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First Maersk Containership Arrives in India for Scheduled Maintenance

Maersk containership
Maersk Chattogram, seen in an October 2025 photo, has arrived in India for the first scheduled maintenance project (Dominic Tsan photo courtesy of VesselFinder)

By The Maritime Executive 2026-10-20 14:27:12

The first Maersk container vessel arrived in India for scheduled maintenance, marking another milestone in the efforts to expand India’s shipbuilding and repair capabilities internationally. The Maersk Chattogram (37,157 dwt) will undergo a full drydocking and overhaul starting on October 20 at India’s L&T (Larsen & Toubro) shipyard located in Kattupalli near Chennai.

The vessel, which was built in 2016, has been sailing for Maersk since 2022 and is registered in Singapore. It is 186 meters (610 feet) in length with a capacity of 2,754 TEU.

According to the companies, the ship will be using India’s largest shiplift system for drydocking and maintenance. The normal lifecycle work includes its scheduled special survey, along with maintenance and overhaul work covering the hull and structure, machinery, equipment, and propulsion system.

“The project is expected to bring together Maersk's fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers, and maritime service providers,” highlighted Arun Ramchandani, Head – Precision Engineering & Systems for L&T.  The company is one of the largest shipyards in India and is developing its repair business, including having overhauled vessels for the United States’ Military Sealift Command and the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The assignment follows through on a commitment Maersk made to India as part of the country’s goals to grow its merchant marine and shipbuilding industries. Maersk signed MOUs with both Larsen & Toubro and Cochin Shipyard to explore ship repair, maintenance, and shipbuilding. 

Maersk has already, in October 2025, reflagged two container vessels, Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius, to the Indian registry. The move helped the company meet India’s new cabotage restrictions but was also seen as a step toward growing operations in the region.

Maersk followed CMA CGM, which became the first large international carrier to reflag vessels to India. CMA CGM currently has six container vessels under the Indian flag. In total, India has 41 container vessels under its flag as it looks to grow domestic shipping as a means of reducing exports traveling on foreign-flag vessels.

The Indian government is taking steps to support the development of its shipyards and their capabilities. CMA CGM also became the first large international carrier to announce plans to build containerships in India. CMA CGM has committed to building six feeder-sized vessels, each with a capacity of 1,700 TEU, at India’s Cochin Shipyard. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery by February 2029.

Maersk has committed to working with the Indian shipbuilder in developing their capabilities. Ship repair is seen as a first step in supporting the long-term development of capabilities.
 

Top photo by  Dominic Tsan - VesselFinder