Maersk Begins First Planned Drydocking in India at L&T Kattupalli

A.P. Moller - Maersk is undertaking its first planned drydocking in India, with the Singapore-flagged container vessel Maersk Chattogram scheduled to enter L&T Shipbuilding's Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai in October 2026. The vessel was expected to arrive at the shipyard on 20 Oct 2026, subject to operational and weather conditions. The activity marks the first operational milestone arising from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Maersk and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) during India Maritime Week 2025, which established a framework for collaboration in shipbuilding, ship repair and exchange of knowledge on global standards. The drydocking forms part of Maersk Chattogram's normal lifecycle and includes a scheduled special survey, alongside maintenance and overhaul work covering the hull and structure, machinery, equipment and propulsion systems. Drydocking is essential to maintaining a vessel's safety, seaworthiness, operational performance and reliability for the following five years. The vessel will undergo a specialised lift-out operation using India's largest Shiplift system at the Kattupalli facility. The project is expected to bring together Maersk's fleet and technical teams with L&T, Indian subcontractors, suppliers and maritime service providers, with both partners emphasising safe execution, quality delivery and exchange of operational knowledge. The companies said the collaboration aims to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capabilities and supply chains, supporting India's ambitions to become a globally competitive maritime hub. The drydocking represents a shift from the exploratory MoU to a concrete vessel-maintenance project in India.