Archive · 8 Dec 2025
India Aims to Re-flag 300 Foreign Ships by 2030
The Indian government wants to bring 300 foreign ships under the Indian flag by 2030.
This means changing the ships' nationality so they follow Indian maritime laws.
The government has already started this process with 50 ships and expects to finish in the next 3 months.
Big global shipping companies are interested in this because India is offering special benefits, like tax breaks and easier rules.
The goal is to make shipping cheaper and more reliable for Indian goods, which will help exports.
The government has also set aside a lot of money to build and repair ships and improve ports.
This will help India have more control over its shipping and make it easier to trade with other countries.
The Indian government aims to re-register 300 foreign-owned ships under the Indian flag by 2030.
The process for 50 vessels has started and is expected to complete in the next 3 months.
11 global shipping majors have expressed intent to shift part of their fleets to the Indian registry.
The move is expected to boost exports, lower logistics costs, and ensure supply chain resilience.
The government has introduced policy incentives, including tax exemptions and prioritization of Indian-flagged ships for government cargo.
- Who
- Indian government and global shipping majors
- What
- Re-flagging of 300 foreign-owned ships under the Indian flag by 2030
- When
- Process started, expected to complete by 2030
- Where
- India
- Why
- To expand the domestic fleet, lower logistics costs, boost exports, and ensure supply chain resilience
- Target
- 300 foreign-owned ships to be re-registered by 2030
- Current Process
- 50 vessels in process, expected to complete in 3 months
- Global Shipping Majors
- 11 global shipping majors have expressed intent to shift part of their fleets
- Economic Impact
- Expected to boost exports, lower logistics costs, and ensure supply chain resilience
- Policy Incentives
- Prioritization of Indian-flagged ships for government cargo, tax exemptions, and economic benefits for ship management companies
- Budget Allocation
- Rs 70,000-crore package for shipbuilding, ship repair, and port modernisation
- Current Fleet
- 1,600 merchant vessels with a total gross tonnage of 14 million tonne
