Growing Interest in Indian Ship Registrations Amid Global Shipping Challenges
MUMBAI: A surge in interest for registering ships under the Indian flag has emerged, driven by several prominent fleet owners, including Blueroute Shipping, CMA CGM SA, and Unifeeder ISC FZCO. This trend is taking place as the Indian government intensifies its efforts to promote local shipping. Blueroute Shipping, part of Dynacom Tankers owned by Greek shipping magnate George Prokopiou, is set to register a bulk carrier through its subsidiary, Blueroute Shipping IFSC Pvt Ltd, located in GIFT City, Gujarat.
Unifeeder, a subsidiary of global container port operator DP World, is preparing to register its first container ship under the Indian flag. This vessel, capable of carrying approximately 1,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), was recently acquired and will be registered under DP World Marine IFSC Pvt Ltd. Meanwhile, CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping operator, plans to register a Maltese-flagged container ship named Vila Do Conde, which has a capacity of 2,600 TEUs. This registration will occur through CMA CGM Shipping Assets India IFSC Pvt Ltd, marking the fifth vessel registered by the French carrier in India.
Delays and Future Prospects for Ship Registrations
The registration process for some vessels has faced delays due to geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has affected shipping routes in the Gulf. The Vila Do Conde was expected to arrive in India last week to finalize registration but has been held up. However, officials from CMA CGM have confirmed that they have received the necessary approvals and will proceed with the registration soon.
In addition to these developments, Seven Islands Shipping Ltd, India’s second-largest private shipping company by fleet size, is set to enhance its Indian-flagged fleet with a new product tanker in the coming weeks. Alphard Maritime Group is also preparing to register a handy-size bulk carrier under the Indian flag through its unit in the Domestic Tariff Area.
Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards embrace Corporate Memberships with Leading Safety Organizations
Earlier this month, Lila Global, the ship-owning arm of GMS Inc, registered a very large crude carrier named ‘Lila Jamnagar’ under the Indian flag through its GIFT City-based unit. Furthermore, MOL (India) Pvt Ltd, the Indian branch of Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines, has expanded its fleet with the addition of a 2010-built very large crude carrier named ‘Libra Trader’. Recently, Hapag-Lloyd AG announced plans to reflag four of its vessels under the Indian flag, while the Mediterranean Shipping Company SA has indicated intentions to convert a dozen ships to the Indian flag by October 2025.
The Indian government is actively addressing previous challenges faced by fleet owners in the registration process. Officials report a significant increase in inquiries regarding ship registrations, emphasizing that fleet owners wishing to trade with India must register their vessels locally. To facilitate this, the government plans to launch an upgraded online platform aimed at streamlining the registration process and expediting approvals for ship owners.
