UAE-based logistics powerhouse DP World has announced a landmark commitment to invest $5 billion in India over the coming years, over and above the roughly $3 billion the group has already deployed in the country over the past three decades.

The announcement was made during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, where DP World signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Indian partners to advance the country’s maritime, logistics, and supply-chain ambitions.

Strategic Focus: Building India’s Maritime & Logistics Backbone

DP World’s expanded investment pledge is targeted at India’s infrastructure and multimodal connectivity, aimed at strengthening both export growth and domestic trade flows. The company already handles about a quarter of the container market in the country, operating five container terminals with a combined annual capacity of six million TEUs.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, said: “This new investment, along with the strategic partnerships, underlines our commitment towards developing India’s maritime and logistics sector and making the country a hub for global trade.”

The five MoUs signed at the event span a portfolio of initiatives including green coastal shipping, shipbuilding and repair, maritime skill development, advanced freight mobility, and port infrastructure upgrades.

Major MoUs & Projects

• A partnership between Unifeeder, a DP World company, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited will advance green coastal and short-sea shipping across India.
• Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World, a DP World company, have signed a Heads of Terms agreement to develop and operate an international ship-repair facility in Kochi.
• A tripartite MoU between Cochin Shipyard, Drydocks World, and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding will enhance skill development in shipbuilding and repair.
• An MoU between the Cochin Port Authority and DP World will develop handling facilities at DP World’s International Container Trans-shipment Terminal in Kochi, strengthening Kerala’s regional infrastructure.
• A novel agreement involving the Deendayal Port Authority, DP World, and Nevomo will design and install a 750-metre MagRail Booster pilot track within the port for next-gen automated, low-emission freight mobility.

Why This Investment Matters

1. Logistics Cost Reduction:
India’s logistics costs are high as a percentage of GDP. Investment in ports, coastal shipping, and connectivity could significantly reduce these costs and increase competitiveness. DP World’s focus on integrated supply chains will support both manufacturing and trade flows.

2. Export- and Port-Led Growth:
With exports and global trade forming a core part of India’s economic plans, developing maritime infrastructure—from terminals to repair yards to green shipping corridors—will help boost volumes, reduce turnaround times, and elevate India from dependency to capability.

3. Strategic Green & Digital Shipping:
With a focus on “green coastal shipping” and MagRail, DP World’s investments align with India’s sustainability goals and logistics automation vision. This positions the country to embrace modern port ecosystems and clean freight mobility solutions.

4. Regional Development & Job Creation:
Key investments in Kochi and other coastal regions are expected to drive job growth in ship repair, manufacturing, logistics, and maritime training. The partnerships with shipyards and skill centres signal long-term capability development in India’s maritime sector.

Challenges & Road Ahead

While the investment is significant, execution will be crucial. Key challenges include:

• Timely land, regulatory, and environmental approvals
• Coordination across central and state agencies to ensure seamless multimodal connectivity
• Development of coastal and short-sea shipping ecosystems
• Commercial viability and scalability of new technologies like MagRail

However, with MoUs signed and funding committed, the groundwork for transformative change has been laid.

Implications for India’s Maritime Strategy

The investment underscores India’s ambition to emerge as a global maritime power. During Maritime Week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that port surplus has grown nearly ninefold over the last decade, cargo movement through inland waterways has surged 700%, and average vessel turnaround time is now under 48 hours.

DP World’s renewed push backs India’s broader maritime goals—focusing on local shipbuilding, green shipping solutions, skilled personnel, and stronger international trade linkages. It also reinforces India’s attractiveness as a strategic market for global maritime investors.

Conclusion

DP World’s $5 billion investment is more than a corporate commitment—it is a strategic alignment with India’s future in logistics, manufacturing, trade, and maritime dominance. By enhancing infrastructure, promoting green shipping, and developing skills, the collaboration supports India’s Maritime Vision 2047. Once executed, the projects could redefine port-led trade dynamics, reduce logistics friction, and position India as a key player in global commerce.