DP World expands India coastal shipping network with DP World Indus acquisition

DP World has expanded its coastal shipping network in India with the acquisition of DP World Indus, a container vessel with a capacity of more than 2,500 TEUs. The vessel will support domestic coastal trade across India and strengthen the company’s coastal shipping operations.

The addition of DP World Indus increases the capabilities of DP World’s Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, to provide reliable, efficient and sustainable cargo transportation between key Indian ports. The company’s coastal shipping network in India currently covers 14 ports and operates a dedicated fleet of 10 vessels. In 2025, Shipping Solutions handled more than 473,000 TEUs through its coastal shipping operations.

According to the company, coastal shipping helps reduce pressure on road transport while supporting more resilient and environmentally responsible supply chains.

The vessel has made its maiden call at DP World-operated Jeddah South Container Terminal, marking another step in the company’s strategy to strengthen trade connectivity by integrating its ports and marine services businesses.

Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services, DP World, said,“India's coastal shipping sector presents a significant opportunity to improve supply chain efficiency and support sustainable economic growth. We documented this opportunity gap in our ‘Enhancing India’s Ship Registry: Pathways to Global Competitiveness’ report in 2025, and the acquisition of India-flagged DP World Indus reflects our commitment to strengthening domestic maritime connectivity and providing customers with reliable, high-quality services that connect businesses and markets across the country.”

The company said coastal shipping is playing an increasingly important role in improving multimodal transport networks, reducing carbon emissions and making cargo movement more efficient. By improving connectivity between India’s manufacturing, industrial and consumption centres, DP World Indus will support container movement along the country’s coastline and provide customers with an alternative to long-haul road transport.

The acquisition is part of DP World’s wider strategy to support India’s trade and logistics sector through continued investment in maritime infrastructure, ports, logistics services and supply chain solutions.

DP World also highlighted its report, Enhancing India’s Ship Registry: Pathways to Global Competitiveness, which outlines recommendations to strengthen India’s ship registry through governance reforms, fiscal and commercial incentives, international outreach and green transition initiatives. The report is aligned with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and supports the Government’s goal of positioning India as a global maritime leader.

Last year, Shipping Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFC), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to work together on developing and expanding sustainable coastal and short-sea shipping services across the country.