The shipping industry in India plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth by seamlessly linking the nation’s agricultural and industrial production to domestic and international markets. With the growth of international trade and the government’s Sagarmala program for enhancing efficiency of port operations, shipping companies and their shares have come into focus as interesting prospects for investors.
The leading Indian shipping stocks showcase a blend of public sector and private sector players, each excelling in fleet size, market share, and service specialization. These corporations serve as champions of India’s maritime logistics and significantly fuel the nation’s standing as a global trade center. In this blog, we will discuss the top 10 shipping stocks in India, their overviews and key performance indicators.
What are Shipping stocks?
In India, a shipping stock refers to the equity shares of a company engaged in sea transport, logistics, or related services. They manufacture, own or operate cargo vessels, tankers, container and passenger ships which transport cargo and passengers across domestic and international waters. It also includes companies that provide essential courier services. Like any other nation, shipping stocks form an essential part of India’s trade infrastructure and facilitate movements of imports and exports which bolster the national economy.
Global trade volumes, freight rates, fuel costs, and government policies impact the performance of these stocks. Many shipping stocks provide investors with opportunities for both capital growth and consistent dividends, but they face challenges due to the global economy and changes in regulatory policies. By investing in these stocks, one can gain exposure to the growth of India’s maritime industry and take advantage of the country’s strategic location along major global shipping routes.
Market Information of Top 10 Shipping Stocks
| Company Name | Current Market Price (₹) | Market Capitalization (₹ Cr) | 52 Week High (₹) | 52 Week Low (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cochin Shipyard Ltd. | 1,867 | 491,223 | 2,775 | 1,180 |
| Blue Dart Express Ltd. | 6,857 | 16,269 | 9,489 | 5,365 |
| Great Eastern Shipping Company | 992 | 1,414,989 | 1,420 | 798 |
| Shipping Corporation of India Ltd | 219 | 1,020,710 | 335 | 138 |
| SEAMEC Ltd. | 856 | 2,176 | 1,664 | 785 |
| Essar Shipping Ltd. | 28 | 592 | 60 | 22 |
| ABS Marine Services Ltd | 213 | 51,315 | 35,815 | 92 |
| Global Offshore Services Ltd. | 83 | 252 | 139 | 6,316 |
| Chowgule Steamship Ltd | 25 | 91 | 34 | 22 |
| Shahi Shipping Ltd | 17 | 251,918 | 29 | 14 |
Shipping Sector Performance Table
| Company Name | 1Y Return (%) | 3Y Return (%) | 5Y Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cochin Shipyard Ltd. | -2707.10% | 108332.10% | 104404.10% |
| Blue Dart Express Ltd. | -1878.20% | -1731.20% | 29300.00% |
| Great Eastern Shipping Co. | -2562.40% | 14110.40% | 34407.40% |
| Shipping Corp. of India | -2959.50% | 11913.50% | 35600.00% |
| SEAMEC Ltd. | -3069.70% | -276.70% | 10577.70% |
| Essar Shipping Ltd. | -5857.80% | N/A | N/A |
| ABS Marine Services Ltd. | -3841.90% | N/A | N/A |
| Global Offshore Services Ltd. | 10277.10% | N/A | N/A |
| Chowgule Steamship Ltd. | -2251.11% | 12578.11% | N/A |
| Shahi Shipping Ltd. | -2142.12% | 30349.12% | N/A |
Overview of Shipping Companies in India
An overview of the shipping companies in India is given below:
1. Cochin Shipyard Ltd
Cochin Shipyard Ltd was commenced operations in 1972 and is a leading public sector undertaking in the field of shipbuilding and repair, with over five decades of experience and expertise in constructing and servicing a wide range of vessels. For FY2025, the company showcased strong corporate results, The shipbuilder’s revenue from operations increased to ₹1,757.65 crore in FY25 Q4 from ₹1,286.04 crore in Q4FY24 marking a 36.6% growth . The company’s annual income of ₹5,209.02 crore reflects a 25.8% growth compared to ₹4,140 crore in previous year attributed to strong performance from both shipbuilding and ship repair activities. Adding to the comprehensive leadership position, the company also offers an all-encompassing ship repair service to clients within the country and outside which include the construction of tankers, bulk carriers, passenger vessels, and specialized naval ships.
