Unifeeder signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) to develop and scale commercially sustainable coastal and short-sea shipping services.
The collaboration combines public financing with private operational expertise to advance greener logistics and accelerate India’s maritime transformation.
The MoU set a framework to design and fund coastal shipping corridors, supporting India’s goals to decongest roads, lower logistics costs, and reduce transportation emissions.
SMFCL will deploy its Maritime Development Fund to offer low-cost financing and credit-enhancement tools, while Unifeeder provides operational expertise, multimodal infrastructure, and digital capabilities.
The agreement was exchanged during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and DP World Group Chairman and CEO H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
It was signed by Ganesh Raj, Global COO – Marine Services, DP World, and Shri S. T. Selvam, Director (Projects), SMFCL.
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Initially, the partners piloted use cases across operational efficiency, shipping corridors, and Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) integration, aligned with national green shipping programmes.
The initiative seeks a commercially viable model that shifts cargo from road to sea, cuts emissions, and improves multimodal connectivity.
Shri S. T. Selvam described the partnership as a key step in building a sustainable coastal shipping ecosystem, combining SMFCL’s financial innovation with Unifeeder’s operational scale to enhance port-hinterland integration, boost coastal connectivity, and drive investment in green maritime infrastructure.
Ganesh Raj said the collaboration reflects DP World’s commitment to sustainable and resilient maritime logistics, helping reduce costs, accelerate the shift to sea transport, and reinforce India’s global leadership in maritime trade.
The initiative aligns with the Sagarmala Programme, PM Gati Shakti, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, supporting sustainable growth, improved connectivity, and global competitiveness.
