Dubai, UAE – DP World, through its maritime services division Shipping Solutions, announced the expansion of its maritime fleet with the acquisition of the container ship DB World Indus. With a capacity exceeding 2,500 20-foot standard containers, it is intended to support local coastal trade in India.
The joining of DB World Indus enhances the capabilities of Shipping Solutions in the field of coastal transportation in India. This improves its ability to provide reliable, efficient and sustainable freight transport between major Indian ports.
By supporting the movement of goods via coastal transport, the ship helps relieve pressure on road networks. It promotes more flexible and environmentally responsible supply chains.
India’s coastal shipping solutions network currently covers 14 ports and includes a dedicated fleet of 10 ships.
In 2025, the company handled more than 473,000 20-foot TEUs.
Strengthening trade connectivity
The ship’s first docking at the Jeddah South Container Terminal, operated by DP World, represents another milestone in the company’s strategy to enhance trade connectivity through greater integration between its ports and maritime services.
“India’s coastal shipping sector represents an important opportunity to improve supply chain efficiency and support sustainable economic growth,” said Ganesh Raj, Executive Director of Global Operations Maritime Services at DP World. We documented this opportunity in our 2025 report (Strengthening India’s Ship Register: Paths to Global Competitiveness). Our acquisition of the ship (DB World Indus) reflects our commitment to enhancing local maritime connectivity and providing our customers with reliable, high-quality services linking companies and markets across the country.
Facilitating container movement
Coastal maritime transport plays an increasingly important role in strengthening multimodal transport networks, reducing carbon emissions, and improving the efficiency of goods movement.
By enhancing connectivity between India’s major manufacturing, industrial, and consumer centers, DP World Indus will play a significant role in facilitating container traffic along the Indian coast, providing customers with a reliable alternative to long-distance land transportation.
The acquisition of DP World Indus is in line with DP World’s broad strategy to support India’s trade and logistics ecosystem.S through continued investment in maritime infrastructure, ports, logistics and supply chain solutions.
governance reform
The report, “Strengthening the Indian Ship Register: Paths to Global Competitiveness,” provides a practical roadmap for strengthening the Indian Ship Register. To become a competitive, reliable and sustainable global platform. Which establishes the status of the Indian flag as a symbol of modern maritime efficiency, confidence and excellence.
The report identifies key recommendations including governance reform, financial and trade incentives, international communication, and green transformation initiatives.
Each of these measures aims to enhance competitiveness and align with India Maritime Vision 2030. Supporting the government’s ambition to occupy a distinguished global position in the field of maritime transport.
Last year, the shipping solutions company signed a memorandum of understanding with Sagarmala Finance Limited. An Indian government company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. To cooperate in developing and expanding sustainable coastal and shipping services across India.
