German liner giant Hapag-Lloyd has signed a series of agreements with the Indian government, outlining plans to deepen its presence in one of the fastest-growing markets in global shipping.
The Hamburg-based carrier said it had agreed to three letters of intent with New Delhi following talks in Mumbai between CEO Rolf Habben Jansen and India’s shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The agreements cover potential vessel reflagging, ship recycling, and port development initiatives.
As part of the plan, Hapag-Lloyd will consider reflagging up to four vessels under the Indian registry. However, the timeline and details of the ships involved have not yet been finalized. The company said any decision will depend on further commercial and regulatory assessments.
The agreements also include cooperation on expanding India’s ship recycling capacity, with a focus on compliance with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. In the longer term, the plan could support the development of facilities capable of handling up to 100 vessels, as India seeks to strengthen its position in the global ship recycling market.
At the same time, the carrier is in discussions to support the development of Vadhavan Port in cooperation with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. The project is seen as a key part of India’s efforts to expand port capacity and strengthen its role in global supply chains.
The move comes as major liner operators continue to expand their operational and strategic presence in India. Competitors are also shifting tonnage under the Indian flag and entering agreements with local shipyards as the government rolls out incentives aimed at building a stronger domestic maritime ecosystem.
Hapag-Lloyd already has a well-established presence in India, employing more than 2,800 people across 17 offices and operating six dedicated liner services connecting the country to major global trade lanes. The company has also invested in J M Baxi Ports & Logistics, a major private terminal and inland logistics operator handling around 3.2 million TEU annually.
As part of its broader growth strategy, Hapag-Lloyd is targeting an increase in cargo volumes to and from India to around 3 million TEU by 2030, reinforcing its position in global container trade and key emerging markets.
