India, Oct. 28 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
What are Containers?
DID YOU KNOW?
Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA)
Greenfield and Brownfield Facilities
Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA)
Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA) by Container Type
Container Type
Assistance Value (per container)
20 ft Container
Rs.49,500
40 ft Container
Rs.86,625
20 ft Specialised Container
Rs.37,125-Rs.74,250
Testing and certification assistance
Establishment of the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL)
Broader Support for the Maritime Sector
Area of Support
Key Measures and Initiatives
Legislative Support
Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 and the Indian Ports Act, 2025
Digital Support for Ease of Doing Business
One Nation One Port Process (ONOP), the Maritime Single Window and e-Samudra
Integrated Logistics Network
PM Gati Shakti, The National Logistics Policy (NLP), The Sagarmala Programme
Shipping containers are standardized steel freight containers that transport cargo across ships, railways and road vehicles without unloading and repacking the goods during transit. Built as per ISO (International Organization for Standardization) specifications, they enable seamless intermodal transport and efficient global trade. The most common sizes are 20-foot and 40-foot containers, measured in Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), the standard unit used to measure container capacity.
As per the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ~80% of global merchandise trade by volume is transported by sea.
A greenfield project involves building a completely new asset, while a brownfield project involves upgrading, renovating, or repurposing an existing asset.
Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme
Maritime transport is a cornerstone of global trade, with shipping containers playing a vital role in the seamless movement of goods across borders. As of February 2026, India's maritime sector facilitated 95% of the country's trade by volume and 70% by value. Beyond its role in trade, the sector contributes 4-5% to India's GDP.
As India strengthens its position in global manufacturing and international commerce, the demand for containerised cargo movement continues to grow, underscoring the need to build domestic container manufacturing capabilities. To amplify this, the Union Cabinet has approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) with budgetary outlay of Rs.10,000 crore up to FY 2039-40.
Building India's Container Manufacturing Ecosystem
CMPS supports the Government's initiatives under Make in India, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and multimodal logistics development, contributing to India's long-term maritime and trade ambitions-
Components under CMPS
The scheme provides assistance through major components: investment support, operational expenditure, and testing and certification.
With a financial outlay of Rs.859 crore, ISA provides a 3% per annum interest subvention on eligible term loans (capital loans) availed by container manufacturers to set up greenfield facilities and brownfield expansion of existing manufacturing capacity. To qualify for this support, projects must meet the following criteria:
The component provides a financial outlay of Rs.8,891 crore to support containers manufactured as per global shipping standards and sold by eligible manufacturers. The assistance is intended to bridge the cost gap and improve the competitiveness of domestically manufactured containers.
To avail support, manufacturers must meet a minimum local-content requirement of 70% through FY 2031-32. These criteria will further rise to 90% from FY 2032-33 to strengthen the domestic supply chain.
A financial outlay of Rs.150 crore has been allocated to support the setting up of common facilities such as Dynamic longitudinal impact.
Expected Outcomes and Wider Economic Impact
The scheme aims to expand domestic container production while strengthening India's export potential, supply chains and related industries.
Strengthening India's Maritime Ecosystem
In addition to CMPS, various other measures have been undertaken to build an integrated, domestically anchored logistics ecosystem.
To build and support an integrated container ecosystem anchored in India, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in February 2026 to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The agreement brings together the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Chennai Port Authority and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The MoU will establish a self-reliant container shipping ecosystem linking JNPA, VOCPA and Chennai ports with inland markets. It aims to improve end-to-end logistics, stabilise freight costs and strengthen India's trade competitiveness.
Several complementary government initiatives are also strengthening India's maritime sector.
Conclusion
CMPS is set to strengthen India's maritime manufacturing capabilities, enhance supply-chain resilience and create employment opportunities, while reducing import dependence. Aligned with broader maritime reforms, the scheme advances India's ambition to emerge as a globally competitive maritime manufacturing and logistics hub.
References
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/270/AU2875_nAmH3t.pdf?sourcepqars&utm
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2221817®48&lang2
https://dgma.gov.in/download/1775649151_69d6417f46b3f_dgs-nmdc-address-01042026.pdf?utm
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2222805&lang1®3&utm
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2280831&lang1®3&utm
https://dgma.gov.in/download/1774258056_69c10788105ab_24-02-2026-international-conference-on-shipbuilding.pdf
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID2222805&lang2®3
https://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/Monthly%20Summary%20-%20Feburary%2C%202026.pdf
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
https://unctad.org/topic/transport-and-trade-logistics/review-of-maritime-transport
https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2025
https://unctad.org/news/shipping-data-unctad-releases-new-seaborne-trade-statistics
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
https://survey.oecd.org/index.php?langen&rsurvey%2Findex&sid744293
PIB Archives
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2297455®48&lang1
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PIB Research
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