2. Blue Dart Express
With more than four decades of experience in logistics and supply chain solutions, Blue Dart Express Ltd., which was founded in 1983, is the leading air express carrier and integrated freight transportation & distribution company in South Asia. In FY2025, the company’s consolidated revenue from operations increased by 8 percent, reaching ₹5,720 Cr, illustrating strong market demand and operational resilience despite a decline in net profit for Q4 FY2025. The company operates in diverse sectors providing express delivery and freight forwarding and integrated supply chain services to B2B and B2C customers in India and serving the changing demand of e-commerce alongside the industrial sector.
3. Great Eastern Shipping Company
It is the largest maritime transporter in the Indian private sector. Founded in 1948, the company has been operating for seventy five years. Some operational issues arose during FY2025, leading to a 10% annual net profit drop to ₹2,344 crore although it managed a sales increase of 1.3% to ₹5,323 crore, the company still maintains strong financial performance and consistently paid dividends. Shareholder dividends for FY2025 stood at ₹29.70 per share, continuing its 13-quarter streak. Greatship (India) Limited, a subsidiary of Great Eastern Shipping Company, also supports offshore oil exploration alongside transportation of crude oil, petroleum, and dry bulk cargo.
4. Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.
Shipping Corporation of India Ltd was began operations in 1961 as the largest government owned shipping company, with the Government of India holding more than 63.75% of shares. In FY2025 the company made ₹843.58 net profit (24% up from prior year), with total income at ₹5800 cr (10% increase). The dividend recommended by the company board also stood at ₹6.59 per equity share showcasing the company’s commitment to the shareholders. The company offers various services such as crude oil and product tankers, dry bulk, offshore support, container shipping, and even ferrying passengers, as well as chemicals and gas transportation.
5. SEAMEC Ltd
It is one of India’s foremost providers of offshore oilfield and subsea engineering services, having nearly four decades of industry experience since its incorporation in 1986. During FY2025, the company faced difficult market conditions, resulting in a significant financial performance decline. Consolidated net sales for the company dropped to ₹140.18 crore in the December 2024 quarter, down 28.78% year-on-year, and profitability continued to face pressure through the March 2025 quarter. In India, SEAMEC’s core services, which include operation of diving support vessels, subsea engineering, and offshore logistics, make the company an indispensable ally in the country’s oil and gas exploration efforts.
6. Essar Shipping Ltd
Essar Shipping Ltd has turned out to be a key player in the Indian maritime sector. It was established in 1945 and was formally incorporated in 2010 then listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange. It is based in Mumbai and operates a diversified fleet of 26 vessels which includes VLCCs, bulk carrier and tugs which provides services like petroleum products, crude oil transportation and dry bulk cargo to India and world. It also offers logistics services and provides contract drilling services. It stays focused in supporting India’s energy and commodity supply chain sector with its shipping, logistic and oilfield services.
7. ABS Marine Services Ltd.
ABS Marine Services Ltd, Starting in 1992, the company has established its place in India’s marine logistics and offshore support industries. Most recently, in March 2025, the company reported ₹179 crore in operating revenues, while their net profit after tax was ₹27 crore. ABS Marine Services net gain, coupled with the healthy return on equity, strong operating margins and strong management makes it a strong player in the shipping sector. The financial performance of ABS can be attributed to efficient vessel management, offshore support for oil and gas exploration services along with a full range of marine logistics services.
8. Global Offshore Services Ltd.
Global Offshore Services Ltd is a Mumbai based company that was incorporated in 1976 and is promoted by Garware group. This company specialises in offshore support services for the oil and gas sector, operating with offshore vessels that transports cargo, it also handles anchor operations and offshore construction projects for clients like ONGC and Vedanta. In FY2025 the company witnessed a downturn with its net sales dropping by 16% and decline in net profits as well due to the ongoing challenges in the offshore market. Even though the company is facing challenges it still is focused on improving its core marine operations supporting India’s energy infrastructure.
9. Chowgule Steamships Ltd.
Chowgule Steamships Ltd is a part of the Chowgule Group, and has been a part of India’s shipping sector for over 60 years. Incorporated in 1963, the company faced significant operational challenges as of fiscal year 2025, with annual net sales slumping almost 10% year-over-year in the March quarter and reporting its lowest quarterly profit after tax in five quarters, indicating ongoing transport services sector headwinds. Still, the company continues to focus on their core business of operating bulk carriers, serving both coastal and international routes.
