In a significant move to deepen maritime cooperation and reinforce global partnerships, Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, visited the global headquarters of CMA CGM in Marseille, France, on 12th June 2025. The visit comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark engagement with CMA CGM earlier this year in February, where India’s growing role in global maritime trade and logistics was a focal point of discussion.
The visit marked a strategic follow-up to the high-level dialogues between the Government of India and the CMA CGM Group, one of the world’s leading shipping and logistics conglomerates. During his visit, Secretary Ramachandran held detailed discussions with the top leadership of CMA CGM to assess progress and identify new opportunities under the Group’s “India Strategy,” which is anchored on five core pillars: expansion of Indian-flagged shipping capacity, shipbuilding partnerships, inland logistics development, maritime industrial investment, and innovation-led collaboration.
Senior CMA CGM executives, including Patrice Bergamini (Diplomatic Advisor to the Group CEO and Chairman), Camille Andrews (Group CEO’s Office), Ludovic Renou (Head of Global Shipping Network), Atit Mahajan (Managing Director, CMA CGM India), Antoine Canton (India Projects), and Agatha Bonnin (Public Affairs), welcomed the Secretary and presented a comprehensive overview of the Group’s India-focused initiatives.
Under its India Strategy, CMA CGM has already launched two Indian-flagged container vessels, CC VITORIA and CC Manausand has incorporated a new Indian shipping entity based out of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), signaling a growing commitment to India’s maritime ecosystem. The Group is also in advanced talks with Indian shipyards to explore the construction of next-generation LNG-powered container vessels, furthering India’s aim to become a global shipbuilding hub.
Infrastructure development was another key theme, with CMA CGM sharing updates on its $200 million investment to expand Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal and participation in the strategic Vadhavan Port project. The company also expressed keen interest in contributing to India’s inland water transport and multimodal logistics networks, especially through partnerships aimed at boosting container movement and last-mile connectivity.
Another important aspect of the dialogue was CMA CGM’s support for India’s sustainability and circular economy goals. The Group reiterated its readiness to explore procurement of green steel and domestically produced containers, while also tapping into India’s ship recycling capabilities, especially in Alang, to strengthen its global recycling chain. These discussions align with CMA CGM’s broader climate commitments and India’s national ambitions for a greener, more self-reliant maritime sector.
India’s digital prowess in the maritime sector was highlighted by the Group’s employment of over 2,200 digital and tech professionals across its India offices. Future plans include setting up maritime R&D and innovation hubs in select Indian cities, aimed at enhancing data-driven operations, decarbonization technologies, and smart logistics platforms.
The visit served as a robust platform for exchanging views on the future of maritime connectivity between India and Europeenhancing supply chain resilience, and promoting innovation in shipping and port operations. It also underlined the importance of sustained government-industry collaboration in realizing India’s vision of becoming a global maritime leader.
By engaging with CMA CGM at its global nerve center, Secretary T.K. Ramachandran’s visit not only strengthened bilateral maritime ties but also showcased India’s commitment to working closely with global partners to drive infrastructure modernization, innovation, and sustainability in the shipping and ports sector.
