Ein einfaches, dunkelblaues Lupensymbol auf einem hellgrauen Hintergrund.
Ein einfaches, dunkelblaues Lupensymbol auf einem hellgrauen Hintergrund.
Ein einfaches, dunkelblaues Lupensymbol auf einem hellgrauen Hintergrund.
Ein einfaches, dunkelblaues Lupensymbol auf einem hellgrauen Hintergrund.
Cover of a report titled A new playing field in the Indian Ocean by Frederic Auel, discussing the EU-India Free Trade Agreement’s impact on the German maritime sector. It features the German Maritime Centre logo on a blue background.

Title

A new playing field in the Indian Ocean: What the EU-India Free Trade Agreement means for the German maritime sector

Type of Publication

DMZ-Analysis

Author

Frederic Auel (Research Associate, DMZ)

Publisher

Deutsches Maritimes Zentrum e.V.

Publication Date

05/ 2026

ISSN

3054-9566

DOI

10.66616/n95c-q9br

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Abstract

The analysis examines the potential implications of the politically concluded EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for the German maritime sector against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. It begins from the premise that India is gaining strategic importance as a maritime actor in the Indian Ocean, supported by substantial investment in port infrastructure, shipbuilding, inland waterways and logistics, as well as by initiatives such as Sagarmala and the Maritime India Vision 2030.

At the heart of the study lies the question of what opportunities and risks tariff reduction, regulatory convergence and improved market access may create for German companies.

The analysis finds that considerable potential exists particularly in shipbuilding, shipping, port logistics and skills recruitment. German firms stand to benefit from improved export conditions, growing demand for maritime technologies and new opportunities for cooperation.

At the same time, the study highlights a number of key challenges, including rising compliance requirements, regulatory complexity, security risks along major trade routes, and longer-term shifts in competition resulting from the expansion of Indian capacities.

Overall, the analysis assesses the FTA as a strategically significant lever for diversification, resilience and a deeper maritime partnership between Germany, the EU and India.