MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) is also reportedly preparing to reflag its vessels under the Indian flag, with an announcement likely during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, DG Shipping sources said.

Maersk has also established Maersk Bharat IFC Pvt Ltd at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to facilitate ship reflagging. The initiative follows the company’s February event in Mumbai marking the naming of Albert Maersk, a dual-fuel methanol-powered container ship — the eleventh of its kind in Maersk’s green fleet.

Reflagging adds vessels to India’s registry, enabling Indian-flagged ships to carry domestic cargo, ensuring greater supply chain resilience during disruptions, and retaining freight revenues within the country. It also benefits Indian ship management companies and ports through increased operations, while creating more employment opportunities for Indian seafarers.

Indian-flagged ships also enjoy priority access to government cargo contracts, further enhancing their commercial viability. “We expect several more vessels to be reflagged under the Indian flag in the coming months,” DG Shipping officials added.