The Indian government has laid out plans to develop a brand new containerline. To be called Bharat Container Line, the new entity will have around 100 ships in its fleet, including ships on charter. Details as to when the liner will launch have yet to be revealed with officials saying it will be a public/private joint venture.
India has never had a large container footprint. The country’s largest international player, the Shipping Corp of India (SCI), operates just four containerships.
The government of Narendra Modi is making a big play on all things shipping at present, developing ports and shipyards on a massive scale. The Indian prime minister visited the headquarters of France’s CMA CGM yesterday while on a tour of Marseille.