Shipping companies form the backbone of international commerce because they ensure maritime connectivity by carrying goods all over the world through the sea shipping routes. Such companies own and operate multiple kinds of vessels in various sizes, right from container ships and oil tankers to bulk carriers and specialized carriers, and fulfil the responsibility of seamlessly and efficiently moving cargos across international borders. From logistics and navigation to operations of their fleets and legal compliance, shipping companies manage and oversee each and every aspect of transporting goods.
India is the fastest growing economy in the world with a coastline of over 7500 kilometres and a huge number of companies involved in international trade. Consequently, India is among the most favoured destinations for shipping companies. Let’s have a look at some of the top shipping companies operating in India.
1. Shipping Corporation of India Limited
Shipping Corporation of India Limited, established in 1961, is owned by the Government of India and is the largest shipping company in the country. It has a highly diverse fleet comprising of tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels and offshore supply vessels. The company serves both domestic and international trade routes. Services include crude oil transportation through tanker vessels, containerised cargo shipping in and out of Indian subcontinent, offshore marine logistics support, overseas liner break bulk services, passenger cum cargo domestic transportation services and dry docking services.
SCI owns and operates around one-third of the Indian shipping tonnage. It also operates a Maritime Training Institute located in Mumbai.
2. Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics Limited
Essar Shipping Ports & Logistics Limited, a subsidiary of the Essar Group founded in 1945, provides crude and petroleum products transportation, integrated dry-bulk transportation services, onshore and offshore logistics services and lighterage support services. The company has a fleet of 26 vessels comprising of VLCCs, mini-bulk carriers, tugs, supramaxes, capesizes and mini capesizes. It also owns 14 rigs and a 37 million ton port and terminal facility.
Essar Shipping handles an average of 355,000 tons of dry bulk cargo, 320,000 barrels of petroleum products and 8 million barrels of crude oil on a daily basis.
3. Mediterranean Shipping Company
Mediterranean Shipping Company, founded in 1970, is a global container shipping company with operations in over 155 countries, including India. It offers ocean shipping solutions for all kinds of cargo, such as dry cargo, reefer cargo, project cargo, liquid cargo, breakbulk cargo and more. The company provides comprehensive services, right from selecting the right containers and loading efficiently to monitoring the cargo throughout the journey. Apart from ocean shipping, the company also offers air cargo solutions and inland transportation.
MSC owns a fleet of 860 vessels and operates in 300 global shipping routes to 520 ports all over the world.
4. Evergreen Line
Evergreen Line is the common trading name for six container shipping companies operating under the Evergreen Group which was established in 2008. The six companies of the Evergreen Line operate a total of 220 vessels comprising of multiple types of container ships, such as A-type, G-type, M-type, S-type, ES-type, V-type and more. They serve more than 150 shipping routes all over the world.
Evergreen Line has the capacity to handle more than 1.5 million TEU of cargo and serves more than 300 ports and terminals worldwide.
5. Maersk Line
Maersk Line, a subsidiary of the Maersk Group founded in 1927, is a container shipping company with operations in over 116 countries, including India. It operates a fleet of 700 container vessels of multiple classes with a combined capacity of more than 3.8 million TEU. The company has a vast network of shipping routes covering 374 ports worldwide.
Maersk Line provides advanced cargo tracking for real-time monitoring and specialised services for industries like pharmaceuticals and perishables.
6. CMA CMG Group
CMA CMG Group, established in 1978, is a global shipping company specialising in marine, air freight, overland and logistics services to transport all types of goods. It operates a fleet of 620 vessels, serves 420 ports through 257 shipping lines and handles all kinds of cargo, including refrigerated, oversized and sensitive cargo. In addition, the company also has a fleet of A330 and B777 freighter aircrafts with capacities of 61-102 tons.
Apart from India, CMA CMG Group is present in more than 135 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, Middle East, Africa and Oceania.
7. Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is a German shipping company founded in 1970 with operations in 139 countries, including India. It operates a fleet of 292 container ships with a combined capacity of 2.3 million TEU. The vessels hold International Safety Management certification, ISO 14001 certification for environmental management and ISO 9001 for quality management. Services are provided to transport multiple types of cargo, including dry cargo, reefer cargo, dangerous goods and special cargo.
Hapag-Lloyd serves 113 trade routes throughout the world. The company also offers inland transportation services via truck, train and barge.
8. Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited
Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited, established in the year 1948, provides transportation services for dry bulk commodities, crude oil, gas and petroleum products, and offshore business services to oil companies. The company owns a fleet of 39 vessels comprising of crude oil carriers, LPG carriers, dry bulk carriers and product carriers.
GES holds ISO 9001-2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications. The company is operates in India and abroad.
9. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, established in 1972, is a Taiwanese shipping company with a significant presence in India. It operates 96 container vessels and offers multiple types of shipping containers for various types of cargos, such as dry van, reefer, open top and flat rack. The company operates in multiple trade routes covering Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Europe, US East Coast and more.
10. Transworld Group
Transworld Group, established in 1977, offers a wide range of shipping services, such as ocean freight shipping, air freight shipping, land freight shipping, freight forwarding, e-commerce logistics, customs clearance, warehousing and more. It owns and operates a fleet of container vessels, bulk carriers and tanker vessels with capacities in the range of 700-5000 TEUs.
Conclusion
India is a major player in the international maritime trade. Advanced logistical solutions and customer-centric services of the major shipping companies operating in India have made them the most preferred options for businesses with global shipping needs.
