On June 12, 2025, the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) visited CMA CGM's headquarters in Marseille, France, following up on Prime Minister Modi's February interaction with the company. Discussions centered on CMA CGM's expanding operations and investments in India, spanning shipping, shipbuilding, container terminals, logistics, and maritime industries. CMA CGM detailed progress on its India Strategy, which includes expanding its Indian-flagged fleet, shipbuilding collaborations (particularly for LNG-powered vessels), inland logistics development, investments in port infrastructure (such as Nhava Sheva and Vadhavan Port), and interest in India's ship recycling capabilities. The company also expressed its intention to source containers and green steel from India. CMA CGM, which already employs over 2,200 digital professionals in India, is considering establishing maritime R&D and innovation hubs in key Indian cities. The visit facilitated discussions on enhancing connectivity and innovation between India and Europe.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: A governmental ministry, likely of India, responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
CMA CGM: A shipping and logistics company with global operations.
Marseille: A city in France and location of CMA CGM's global headquarters.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - indicating the source of the press release.
Shri T.K. Ramachandran: Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
MoPSW: Abbreviation for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
France: Country where the Prime Minister of India had interactions with CMA CGM.
Shri Narendra Modi: The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India.
India: The country that is the focus of CMA CGM's expanding operations.
India Strategy: CMA CGM's strategy for its operations in India, based on five key pillars.
Indianflagged: Refers to vessels registered under the Indian flag.
CC VITORIA: One of CMA CGM's first Indianflagged vessels.
CC Manaus: One of CMA CGM's first Indianflagged vessels.
GIFT City: A city in Gujarat, India, where CMA CGM established a new Indian shipping entity.
Gujarat: A state in India where GIFT City is located.
LNG: Liquefied Natural Gas - fuel for container vessels.
Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal: A port terminal in India where CMA CGM is undertaking a 200 million expansion.
Vadhavan Port: A port project in India in which CMA CGM is engaged.
Alang: A location in India known for ship recycling.
Patrice Bergamini: Diplomatic Advisor to the Group CEO and Chairman of CMA CGM.
Camille Andrews: Individual from the Group CEOs Office of CMA CGM.
Ludovic Renou: Head of Global Shipping Network at CMA CGM.
Atit Mahajan: Managing Director, CMA CGM India.
Antoine Canton: Project Manager for India initiatives at CMA CGM.
Agatha Bonnin: Public Affairs Specialist at CMA CGM.
IndiaEurope corridor: A trade route between India and Europe.
GDH Release ID: 2136322: Release identifier of the document.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways Meets CMA CGM Leadership in
Marseille
CMA CGM highlights strategic progress across
shipping, shipbuilding, logistics and industrial
innovation in India
Posted On: 14 JUN 2025 2:03PM by PIB Delhi
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), visited the global
headquarters of CMA CGM in Marseille, France, on 12th June 2025. The visit came in continuation of the
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s landmark interaction with CMA CGM during his official tour
to France in February this year, where India’s growing maritime sector and global partnerships were a key
highlight.
During the visit, the Secretary met senior executives from the CMA CGM Group and was briefed on the
company’s expanding presence and operations in India across shipping, shipbuilding, container terminals,
multimodal logistics, and maritime industrial capabilities. The CMA CGM leadership also outlined progress
made since February under its India Strategy, anchored on five key pillars: Indian-flagged fleet expansion,
shipbuilding collaboration, inland logistics development, maritime industrial investment, and innovation.
As part of its shipping initiatives, CMA CGM has flagged off its first Indian-flagged vessels CC VITORIA
and CC Manaus and established a new Indian shipping entity at GIFT City, Gujarat. In shipbuilding, the
Group is in advanced discussions with Indian shipbuilding entities for LNG-powered container vessels, while
major port and inland infrastructure investments are progressing, including a $200 million expansion at Nhava
Sheva Freeport Terminal and engagement in the Vadhavan Port project.
The company also shared its interest in India’s ship recycling ecosystem, particularly in Alang, and its
readiness to source containers and green steel from India in alignment with global sustainability goals. CMA
CGM currently employs over 2,200 digital professionals in India and is exploring the establishment of
maritime R&D and innovation hubs across key Indian cities.
The delegation from CMA CGM included Patrice Bergamini, Diplomatic Advisor to the Group CEO and
Chairman; Camille Andrews from the Group CEO’s Office; Ludovic Renou, Head of Global Shipping
Network; Atit Mahajan, Managing Director, CMA CGM India; Antoine Canton, Project Manager for India
initiatives; and Agatha Bonnin, Public Affairs Specialist.
The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving maritime landscape and explore
synergies for greater connectivity and innovation in the India-Europe corridor. The Secretary’s engagement in
Marseille reflects India’s growing collaboration with global maritime players and continued dialogue with
industry leaders supporting the nation’s long-term port and shipping development vision.***
GDH
(Release ID: 2136322)