CMA CGM has marked a historic milestone by welcoming the arrival of CMA CGM Vitoria, the first Indian-flagged containership registered by a major global carrier, at the Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminal near Mumbai. The 2,592 TEU vessel will operate on CMA CGM’s BIGEX network, offering direct weekly connections between India, the Gulf, and the Red Sea. The flagging ceremony attended by senior Indian government officials and CMA CGM executives underscores India’s growing maritime ambitions and the carrier’s deepening commitment to the Indian market.
Vessel and Service
CMA CGM Vitoria is a 2,592 TEU container vessel built in 2008 and formerly registered under the Maltese flag. After its acquisition by CMA CGM in 2022, the ship underwent reflagging procedures to meet the Indian Registry of Shipping’s compliance requirements. Under the Indian flag, Vitoria will be fully crewed by Indian nationals and classed by the Indian Register of Shipping.
The vessel will serve India on the BIGEX network, performing weekly calls at Nhava Sheva and Mundra ports, thereby strengthening direct trade links between India, the Gulf region, and the Red Sea. This service is one of the most comprehensive direct maritime links in the region.
Flagging Ceremony
The ceremony took place on April 28, 2025, at the Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminal (NSFT), a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and CMA Terminals. It was presided over by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, along with other dignitaries from India’s Directorate General of Shipping and JNPA. Atit Mahajan, General Manager of CMA CGM India, hosted the event, which was also attended by diplomats, business partners, and CMA CGM India employees.
“Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group has supported the education of approximately 2,350 underprivileged children in Mumbai over the past three years,” said Atit Mahajan, adding that “CMA CGM remains fully committed to supporting India’s economic growth.”
Industry Implications
By reflagging Vitoria under the Indian flag, CMA CGM becomes the first major foreign carrier to register a container ship in India, a move expected to boost confidence in India’s shipping registry and encourage other global lines to follow suit. It also marks the first foreign containerized vessel to be registered in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) International Financial Services Centre, reflecting the growing attractiveness of India’s maritime financial ecosystem.
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Government officials noted that the swift reflagging process secured in just a few months demonstrates the Directorate General of Shipping’s willingness to facilitate foreign registrations and India’s ambition to grow its flagged tonnage. “It’s a small start by CMA CGM … testing the waters, and more ships are likely to be converted to the Indian flag soon,” said a senior official involved in the process. In addition to shipping operations, CMA CGM has invested heavily in Indian port infrastructure. The Group holds stakes in NSFT and a terminal at Mundra Port and operates 19 weekly maritime services connecting India to global markets.
Future Outlook
CMA CGM plans to reflag three more vessels under the Indian flag in the coming months, with CMA CGM Manaus next in line. The company has also opened a crew-management office in Mumbai to support its expanding Indian-flagged fleet.
Strategically, this initiative aligns with India’s participation in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). With a fleet adapted to alternative fuels and key port hubs across the region, CMA CGM aims to be a pivotal contributor to IMEC’s efficiency and to further integrate India into global supply chains.
Through these steps flagging, infrastructure investment, and network expansion CMA CGM underscores its long-term commitment to India’s maritime growth, setting a precedent for foreign carriers and bolstering India’s position on the world shipping map.
Source: indiashippingnews.com
