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 combining public sector financing with private sector operational expertise, the partnership aims to advance greener and more efficient coastal logistics, accelerating India’s maritime transformation.
The MoU sets a framework for cooperation to design and finance coastal shipping corridors that align with India’s national goals of decongesting roads, reducing logistics costs, and decarbonizing transport.
SMFCL will leverage its Maritime Development Fund to structure low-cost financing and credit-enhancement instruments, while Unifeeder will contribute operational experience, multimodal infrastructure, and digital capabilities.
The MoU was exchanged during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai in the presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World.
Moreover, the agreement was signed by Mr. Ganesh Raj, Global COO – Marine Services, DP World, and Shri S. T. Selvam, Director (Projects), Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited.
In its first phase, Unifeeder and SMFCL will jointly assess use cases in operational excellence, shipping corridors, and integration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), while aligning their initiatives with national green shipping programmes. The goal is to develop a scalable model that shifts cargo from road to sea, lowering emissions and strengthening multimodal connectivity across India’s logistics landscape.
Shri S. T. Selvam 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.”
Ganesh Raj added, “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 cleaner, smarter trade corridors.”
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