10. Shahi Shipping Ltd.
Shahi Shipping Ltd. is one of the coastal shipping companies in India with nearly four decades of experience in maritime logistics. Founded in 1985, and with its headquarters located in Navi Mumbai, the company has managed to maintain operational presence through market shifts. As a result, Shahi Shipping currently owns and operates 13 vessels while also pioneering the transshipment business. Along with bulk transport of petroleum and water, and container feeder services, the company also provides fuel to major oil corporations and supplies potable water to vessels mid-ocean.
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Key Performance Indicators
| Company Name | Operating Profit Margin (%) | Net Profit Margin (%) | ROE (%) | ROCE (%) | Debt to Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cochin Shipyard Ltd. | 24.14 | 17.16 | 14.82 | 19.0 | 0.01 |
| Blue Dart Express Ltd. | 7.51 | 4.41 | 16.19 | 18.32 | 0.13 |
| Great Eastern Shipping Company | 50.69 | 44.04 | 16.44 | 16.60 | 0.15 |
| Shipping Corporation of India Ltd | 17.97 | 14.50 | 10.14 | 10.00 | 0.23 |
| SEAMEC Ltd. | 17.41 | 13.48 | 8.89 | 9.77 | 0.21 |
| Essar Shipping Ltd. | 1,820.66 | 6,399.31 | -27.73 | -19.18 | -0.69 |
| ABS Marine Services Ltd | 23.39 | 15.15 | 11.87 | 11.07 | 0.77 |
| Global Offshore Services Ltd. | -22.47 | 11.14 | 2.72 | -4.96 | 0.20 |
| Chowgule Steamship Ltd | 63.10 | 33.11 | 2.88 | 5.29 | 0.00 |
| Shahi Shipping Ltd | 25.59 | -33.71 | -154.80 | 44.21 | 2.69 |
Factors to Consider before Investing in Shipping stocks in India
Some of the factors to consider before investing in shipping stocks are:
- International Business Patterns and Economic Developments : Shipping shares are a good reflection of the overall health of the economy, and their financial performance is highly sensitive to business cycles. During favorable economic conditions, when there is more import and export activity, freight rates and earnings tend to rise, leading to higher share prices. However, in downturns, global trade slows down, resulting in lower freight rates and declining earnings, which can negatively impact their stock performance.
- Company Business model and Fleet Operational Efficiency: Evaluate shipping company’s financial statements, profitability, debts, fleet size, etc. Operating expenses are a major consideration as companies with modern, efficient fleets tend to have lower costs, stronger competitiveness, and better profitability. In contrast, older and less efficient vessels are costlier to operate and often generate lower margins, reducing the company’s overall performance.
- Customs Framework and Regulatory Policies : Like other sectors, shipping is highly regulated. Among others, the operational expenses and the possible growth can be impacted by changes in the environmental and safety standards specified by the regulatory authorities.
- Fuel Cost Volatility and Operational Efficiency : Shipping companies incur significant expenses on fuel and daily fleet operations. Profitability can decline sharply when oil prices rise. Investors should closely examine how effectively a company manages these operational costs and whether it has strategies to hedge or reduce the impact of fuel price fluctuations.
- Leadership Quality and Industry Reputation : In a highly competitive and cyclical sector like shipping, strong governance and experienced leadership are critical. Companies with reputable management teams and a solid track record are better equipped to navigate market volatility, adapt to changing industry trends, and sustain long-term growth.
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Conclusion
Shipping stocks in India can be a lucrative investment opportunity, but they require thorough analysis as well as a grasp of the global and domestic economic conditions. Investors must pay close attention to the company’s financial performance, management, as well as to fuel prices and regulations. Although there is a possibility for growth, investing in shipping stocks can be extremely risky due to their cyclical nature. Hence, it is advised to consult a financial advisor before investing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some leading shipping companies in India?
Some of the leading shipping companies in India are The Great Eastern Shipping Company, Blue Dart Express, Cochin Shipyard, Shipping Corporation of India, etc.
Which city serves as the primary base for most of the India shipping companies?
Major shipping companies are headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
What services do shipping companies provide?
Shipping companies offer a range of services, including container shipping, bulk cargo transport, logistics support, warehousing, and freight forwarding.
What makes Indian shipping stocks attractive to the investors?
These stocks provide investors with exposure to global trade and economic growth, as well as India’s expanding logistics and maritime sector. However, they also come with high market risk due to their sensitivity to global trade cycles and freight rate fluctuations.
Are shipping stocks suitable for long-term investment?
Shipping stocks can be suitable for long-term investors who can tolerate volatility, as they benefit from global trade growth but are cyclical and highly sensitive to economic and fuel price fluctuations.
