India
DP World pledges $5 bn infrastructure investment in India: In a monumental move set to reshape India’s logistics landscape, global trade leader DP World has pledged an additional $5 billion investment into the country’s supply chain infrastructure. This massive commitment significantly augments the $3 billion the company has invested over the past three decades.
The announcement, made during India Maritime Week 2025, signals a powerful vote of confidence in India’s economic trajectory. Consequently, this investment will focus on strengthening the nation’s infrastructure backbone, advancing multimodal connectivity, and crucially, enhancing India’s competitiveness on the global trade stage.
Strategic Partnerships Pave the Way
This landmark pledge follows the signing of five strategic Memorandums of Association (MoUs) in the presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. These agreements are designed to forge industry partnerships that will unlock significant business and employment opportunities across India’s maritime sector.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment. “DP World has been a part of India’s growth story for nearly three decades,” he stated. “This new investment, combined with our strategic partnerships, reaffirms our commitment to advancing India’s maritime and logistics industry.”
Furthermore, Bin Sulayem highlighted the alignment with national initiatives. “We are fully aligned with India’s national priorities like PM Gati Shakti, Sagarmala, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Our shared commitment is helping the country chart out a bold course toward global maritime leadership.”
Key Initiatives for a Sustainable and Efficient Future
The newly signed MoUs target critical areas for growth, including green coastal shipping, shipbuilding, and advanced freight mobility. Specifically, the key agreements involve:
- Green Coastal Shipping: DP World’s Unifeeder and Sagarmala Finance Corporation will collaborate to develop commercially sustainable coastal shipping services, enabling a cleaner and more efficient logistics ecosystem.
- Ship Repair Expansion: An agreement between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Drydocks World aims to expand and operate the International Ship Repair Facility in Kochi, strengthening India’s position as a hub for global maritime services.
- Maritime Skill Development: A tripartite MoU between Cochin Shipyard, Drydocks World, and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding will jointly advance skill development to enhance India’s maritime talent pool.
- Port Infrastructure Enhancement: Cochin Port Authority and DP World will work together to upgrade handling facilities at the International Container Transshipment Terminal in Kochi, boosting operational efficiency and regional trade.
- Next-Generation Port Technology: An agreement between Deendayal Port Authority, DP World, and Nevomo will pilot a 750-meter MagRail Booster track, setting the stage for automated, low-emission port operations.
Ultimately, these comprehensive initiatives will support local manufacturing, expand market access, and lower logistics costs across the country. DP World’s expanded footprint, which already covers over 200 locations and creates more than 24,000 jobs in India, will further reinforce trade’s role as a force for economic growth and development.
