Global Shipping Giants Eye India's Dadri Multimodal Hub as Logistics Race Heats Upt
India's logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation, and the world's leading container shipping lines are taking notice. With the country doubling down on integrated supply chain infrastructure, major global carriers are now actively evaluating investment opportunities in multimodal logistics hub projects across India — a move that signals growing confidence in the country's freight future. At the heart of this shifting interest is the expanding hub-and-spoke logistics model, a strategy that has gained considerable traction following the formation of the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. This approach, which centralises cargo at key nodes before distributing it across a wider network, is pushing carriers to deepen their inland logistics footprint in India through large-scale infrastructure commitments. The Indian government has been laying the groundwork for this transition for some time. As part of a sweeping logistics modernisation agenda, New Delhi has approved the development of 35 multimodal logistics parks spread across the country. In addition, five mega multimodal logistics hubs have been earmarked at strategic locations — Dadri, Jogighopa, Nagpur, Chennai, and Bengaluru each chosen for their geographic and economic significance. Of these, the proposed Dadri logistics hub, situated near Delhi, has quickly emerged as the most closely watched project. Its combination of strategic connectivity and substantial cargo-generation potential has attracted interest from both global shipping majors and Indian infrastructure conglomerates. According to industry sources, container carriers including CMA CGM, Maersk, and Mediterranean Shipping Company are actively evaluating bids for the project either independently or through joint venture arrangements. The deadline for tender submissions is expected to fall later this month, making the coming weeks a pivotal period for the project. The scale of the Dadri project is considerable. Planned across approximately 825 acres, the first phase of development alone carries an estimated price tag of around USD 250 million. The hub's location is particularly advantageous it sits near the junction of India's Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, positioning it as a natural bridge between northern manufacturing centres and major western gateway ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA) and Mundra Port. Project documentation makes clear that the Dadri hub is designed with export-oriented industries in western Uttar Pradesh firmly in mind.
