In a significant step toward strengthening India’s maritime logistics ecosystem, state-owned ports such as Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Ltd are likely to be inducted as minority equity partners in the upcoming Bharat Container Shipping Line, a joint venture being established by Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) and Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR), according to multiple sources.
SCI and CONCOR — both Navratna public sector enterprises — will hold the majority stake in the new national container line, while the two Chennai-based ports will support the venture with strategic port-side integration. Notably, Kamarajar Port Ltd and VOC Port Authority, reinforcing coordinated participation from the region.
A government official privy to the discussions said inter-ministerial consultations between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of Railways are in the final stages.
“In a fortnight, the equity partners will be finalised, and an MoU will be signed. A detailed business plan will follow,” the official added.
Roles & Capabilities of SCI and CONCOR
Under the proposed structure:
SCI will handle ship chartering to operate the new line.
CONCOR will deploy its robust logistics infrastructure, including 66 terminals (ICDs, CFSs, DCTs), 410 owned container trains, 56,000+ ISO-grade containers, and over 4 million sq ft of warehousing.
CONCOR’s existing strategic stakes in major container terminals at JNPA (26% in Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd) and Cochin Port (15% in IGTPL) are expected to bolster the operational foundation of the planned carrier.
The rail PSU has also expanded its maritime footprint through MoUs with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure Pvt Ltd for container terminal operations and Vadhvan Port Project Ltd for designing and managing the common rail yard at the upcoming mega port.
CONCOR’s Growing Shipping Ambitions
CONCOR has recently made strong inroads into the shipping sector by sending its own cargo containers to the Middle East, with encouraging two-way load factors.
“We have made a serious foray into the shipping sector… We are getting loaded traffic both ways with more than 30% margin per container,” said Sanjay Swarup, CMD, CONCOR, during the Q2 earnings call. The company is also exploring services to the Far East, he added.
A Step Toward Reducing Dependence on Foreign Lines
Currently, 99% of India’s EXIM container cargo is carried by foreign shipping giants such as MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen, Wan Hai, and Yang Ming. SCI, India’s only mainline container ship operator, owns just three vessels—SCI Delhi, SCI Mumbai, and SCI Chennai.
For decades, exporters have highlighted the need for a strong Indian container carrier to ensure reliability, competitive rates, and reduced dependency on global shipping companies .
The establishment of the Bharat Container Shipping Line — backed by SCI, CONCOR, and key state-owned ports — marks a crucial move toward fulfilling that long-standing demand and strengthening India’s maritime self-reliance.
