CMA CGM is actively transferring two additional container ships to the Indian registry. This strategic fleet adjustment aligns with the ocean carrier’s broader effort to expand local operations and comply with India’s recently updated cabotage regulations.
Earlier this month, the carrier officially transferred the CMA CGM Vila do Conde from the Malta flag to India. Built in 2009, this 33,434 dwt vessel offers a capacity of 2,556 TEU. Furthermore, the Directorate of Shipping confirmed that paperwork has been filed to transfer a second Malta flagged ship, the 2,700 TEU CMA CGM Semarang, built in 2007.
These latest additions will bring CMA CGM’s total number of Indian registered container ships to six. The carrier initiated this shift in April 2025 with the CMA CGM Victoria, later adding the Mendelssohn, Diamond, and Manaus.
This strategy directly addresses recent changes in India’s cabotage regulations, which restrict foreign flagged carriers from moving domestic cargo. In January 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways ended a 2018 exemption that previously allowed foreign ships to transship laden export containers, empties, and agricultural goods.
Additionally, India’s maritime regulations prohibit ships over 20 years old from initially entering the registry. By transferring older vessels like the Semarang now, CMA CGM beats the age restriction. Once registered, these ships are permitted to operate under the Indian flag until they reach 30 years of age.
CMA CGM is not the only major ocean carrier making this pivot. Maersk has already moved two ships to the Indian registry, while MSC plans to register 12 vessels, and Hapag-Lloyd expects to register four.
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This industry wide shift provides a major boost for Indian seafarers, as domestic registration mandates their employment onboard. CMA CGM currently employs 1,000 Indian seafarers, with plans to scale that number to 1,500 by the end of the year.
Looking ahead, CMA CGM is also investing directly in Indian shipbuilding. The company signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard in February to build six new 1,700 TEU vessels powered by LNG, with the first delivery expected by February 2029.