SIMIC

DENMARK's AP Moller-Maersk (Maersk) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborative potential in ship repair, maintenance, and construction in India.

The partnership is consistent with the Government of India's Vision 2047 marine ambitions and recent Union Budget 2025-26 declarations to put India among the top five global maritime hubs.



According to the MoU, Maersk will use its knowledge as an off-taker in its global fleet to expand CSL's capabilities, emphasising containership maintenance, repair, and drydocking operations, reports London's Port Technology International.



This collaboration is intended to help India's marine industry thrive, advancing the government's objective of creating ship repair and building skills in the nation.



The partnership will first focus on vessels up to 7,000 TEU for afloat repairs and up to 4,000 TEU for dry-docking, with capacity likely to grow over time.



Leonardo Sonzio, head of Fleet Management & Technology, AP Moller-Maersk, said: "The first Maersk vessel repair at CSL, planned already for 2025, will mark the beginning of what we envisage as a long-term collaborative relationship."



Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, executive director, Cochin Shipyard Limited, added: "Combining Maersk's global expertise with CSL's capabilities would help position ourselves to capture a larger share of the global ship repair and building market."