Maersk is set to conduct its first scheduled dry docking in India. The container ship Maersk Chattogram, flying the Singapore flag, will enter the L&T shipyard in Katupalli near Chennai in October 2026.
Details of the Collaboration between Maersk and L&T
This activity serves as the first practical phase of a memorandum of understanding signed between Maersk and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) during India Maritime Week 2025. This memorandum outlines a framework for exploring collaboration in shipbuilding, ship repair, and knowledge exchange regarding global standards and the establishment of high-quality capabilities and resources.
The Maersk Chattogram is expected to arrive at the shipyard on October 20, 2026, subject to operational and weather conditions. The scheduled dry docking will be part of the normal life cycle of this vessel and will include special inspections, maintenance, and repairs on the hull, structure, machinery, and propulsion systems.
The Importance of Dry Docking and Its Processes
Dry docking is a scheduled process in which a ship is transferred into a dry dock, allowing for extensive inspection, maintenance, and repairs in parts of the ship that are typically underwater. This process is essential for maintaining the safety, seaworthiness, operational performance, and reliability of the ship for the next five years. The Maersk Chattogram will undergo specific operations to be lifted out of the water by the largest ship simulation system (Shiplift) at L&T Shipbuilding in Katupalli.
The dry docking of the Maersk Chattogram in India is a significant step towards realizing collaboration with L&T. We are aligning Maersk's global technical needs with the growing capabilities of shipbuilding, suppliers, and marine services in India. We believe that India has high potential to become an important global hub in the maritime sector, and we are committed to supporting this development through long-term partnerships, operational experience, and knowledge exchange.
Dinesh Kumar Balraj, Head of Fleet Operations East A.P. Moller - Maersk, stated: "The arrival of the Maersk Chattogram in Katupalli advances our strategic collaboration under the memorandum of understanding and framework agreement signed between our organizations. Combining Maersk's global maritime expertise with L&T's shipbuilding capabilities will achieve our goal of strengthening capabilities and the domestic supply chain across the shipbuilding ecosystem."
This project is expected to bring together Maersk's fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers, and marine service providers. Partners will emphasize safe and efficient execution, quality delivery, and operational knowledge exchange throughout the dry docking process.
This activity reinforces Maersk's extensive commitment to the maritime development of India and belief in the engineering talents, infrastructure, and potential of the country in the maritime value chain. It also signifies the long-term intent of collaboration between Maersk and L&T, transitioning from an exploratory framework to a tangible ship maintenance project in India.
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