DP World will invest an additional USD 5 bn in India to strengthen its supply chain network through multimodal connectivity and infrastructure, according to a press release. The announcement was made during India Maritime Week 2025, where DP World inked five MoUs with several industrial partners. The signed agreements include:

  • An MoU between its feeder and multimodal transportation business Unifeeder Sagarmala Finance Corporation to develop India’s shipping capabilities to develop green coastal and short-sea shipping across India;
  • An MoU between DP World and the Cochin Port Authority to upgrade handling facilities at DP World’s International Container Transshipment Terminal in Kochi;
  • A tripartite MoU between Drydocks World, Cochin Shipyard, and the Center of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) to improve skill development in shipbuilding and repair;
  • An MoU between Deendayal Port Authority, DP World, and Nevomo (MagRail) to design and install a 750-metre booster pilot track in the port.

Background: Abu Dhabi is also planning on investing upwards of USD 2 bn in India’s Maharashtra’s ports and shipbuilding sector, under an MoU inked between Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and Maharashtra Ports Department. Meanwhile, DP World’s marine and ship repair subsidiary — Drydocks World — inked a heads of terms agreement with India’s Cochin Shipyard to set up India’s first vessel repair cluster.

It’s all part of a bigger plan: DP World, which has invested USD 3 bn so far in India, had planned to boost its presence in the country by expanding into more industrial parks and logistics projects. The port operator launched operations at Cochin Economic Zone in the Vallarpadam terminal back in June 2024 and also operates in Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Business Park and Chennai’s Integrated Chennai Business Park. The firm also operates five container terminals in India’s Mundra, Cochin, and Chennai, as well as two in Mumbai.

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