DP World Expands Indian Coastal Fleet with Acquisition of 2,500 TEU Vessel DP World Indus

DP World’s Marine Services arm, Shipping Solutions, has acquired the DP World Indus, a container vessel with a capacity exceeding 2,500 TEUs dedicated to India’s domestic coastal trade. The addition strengthens the company’s regional network, which now includes 10 vessels serving 14 ports across the Indian coastline. This move is designed to enhance supply chain resilience and provide an environmentally responsible alternative to long-haul road transport, aligning with India's broader maritime growth objectives.

DP World’s Shipping Solutions has officially expanded its maritime capabilities in India through the acquisition of the DP World Indus, a container vessel capable of carrying more than 2,500 TEUs. This India-flagged ship is specifically tasked with supporting domestic coastal trade, aimed at reducing the heavy reliance on road networks for cargo movement. The acquisition brings DP World’s dedicated coastal fleet in India to 10 vessels, serving a network that spans 14 key ports. In 2025, the business demonstrated its scale by handling over 473,000 TEUs through its coastal shipping operations, highlighting the growing demand for maritime logistics in the region.

The vessel recently made its maiden call at the Jeddah South Container Terminal, a facility operated by DP World, signaling a strategic effort to integrate the company’s port operations with its marine services. Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer of Marine Services at DP World, emphasized that the acquisition addresses an "opportunity gap" identified in the company’s 2025 report, "Enhancing India’s Ship Registry: Pathways to Global Competitiveness." According to Raj, the investment reflects a commitment to strengthening domestic connectivity and providing high-quality services that link various industrial and consumption centers across the country.

This expansion is part of a broader strategy to support India’s Maritime Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the nation as a global maritime leader through governance reform and green transition initiatives. To further this goal, DP World’s Shipping Solutions previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFC), a government enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This collaboration focuses on scaling sustainable coastal and short-sea shipping services. By offering a dependable alternative to land transport, the DP World Indus is expected to play a critical role in improving cargo movement efficiency and reducing carbon emissions within the Indian logistics ecosystem.