A.P. Moller-Maersk has signed an agreement with India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to develop ship repair, maintenance, and shipbuilding operations in India. The deal is a major step toward India’s long-term goal of becoming a leading player in global shipbuilding and repair.
As part of the partnership, Maersk will send its first vessel for repair at Cochin Shipyard in 2025. “The first Maersk vessel repair at CSL, planned already for 2025, will mark the beginning of what we envisage as a long-term collaborative relationship,” said Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management & Technology at Maersk.
The partnership comes at a time when ship repair facilities worldwide are under pressure due to high demand. By working together, Maersk and CSL plan to expand India’s role in global shipping while supporting the country’s Vision 2047 plan to boost maritime growth.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in CSL’s journey as the leading ship repairer in India,” said Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited. “Combining Maersk’s global expertise with CSL’s capabilities would help position ourselves to capture a larger share of the global ship repair and building market.”
The focus will initially be on repairing vessels up to 7,000 TEU for afloat repairs and up to 4,000 TEU for drydocking, with plans to expand further in the future.
India’s government is actively promoting the growth of its shipbuilding industry. It aims to become one of the top ten global players by 2030 and one of the top five by 2047. Earlier this month, India announced a nearly $3 billion maritime development fund to support shipbuilding and repair.
Cochin Shipyard, India’s largest shipbuilder, has been investing in ship repair infrastructure, including a $100 million facility in Cochin Port. The yard currently repairs multiple ships at a time and is working on orders for 65 new vessels.
Major global shipbuilders, such as South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and naval forces from the U.S. and UK, are also interested in India’s shipyards. This partnership with Maersk is another step toward making India a bigger player in global maritime operations.