A Reflagging Wave Powered by Policy and Purpose

Industry veteran Supal Shah (CEO, Sarjak Container Lines) sums it up with precision:
“The phrase Made in India may soon extend to the ships that carry global trade itself.”

What’s enabling this shift?
A ₹70,000-crore maritime revival, upgraded ports, modern shipyards, and dramatic regulatory reforms. By classifying shipbuilding and shipyards as infrastructure, India has unlocked long-term capital, tax benefits and financing access that historically fuelled shipbuilding nations like Korea and Japan.

The result?

• CMA CGM ordering six LNG-powered 1,700 TEU vessels (₹3,000 crore) from Cochin Shipyard
• Maersk reflagging Maersk Vilnius and Maersk Vigo from Singapore to India
• MSC publicly signalling it is open to following the same course

These are not token moves they are strategic bets.

Why Global Carriers Suddenly Want the Indian Flag

Reflagging isn’t emotional. It’s economic.

Under India’s cabotage rules, foreign-flag vessels cannot move cargo between domestic ports. But Indian-flag ships can. That means global carriers gain direct access to growing coastal trade and domestic maritime supply chains, without restrictions.

And the Competition Commission has added a smart push:
To retain their vessel-sharing immunity, carriers must now deploy at least 5% of their fleet under the Indian flag.

In logistics, incentives speak louder than sentiment.

A Strategic Rise, not a Reactive One

With the Red Sea crisis, piracy threats, and geopolitical instabilities, carriers are diversifying risk. But according to Shah, India’s rise is not a reaction.
It’s a consequence of fundamentals.

India is evolving from a manpower supplier to a maritime ecosystem—shipbuilding, repairs, crewing, financing, and now: ownership and flagging.

If the momentum continues, India could transition from “where the world finds seafarers” to “where the world flags and builds ships.”

Domestic Impact: Where Pride Meets Production

Reflagging is not just prestige; it has ripple effects:

• Higher demand for Indian spares
• Increased dry-docking at Indian yards
• Growth in inland coastal trade
• Skilled maritime jobs
• Stronger supply chain self-reliance

As Shah puts it:
“Flagging creates the pipeline. Building creates the capability.”

And that capability is what Exim Transtrade stands aligned with, supporting the rise of a stronger, more self-reliant Indian logistics ecosystem.

The Awakening Is Quiet but Decisive

For the first time, global carriers, policymakers, shipbuilders, and coastal operators all agree on one trajectory:
India is not just participating in global trade, it is preparing to power it.

Sources

• Statements and data based on updates involving CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC, Cochin Shipyard announcements, and industry commentary by Supal Shah, CEO, Sarjak Container Lines.
• Government policy references: India’s shipbuilding infrastructure classification, port development announcements, cabotage rules, and CCI-related guidelines.