UNIFEEDER AND SAGARMALA FINANCE CORPORATION LIMITED PARTNER TO ADVANCE GREEN COASTAL SHIPPING IN INDIA
The partnership will accelerate sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping, strengthen India’s multimodal logistics ecosystem, and advance the nation’s low-carbon maritime vision.
Mumbai, India, 29 October: Unifeeder, a DP World company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to collaborate on developing and scaling commercially sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services across India.
By aligning public sector financing with private sector operational expertise, the partnership aims to drive greener, more efficient coastal logistics and accelerate India’s maritime transformation.
The MoU established a framework for joint action to design and finance coastal shipping corridors that support India’s ambitions to decongest roads, lower logistics costs, and decarbonize transportation. SMFCL will utilize its Maritime Development Fund to design low-cost financing and credit-enhancement instruments, while Unifeeder will contribute its operational expertise, multimodal infrastructure, and digital capabilities.
The MoU was exchanged in the august presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, between Mr. Ganesh Raj, Global COO – Marine Services, DP World, and Shri S. T. Selvam, Director (Projects), Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
In its initial phase, Unifeeder and SMFCL will jointly evaluate, and spearhead use cases across operational excellence, shipping corridors, and DFC integration, as well as aligning initiatives with the national green shipping programmes. The initiative aims to create a commercially viable and scalable model that shifts cargo from road to sea, reducing emissions and improving multimodal connectivity across India’s supply chains.
Shri S. T. Selvam, Director (Projects), Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal step towards building a sustainable coastal shipping ecosystem for India. By combining Sagarmala Finance Corporation’s financial innovation with Unifeeder’s operational scale and expertise, we aim to deliver efficient, low-emission shipping solutions that complement national priorities under Sagarmala and Gati Shakti. Together, we are unlocking new opportunities for coastal connectivity, strengthening port-hinterland integration, and driving investment in green maritime infrastructure.”
Ganesh Raj, Global COO, Marine Services DP World said, “Through Unifeeder, DP World is partnering with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to further advance India’s vision for sustainable and resilient maritime logistics. This collaboration reflects our commitment to enabling Viksit Bharat 2047 through co-creation of cleaner, smarter trade corridors. By piloting the combination of innovative financing and green shipping solutions, the aim is to help reduce logistics costs, accelerate modal shift to sea, and enhance India’s position as a global leader in maritime transformation.”
The collaboration complements India’s Sagarmala Programme, PM Gati Shakti, and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, charting a shared pathway toward sustainable growth, enhanced connectivity, and global competitiveness.
For DP World media enquiries, please contact:
Joyson Castelino Saloni Sheth
Edelman India Edelman India
Joyson.Castelino@edelman.com Saloni.Sheth@edelman.com
+91 9920037039 +91 7003417802
About Unifeeder Group:
Unifeeder Group is a dynamic logistics company, covering Europe, Africa, Asia & Latin America. We operate more than 150 vessels and make the way for +5,5 Mio. containers every year. Our journey in delivering innovative transport solutions started in 1977 with the foundation of Unifeeder in Aarhus, Denmark.
Since then, Unifeeder has grown from the best-connected Feeder & Shortsea network in Europe to being an international logistics company, providing efficient and sustainable logistic services throughout large parts of the World. Today we are Unifeeder Group, a sound company with more than 1100 skilled colleagues worldwide.
Unifeeder simplifies the complex tasks of choosing and managing supply chains by providing efficient and sustainable transport solutions. By expanding the network, coming up with innovative solutions and being agile in day-to-day operations, we enable our customers to concentrate on their core business while we make their cargo flow.
As a key player in global and regional supply chains, we of course recognize our environmental responsibilities and are committed to contributing to the reduction of local, national & global emissions. We are very focused on environmental footprint and bringing down emissions.
Since 2018, the Unifeeder Group is owned by DP World, a leading global end to end supply chains solutions provider, who operates multiple yet related businesses. With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 100,000 employees, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future. Within DP World, the Unifeeder Group forms part of the business pillar; DP World Marine Services.