DP World enhances its Indian coastal fleet with the DP World Indus, a 2,500 TEU container vessel, boosting maritime connectivity and efficiency.
DP World has expanded its Indian coastal fleet with the addition of DP World Indus, a container vessel with a capacity for more than 2,500 TEU, reported London's Port Technology International.
The vessel made its maiden call at Jeddah South Container Terminal, operated by DP World, in a move the company said reflects its strategy to integrate ports and marine services more closely. DP World Indus will operate along India's coastline, moving cargo between ports and easing pressure on road transport.
Shipping Solutions, DP World's Marine Services arm, now runs a coastal network spanning 14 ports with a fleet of 10 vessels. The fleet handled more than 473,000 TEU in 2025. Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer of Marine Services, stated that India's coastal shipping sector offers significant opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency and support sustainable growth.
Mr. Raj emphasized that the acquisition of the India-flagged DP World Indus reflects the company's commitment to strengthening domestic maritime connectivity. He cited DP World's 2025 report, 'Enhancing India's Ship Registry: Pathways to Global Competitiveness,' which outlined reforms and incentives to align India's registry with the Government's Maritime Vision 2030.
The addition supports connectivity between India's manufacturing, industrial, and consumption hubs, positioning coastal shipping as a dependable alternative to long-haul road transport. Last year, Shipping Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to develop coastal and short-sea services nationwide.
For terminal operators, the deployment underlines a wider push by major port groups to integrate vessel operations into infrastructure networks, as India seeks to divert cargo from congested road corridors to sea-based alternatives.
