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CMA CGM continues to boost its Indian container trade profile as the trend for diversifying supply chains within Asia gathers momentum.
The French transport group has added the chartered 4,395-teu SCI Mumbai to its India-registered fleet, according to industry sources.
The 2008-built box ship was one of two owned by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the national carrier, for its limited liner activity, and recently joined the Swahili Express (SWAX2), jointly operated by CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and Emirates Shipping on India-Africa trade, sources said.
SWAX2, deploying three ships from CMA CGM and one each from the other two partners, has a weekly rotation of Nhava Sheva-Mundra-Jebel Ali-Khalifa-Mombasa-Dar es Salaam-Nhava Sheva.
The SCI Mumbai charter deal comes after CMA CGM had converted some foreign-flagged vessels to the Indian registry, and which are now deployed on the BIGEX 2 service connecting Inda-Red Sea trades. The CMA CGM Vitoria was the first ship to have been reflagged in India, followed by the CMA CGM Manaus.
The SCI Mumbai is a sister ship of the SCI Chennai, which is used by SCI on coastal trades, according to available data.
The Marseille-based carrier remains profoundly bullish on the Indian market. In addition to its container terminal and inland operations, it is seriously considering venturing into coastal shipping of domestic cargo between Indian ports, on the strength of its newfound Indian fleet. It’s a segment that continues to be restricted to domestic tonnage because of the government’s historical protectionist policies.
The carrier is also pursuing investment options for shipbuilding and recycling services in India, and has vowed to recruit 1,000 more Indian seafarers this year.
Industry competition seems to be driving that push. Maersk has already set up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cochin Shipyard for strategic partnerships for ship repair and newbuilding projects.
Atit Mahajan, CMA CGM’s India MD, said: “With 19 weekly maritime services, 17,000 employees, and major port operations in Nhava Sheva and Mundra, India is firmly at the heart of our global strategy.
“We are also contributing actively to the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), leveraging our strong presence across Indian, Gulf, and Mediterranean ports, and a modern fleet built for the energy transition.”
CMA CGM’s Indamex service to the US east coast and Epic loop to North Europe are leading weekly ocean connections for Indian westbound trades.
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