# MV Bureau

Kochi | DP World’s Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, has expanded its fleet with the acquisition of DP World Indus, a 2,500+ TEU container vessel dedicated to supporting domestic coastal trade across India.

The addition enhances its ability to provide reliable, efficient and sustainable cargo transportation between key Indian ports, according to a company statement. This should help reduce pressure on road networks. DP World’s Shipping Solutions coastal network in India currently spans 14 ports and maintains a dedicated fleet of 10 vessels. In 2025, the business handled more than 473,000 TEUs through its coastal shipping operations.

The vessel's maiden call at Jeddah South Container Terminal, operated by DP World, marks another milestone in the company's strategy to strengthen trade connectivity through greater integration between its ports and marine services businesses, it added.

DP World Marine Services Global Chief Operating Officer Ganesh Raj 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."

Coastal shipping plays an increasingly important role in enhancing multimodal transport networks, reducing carbon emissions and improving cargo movement efficiency. 

The acquisition aligns with DP World's broader strategy to support India's trade and logistics ecosystem through continued investment in maritime infrastructure, ports, logistics services and supply chain solutions, he added.  

Shipping Solutions had, in 2025, 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 collaborate on developing and scaling sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services across the country.