APM-Maersk charts 'bold' India plan

Is APM Terminals looking at expansion in India?

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Goldner: Absolutely. We have signed an MoU for Vadhavan Port and we would love to be part of that project. We also have an MoU signed with Andhra Pradesh. Several options are being considered and we need to work with the government to see which one would make the most sense. Obviously, we are present in Mumbai and Pipavav but we would like to have some more ports. On Vadhavan, we see the vision and how that fits for the growth of Northwest India. There are still many unknowns about the project that we need to understand to be able to make a competitive, compelling decision, but we're serious about it. We are also helping as much as we can to provide advice to the government on building megaports in other locations from our own learning.

India has this ambition to become a shipping hub. As a leading global player, which are the key areas with scope for work?

Cook: One can see the impact dedicated freight corridors are having on volumes, which allow us to connect to our terminals in Pipavav and Nava Sheva. In India, there is an opportunity to improve the road infrastructure, and there is work going on there. There is an opportunity in simplifying the universal logistics portals, which can streamline customs entry and also the tax code — essentially ease of doing business. These are elements that make life easier for importers and exporters and for us to do business and bring more investment into the country.

The recent vote at the International Maritime Organization seems to have derailed global efforts towards a shipping “net-zero” emission framework. How does APM-Maersk view the developments?