Powering India's rise in global trade through strategic maritime investments

As India accelerates its journey toward becoming a global economic powerhouse, the need for robust maritime and supply chain infrastructure has never been greater. For nearly four decades, CMA CGM Group has been a steadfast partner in this growth. With 37 years of presence in the country, the company is now doubling down on its commitment to the nation, aligning its global expertise with India's ambitious maritime and logistics goals to support growing import and export demands.During a recent high-level visit to New Delhi, CMA CGM Group Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé met with Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shipping and Waterways, to reinforce this long-term partnership. Highlighting this shared vision, Saadé stated, "I am pleased to be in India to deepen the strategic partnership, which has linked CMA CGM and India for nearly four decades. Today, we are strengthening our shipbuilding cooperation with Cochin Shipyard through the signing of six LNG-powered container vessels. At the same time, we are looking to expand our engagement in container manufacturing and ship recycling. This is fully aligned with Prime Minister Modi's Maritime Vision 2047 to position India as a major maritime nation. As corridors such as India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) develop, connecting India to the Middle East and Europe, CMA CGM stands ready to contribute to this new phase of global trade."The high-level commitment is translating into tangible investments aimed at strengthening national capacity. Plans to build six LNG-powered containerships of 1,700 TEU capacity in India mark a significant push for domestic manufacturing.Human capital is also central to the expansion. The group said it has already recruited 1,000 Indian seafarers in 2025 and plans to add another 500, taking the total to 1,500 by the end of 2026, further reinforcing India’s role in the global maritime industry.Investing in digital innovation and sustainable infrastructureTo truly modernise the supply chain, physical assets must be paired with cutting-edge technology. Recognising this necessity, CMA CGM established a dedicated research and development hub in Chennai, launched in January 2026 in partnership with Capgemini1. This hub plays a critical role in developing next-generation digital and artificial intelligence- enabled solutions. By actively leveraging advanced analytics and digital tools, the company aims to transform the entire supply chain, from maritime operations and port efficiency to logistics optimisation and customer experience.On the ground, the company's infrastructure footprint is massive, with 17,000 employees supporting operations across more than 100 sites in 31 cities. The group manages 870,000 square metres of logistics warehouse space, serves seven gateway ports, and has made major investments in two of India's main container terminals in Nhava Sheva and Mundra. The group's subsidiary CEVA Logistics, one of the world's top five logistics players, further enhances this end-to-end capability, operating 1,000 warehouses globally and handling 15 million shipments in 2024.This operational growth is also deeply tied to the group's environmental and social goals. Committed to the energy transition, the CMA CGM Group is aiming to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, having recently reflagged three vessels under the Indian registry in 2025. Beyond commerce, the CMA CGM Foundation has renovated 10 educational centres, supporting local communities and providing equal opportunities.Enhancing global connectivity for Indian exportersAs India strengthens its position in global trade corridors, seamless connectivity to key international markets becomes critical. In line with this, CMA CGM has enhanced its PEARL (PRX) service to strengthen connectivity between the Indian Subcontinent and the United States West Coast. The PEARL service now offers an exclusive, direct connection from key ports in West India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka straight to Los Angeles.With weekly fixed-day departures, the revised rotation delivers highly competitive transit times, connecting Nhava Sheva to Los Angeles in 47 days, Mundra in 44 days, Karachi in 42 days, and Colombo in 37 days. Launched with its first departure from Nhava Sheva on March 30, 2026, the upgraded PRX service integrates Indian ports seamlessly into a broader global rotation, providing a vital link for the trade sector.From building LNG-powered ships in domestic yards to launching dedicated technology hubs and strengthening global connectivity, opening new direct shipping routes, every initiative reflects a cohesive strategy. CMA CGM is moving forward with India, powering the nation's rise in global trade through sustainable, future-ready maritime and logistics solutions.Reference:Disclaimer: This article has been published on behalf of CMA CGM by Times Internet’s Spotlight team.