India Ramps Up Merchant Fleet with 62 New Vessels

Credit: 21 Knots

India is pushing ahead with a $5.4 billion plan to add 62 vessels to its merchant fleet, sharpening control over shipping as the Strait of Hormuz crisis strains global trade. The Maritime Telegraph reports that the move targets a critical gap: heavy reliance on foreign carriers to move essential cargo.

The programme aims to deliver about 2.85 million gross tons in 2026–2027, focusing on oil tankers, LPG carriers, and container ships. Authorities have already launched tenders for more than half of the fleet.

The urgency is clear. Disruptions in the Persian Gulf have slowed cargo flows, delayed vessels, and forced India to bring home thousands of seafarers. For one of the world’s largest energy importers, dependence on external shipping now looks like a strategic risk.

New Delhi wants to change that. The expansion is part of a broader shift toward fleet ownership, supply chain control, and energy security. Most vessels are expected to be built locally, supporting India’s shipbuilding ambitions.

For industry leaders, the signal is straightforward: in a volatile market, owning tonnage is no longer optional, it’s leverage.

Global News

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