The government is considering a dedicated incentive scheme to promote the domestic manufacturing of shipping containers, aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imports and strengthening the country’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.
Sources indicated that the proposed scheme is being examined by the ministries concerned as part of broader efforts to enhance self-reliance in critical logistics infrastructure. Currently, a large share of shipping containers used by Indian exporters and importers are sourced from overseas, particularly from China, exposing the supply chain to global disruptions and price volatility.
The initiative is expected to encourage private investment in container manufacturing facilities, support technology adoption, and create employment across allied sectors such as steel, coatings, and logistics. It would also align with the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ objectives, while supporting the growth of ports, shipping, and multimodal transport.
Industry stakeholders have long advocated for policy support, citing rising container demand driven by expanding trade volumes, port capacity additions, and the push for improved ease of doing business. If approved, the scheme could help position India as a regional hub for container manufacturing, with potential export opportunities in the medium term.
Further details on the scope, incentives, and implementation framework of the proposed scheme are expected to emerge after inter-ministerial consultations.
