India Unveils First Domestically Produced EXIM Container; Secures 1,000-Unit Order from Maersk

New Delhi, Jul 4 (KNN) Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday unveiled India’s first domestically manufactured export-import (EXIM) shipping container for global logistics major A.P. Moller–Maersk, marking a step towards building a domestic container manufacturing ecosystem.

The container, produced by DCM Shriram Group, was handed over at an inland container depot operated by Container Corporation of India in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. 

The Danish shipping firm has also placed an order for 1,000 additional containers, signalling early industry confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities.

Push for Maritime Self-Reliance

The development comes as the government seeks to position India as a global hub for container manufacturing, reducing long-standing dependence on imports, particularly from China. Supply disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities in global container availability, prompting a policy push for domestic production.

The rollout follows a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla in February 2025, where the company was encouraged to support container manufacturing in India. The first commercially procured India-made container has been delivered within 16 months of that engagement.

Policy Backing and Capacity Expansion

The initiative is supported by the Rs 10,000-crore Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS), announced in the Union Budget 2026–27. 

The scheme aims to create a globally competitive ecosystem through capital support, operational incentives and research and development assistance.

Under the programme, India plans to scale up its annual container manufacturing capacity nearly tenfold to about 7.5 lakh TEUs, while supporting both new manufacturing units and expansion of existing facilities.

Standards and Industry Impact

According to Sonowal, the initiative is expected to generate employment, enable technology transfer and strengthen supply-chain resilience. 

The container has been manufactured in line with international ISO standards and the International Convention for Safe Containers, making it suitable for global deployment.

(KNN Bureau)