But what we are more keen about is how to make the big ships (in India) rather than make it a tick box exercise,” Hassan said.“Right now, there is a limitation with how big ships can be made (in India).
Because the dry docks can handle primarily up to a maximum of 270 metres (in length) and modern ships are more like 400 metres.
Eight are already on order at Cochin Shipyard and we are working on the next one.
It can be to that tune (eight ordered at Cochin), and they will be all electric (like the order at Cochin).
It’s a small start (with 1,000 containers) but a long way to go,” he added.
Advt
Ahmed Hassan,
Global Head of Asset Strategy and Operations
told ETInfra after
Advt
By ,
ETInfra
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Integrated shipping and logistics company AP Moller - Maersk (Maersk) is in talks with Cochin Shipyard Ltd and L&T Shipbuilding Ltd to build more small ships such as tugs and feeder container vessels besides expressing interest to build large ships when India overcome dry dock limitations in this regard, a top executive has said.In December 2025, Copenhagen-based Svitzer Group A/S ordered four battery-electric TRAnsverse 2600e tugs with an option for up to four additional vessels, which has since been exercised.Svitzer, one of the world’s top towage and marine services Company was part of the AP Moller-Maersk A/S (Maersk) till April 2024 when it was spun off into a standalone, listed Company on Nasdaq Copenhagen.“We are already in discussions, and you will see more being done,”Senior Vice President andat Maerskthe carrier signed an agreement in New Delhi on Friday to buy 1,000 export-import steel containers from DCM Shriram Containers, the first such order by one of the world’s top container lines.In February this year, French container giant CMA CGM SA ordered six feeder container ships at Cochin Shipyard, the first such contract for a local shipyard.Maersk said it will move in a “similar direction”.“We are more in need of those (feeder) ships. So, you will definitely see us also moving in a similar direction. But what we are more keen about is how to make the big ships (in India) rather than make it a tick box exercise,” Hassan said.“Right now, there is a limitation with how big ships can be made (in India). Because the dry docks can handle primarily up to a maximum of 270 metres (in length) and modern ships are more like 400 metres. So, for now they will be small ships,” he stated.Hassan disclosed that Svitzer will order more tugs in India but declined to reveal the order size.“It is not possible to reveal it (order size) but we are working on a plan. Eight are already on order at Cochin Shipyard and we are working on the next one. It can be to that tune (eight ordered at Cochin), and they will be all electric (like the order at Cochin). We will go for dual fuel vessels,” he said.Hassan declined to specify whether the upcoming order will also be placed at Cochin Shipyard.“We are working on all the options, and we also get guided by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. We have MoUs with Cochin Shipyard and L&T Shipbuilding; these are the two places we are looking at,” Hassan added.However, sources said that Svitzer may also look at Swan Défense and Heavy Industries Ltd for the tug orders.As part of the MoU, Svitzer has recently completed the drydocking of a tug at L&T Shipbuilding and Maersk will send its first container vessel to the engineering and construction giant’s yard at Kattupalli near Chennai in October, he added.The container order at DCM Shriram, Hassan said, was part of Maersk’s plan to Make in India.“We will make in India, and we will make it synonymous with quality. We will not compromise on quality and safety and that will remain our commitment,” he noted.Lauding the ₹10,000 crores budgeted by the government to help manufacture containers locally, Hassan said Maersk needs 5-6 lakh containers a year.“So, sky is the limit. It’s a small start (with 1,000 containers) but a long way to go,” he added.
