CMA CGM Reflags First Container Ship Under Indian Flag, Signaling Maritime Shift

In a significant move for India’s maritime ambitions, French shipping giant CMA CGM has reflagged its 2,592 TEU container ship, CMA CGM Vitoria, under the Indian flag. The vessel, previously flying the Malta flag, was officially registered in Mumbai on April 28, becoming the first large global container carrier to flag a ship in India. This follows CMA CGM’s establishment of a dedicated unit in Gujarat’s GIFT City, ‘CMA CGM Shipping Assets India IFSC Pvt Ltd’, to support its Indian operations.

The reflagging marks a pivotal moment for India’s shipping ecosystem, long viewed as tax and regulation heavy. However, with support from the Directorate General of Shipping and expedited compliance processes, the move signals growing global confidence in India’s maritime framework.

CMA CGM is expected to convert a second Malta-flagged vessel, CMA CGM Manaus, to the Indian registry soon. The move comes weeks after Chairman Rodolphe Saadé committed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider relocating more vessels under the Indian flag.

The vessel was flagged at Nhava Sheva Free Port Terminal, partly owned by CMA CGM, which handles up to 1.8 million TEUs. The development boosts India’s push for greater control over EXIM container trade, where 99% is currently dominated by foreign carriers.