Global shipping and logistics player CMA CGM Group has been present in India for nearly four decades. But what is unfolding now is something of a different order entirely, commissioning LNG-powered vessels from an Indian shipyard for the first time, launching a direct trade route to the US West Coast, and setting up an AI-focused R&D hub in Chennai. The company appears to be moving from being a shipping partner to becoming a structural part of India's logistics infrastructure.
In an interaction with The Economic Times, Atit Mahajan, Managing Director, CMA CGM Agencies India Pvt. Ltd., outlines the company’s vision for India, and what it will take to get there.
Q1. CMA CGM has been present in India for nearly 37 years. How has the nature of that partnership evolved over the decades, and what does this latest round of commitments mean for the company's India chapter?
CMA CGM’s presence in India has evolved from a shipping partner to an integrated logistics and infrastructure player. Over the past three decades, we have expanded across ocean services, port terminals, inland logistics, and digital capabilities.
Today, India is a strategic growth hub for us, with operations across more than 100 sites in 31 cities and a workforce of nearly 17,000 employees. Our investments span terminals at Nhava Sheva and Mundra, warehousing through CEVA Logistics, and a Global Business Services hub in Chennai supporting global operations.
This latest chapter, however, marks a step change in scale and ambition. We are not just adding capacity, but we are shaping the future of maritime and logistics in India. The signing of the final contract with Cochin Shipyard for six LNG-powered vessels makes CMA CGM the first major global carrier to commission such vessels from an Indian shipyard. We also established a dedicated R&D hub focused on AI and digital twins, while expanding our talent pipeline with plans to recruit up to 1,500 Indian seafarers by 2026.
It reflects our conviction in India’s future and our commitment to grow alongside it.
Q2. The signing of six LNG-powered containerships with Cochin Shipyard is a significant milestone. What does this mean for India's shipbuilding ambitions, and how does it align with Maritime Vision 2047?
The six LNG-powered containerships we are commissioning at Cochin Shipyard are 1,700-TEU vessels, state-of-the-art assets designed for a decarbonising world. By placing this order in India, we are doing three things simultaneously: validating India's ability to build complex, high-value maritime assets; advancing green propulsion technology domestically; and creating deep, specialised skills in the Indian maritime workforce.
Maritime Vision 2047 sets out a clear ambition to position India as a leading maritime nation. Shipbuilding is fundamental to that vision, and this order is a direct contribution to that ambition, signalling growing global confidence in India's capabilities.
We believe this will catalyse further interest from global carriers, and CMA CGM is proud to play a leading role in that journey.
Q3. CMA CGM has set up its first R&D hub in Chennai in partnership with Capgemini. How will this hub practically transform day-to-day supply chain and logistics operations for Indian businesses?
Our R&D hub in Chennai, developed in partnership with Capgemini, marks a shift towards technology-led supply chain transformation. It focuses on artificial intelligence, digital twins and advanced analytics to improve efficiency across logistics operations.
For Indian businesses, this translates into more predictive supply chains, improved reliability, and better visibility. AI-led forecasting can help anticipate disruptions, while digital tools enable more efficient routing and real-time tracking.
By leveraging India’s strong digital ecosystem, we are building solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience across global supply chains.
Q4. The upgraded PEARL (PRX) service now offers a direct connection from West India to the US West Coast with a first departure from Nhava Sheva on March 30, 2026. How significant is this route for Indian exporters, particularly in terms of transit times and competitiveness?
The upgraded PEARL (PRX) service is a significant step in strengthening India - U.S. trade connectivity. By offering a direct link from West India to the U.S. West Coast, we are eliminating transshipment, which improves transit times and reduces complexity.
For exporters, this means faster market access, improved schedule reliability, and greater competitiveness, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value cargo.
Overall, this enhances India’s position as a key export hub in an increasingly diversified global supply chain.
Q5. Looking ahead, as corridors like IMEC take shape and India's trade ambitions grow, where do you see CMA CGM's role in India five to ten years from now, and what would success look like for the brand in this market?
Over the next five to ten years, the CMA CGM Group aims to further expand and deepen its role as a leading global end-to-end logistics and innovation partner in India.
As trade corridors like IMEC develop and India’s global trade role expands, our focus will be on strengthening multimodal connectivity across sea, land, and air, while investing in infrastructure, digital capabilities, and sustainable solutions.
At the same time, recent developments have reinforced the importance of resilient and diversified supply chains. In situations where critical routes face disruptions, the ability to leverage alternative corridors becomes essential. We see this as a key area where CMA CGM can add value by ensuring continuity, flexibility, and reliability in global trade flows.
Success for us will be defined by being a trusted partner to Indian businesses, contributing meaningfully to the country’s logistics ecosystem, and building future-ready supply chains powered by innovation.
As India accelerates its push to become a global trade and manufacturing hub, partnerships of this depth, spanning green shipping, digital infrastructure, and direct trade routes, will be central to the story. For CMA CGM, India is no longer just a market. It is a long-term bet on the future of global commerce.
