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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">MUMBAI</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> — French shipping titan <b>CMA CGM</b>
is set to register its sixth vessel under the Indian flag, the <i>CMA CGM
Semarang</i>, as global carriers pivot their strategies to comply with India’s
increasingly stringent maritime regulations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The move
marks a significant expansion for the Rodolphe Saadé-led company, which has
rapidly reflagged five other vessels since 2025. The transition comes just as
New Delhi tightens the screws on ship ages and domestic shipping rights,
forcing international players to choose between "flagging in" or
facing restricted access to one of the world's fastest-growing markets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
reflagging of the <i>CMA CGM Semarang</i> is a strategic maneuver designed to
beat a looming regulatory deadline that could otherwise bar the vessel from
Indian waters. Under the Directorate General of Maritime Administration’s 2026
notification, India has instituted a strict <b>20-year entry limit</b> for
container ships; because the <i>Semarang</i> was built in 2007, it is rapidly
approaching this age threshold. By switching from the Maltese flag to the
Indian tricolour now, CMA CGM is locking in the vessel's registration while it
is still legally eligible, thereby securing its long-term right to operate
within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and avoiding the "regulatory
lock-out" that would affect older, foreign-flagged ships.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The End
of "Relaxed" Borders<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Industry
experts say the rush to reflag is a direct response to the end of India's
relaxed <b>cabotage laws</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For years,
foreign-flagged ships enjoyed exemptions that allowed them to carry domestic
cargo without specific licenses. However, the <b>Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways</b> has officially withdrawn these relaxations. While a six-month
"grace period" was granted in April due to global economic
uncertainty, the message to carriers is clear: to trade domestically in India,
you must fly the Indian flag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Industry
Impact:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Global
giants like <b>Maersk</b>, <b>MSC</b>, and <b>Hapag-Lloyd</b> are reportedly
following suit, exploring ways to expand their own Indian-flagged fleets to
avoid being sidelined by the new Coastal Shipping Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">A $360m
Boost for Indian Shipbuilding</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">CMA CGM’s
commitment to the region extends beyond administrative paperwork. In February,
the company signed a landmark <b>$360 million deal</b> with <b>Cochin Shipyard
Limited</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
contract involves the construction of six LNG-powered container ships, each
with a 1,700 TEU capacity. This partnership is being hailed as a major win for
the "Make in India" initiative, signaling that global shipping majors
are now viewing India not just as a destination for their cargo, but as a
high-tech hub for their future green fleets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>