Unifeeder strikes MoU to advance shortsea shipping in India

DP World subsidiary Unifeeder has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s government-owned Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) to develop and scale commercially sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services in India’s waters.

The MoU establishes a framework for joint action to design and finance coastal shipping corridors that support India’s ambitions to decongest roads, lower logistics costs, and decarbonise transportation. SMFCL will use 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 organisations said the MoU is aligning public sector financing with private sector operations and that the partnership aims to drive greener, more efficient coastal logistics and accelerate India’s maritime growth.

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.

Sagarmala Finance Corporation project director Shri ST 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. Together, we are unlocking new opportunities for coastal connectivity, strengthening port-hinterland integration, and driving investment in green maritime infrastructure.”