In an interaction with The Economic Times, Atit Mahajan, Managing Director, CMA CGM Agencies India Pvt. Ltd., outlines the company’s vision for India, and what it will take to get there.
Q1. CMA CGM has been present in India for nearly 37 years. How has the nature of that partnership evolved over the decades, and what does this latest round of commitments mean for the company's India chapter?
CMA CGM’s presence in India has evolved from a shipping partner to an integrated logistics and infrastructure player. Over the past three decades, we have expanded across ocean services, port terminals, inland logistics, and digital capabilities.
Today, India is a strategic growth hub for us, with operations across more than 100 sites in 31 cities and a workforce of nearly 17,000 employees. Our investments span terminals at Nhava Sheva and Mundra, warehousing through CEVA Logistics, and a Global Business Services hub in Chennai supporting global operations.
This latest chapter, however, marks a step change in scale and ambition. We are not just adding capacity, but we are shaping the future of maritime and logistics in India. The signing of the final contract with Cochin Shipyard for six LNG-powered vessels makes CMA CGM the first major global carrier to commission such vessels from an Indian shipyard. We also established a dedicated R&D hub focused on AI and digital twins, while expanding our talent pipeline with plans to recruit up to 1,500 Indian seafarers by 2026.
It reflects our conviction in India’s future and our commitment to grow alongside it.
Q2. The signing of six LNG-powered containerships with Cochin Shipyard is a significant milestone. What does this mean for India's shipbuilding ambitions, and how does it align with Maritime Vision 2047?
The six LNG-powered containerships we are commissioning at Cochin Shipyard are 1,700-TEU vessels, state-of-the-art assets designed for a decarbonising world. By placing this order in India, we are doing three things simultaneously: validating India's ability to build complex, high-value maritime assets; advancing green propulsion technology domestically; and creating deep, specialised skills in the Indian maritime workforce.
Maritime Vision 2047 sets out a clear ambition to position India as a leading maritime nation. Shipbuilding is fundamental to that vision, and this order is a direct contribution to that ambition, signalling growing global confidence in India's capabilities.
We believe this will catalyse further interest from global carriers, and CMA CGM is proud to play a leading role in that journey.
Q3. CMA CGM has set up its first R&D hub in Chennai in partnership with Capgemini. How will this hub practically transform day-to-day supply chain and logistics operations for Indian businesses?
Our R&D hub in Chennai, developed in partnership with Capgemini, marks a shift towards technology-led supply chain transformation. It focuses on artificial intelligence, digital twins and advanced analytics to improve efficiency across logistics operations.
For Indian businesses, this translates into more predictive supply chains, improved reliability, and better visibility. AI-led forecasting can help anticipate disruptions, while digital tools enable more efficient routing and real-time tracking.
By leveraging India’s strong digital ecosystem, we are building solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience across global supply chains.
Q4. The upgraded PEARL (PRX) service now offers a direct connection from West India to the US West Coast with a first departure from Nhava Sheva on March 30, 2026. How significant is this route for Indian exporters, particularly in terms of transit times and competitiveness?
The upgraded PEARL (PRX) service is a significant step in strengthening India - U.S. trade connectivity. By offering a direct link from West India to the U.S. West Coast, we are eliminating transshipment, which improves transit times and reduces complexity.
For exporters, this means faster market access, improved schedule reliability, and greater competitiveness, particularly for time-sensitive and high-value cargo.
Overall, this enhances India’s position as a key export hub in an increasingly diversified global supply chain.
Q5. Looking ahead, as corridors like IMEC take shape and India's trade ambitions grow, where do you see CMA CGM's role in India five to ten years from now, and what would success look like for the brand in this market?
Over the next five to ten years, the CMA CGM Group aims to further expand and deepen its role as a leading global end-to-end logistics and innovation partner in India.
As trade corridors like IMEC develop and India’s global trade role expands, our focus will be on strengthening multimodal connectivity across sea, land, and air, while investing in infrastructure, digital capabilities, and sustainable solutions.
At the same time, recent developments have reinforced the importance of resilient and diversified supply chains. In situations where critical routes face disruptions, the ability to leverage alternative corridors becomes essential. We see this as a key area where CMA CGM can add value by ensuring continuity, flexibility, and reliability in global trade flows.
Success for us will be defined by being a trusted partner to Indian businesses, contributing meaningfully to the country’s logistics ecosystem, and building future-ready supply chains powered by innovation.
As India accelerates its push to become a global trade and manufacturing hub, partnerships of this depth, spanning green shipping, digital infrastructure, and direct trade routes, will be central to the story. For CMA CGM, India is no longer just a market. It is a long-term bet on the future of global commerce.
( Originally published on Mar 31, 2026 )
(This article is generated and published by ET Spotlight team. You can get in touch with them on etspotlight@timesinternet.in)
