‘China plus one’ strategy boosts India as major beneficiary in liner schedules

By Admin

16 Sep, 2025

India is steadily emerging as one of the biggest winners in global shipping as the ‘China plus one’ strategy reshapes supply chains worldwide. With manufacturers and traders diversifying operations away from China, shipping lines are realigning their services   and Indian ports are fast becoming the focal points of these new cargo flows.

Rising prominence of Indian ports

Carriers are increasingly prioritizing direct calls and introducing new services to Indian gateways. Ports such as Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Chennai, and Vizhinjam are gaining strategic significance in revised liner rotations. Once considered secondary options, these ports are now consistently treated as core calls in global schedules.

Capacity deployment on key routes

Industry analysts point out that shipping lines have ramped up capacity on the India–US and India–Europe trade lanes. The shift comes as sourcing and manufacturing move from China to India and Southeast Asia, ensuring better long-haul connectivity for Indian exporters. Weekly mainline capacity calling Indian ports has grown by double digits over the past year, according to shipping databases, with major alliances slotting India into rotations previously dominated by China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

Boost in export-import volumes

Freight forwarders are already seeing the impact across containerized trade. Electronics, machinery, textiles, and auto components are leading the surge in volumes. Both exports and imports are benefiting, as India becomes a central pillar of global supply chain realignment.

Government support and infrastructure upgrades

Trade experts highlight that multinational companies are scaling up investments in India, aided by policy incentives and rapid improvements in port infrastructure. This supportive environment is helping India cement its role as a reliable hub for global trade flows.

A structural advantage for India

Industry observers believe the trend is not just cyclical but structural. As one analyst noted, “The ‘China plus one’ momentum is translating into a lasting advantage for India in global trade. Carriers are aligning their schedules to ensure Indian exporters and importers remain seamlessly integrated into global supply chains.”

With the global logistics landscape undergoing a seismic shift, India’s ports and shipping ecosystem are now firmly positioned at the heart of international trade routes. The ‘China plus one’ strategy is no longer just a business hedge it is becoming a transformative opportunity for India’s rise in maritime trade.