Maersk Begins First Planned Drydocking in India 

Maersk’s Singapore-flagged container vessel Maersk Chattogram is undergoing its first planned drydocking in India at L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, marking the first operational milestone under the Maersk–L&T maritime collaboration.

A.P. Moller-Maersk has partnered with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the planned drydocking of the Maersk Chattogram at the Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. The Singapore-flagged container vessel is scheduled to arrive at the yard on October 20, 2026, subject to operational and weather conditions.

The project is the first operational outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Maersk and L&T during India Maritime Week 2025. The MoU covers potential cooperation in shipbuilding, ship repair, knowledge exchange and development of global-standard maritime capability in India.

10-Year Maintenance and Special Survey

The drydocking forms part of the vessel’s planned 10-year lifecycle maintenance programme. Work will include the scheduled special survey along with maintenance and overhaul of the hull and structure, machinery, equipment and propulsion systems.

Drydocking allows inspection and repair of areas normally submerged underwater, alongside work on onboard systems. The process is essential for maintaining a vessel’s safety, seaworthiness, operational performance and reliability for the next five years.

India’s Largest Shiplift System

Maersk Chattogram will undergo a specialised lift-out operation using India’s largest Shiplift system at L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli. The system will lift the vessel out of the water for extensive inspection, maintenance and repair work.

The project will bring together Maersk’s fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers and maritime service providers. The companies said the focus will be on safe execution, quality delivery and knowledge sharing throughout the docking.

Boost for India’s Ship Repair Ecosystem

The drydocking signals growing confidence in India’s ship repair and shipyard capabilities. Maersk said the project aligns its global technical requirements with India’s developing shipyard, supplier and maritime-service ecosystem.

L&T said the docking advances its strategic partnership with Maersk and supports efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities and supply chains across the shipbuilding ecosystem. Both companies view India as having strong potential to become a more important global maritime hub.

FAQs

1. Which Maersk vessel is being drydocked in India?
The Singapore-flagged container vessel Maersk Chattogram is undergoing planned drydocking at L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai.

2. When is the vessel expected to arrive at Kattupalli?
Maersk Chattogram is scheduled to arrive on October 20, 2026, subject to operational and weather conditions.

3. What work will be carried out during the drydocking?
The work includes a scheduled special survey and maintenance or overhaul of the hull, structure, machinery, equipment and propulsion systems.

4. Why is the Kattupalli drydocking significant?
It is Maersk’s first planned drydocking in India and the first operational milestone under the Maersk–L&T MoU signed during India Maritime Week 2025.