BCSL MoU signals ₹59,000 crore plan for India's container shipping line
The initiative links shipping, ports and rail logistics as part of a broader national strategy.
The Union Government has moved forward with plans to build an integrated domestic container ecosystem following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the proposed Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur. The initiative links shipping, ports and rail logistics as part of a broader national strategy.
The MoU for the BCSL was signed among the Shipping Corporation of India, Container Corporation of India, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Chennai Port Authority and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The proposal aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 and forms part of a plan to build domestic fleet capacity and container manufacturing linked to India’s EXIM logistics network.
Alongside this agreement, a tripartite MoU was signed between V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited to support the Outer Harbour Project at Tuticorin. The framework enables joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for port capacity expansion projects under the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The financing structure will focus on debt funding for breakwater construction and related onshore and offshore facilities through a hybrid annuity model.
Sonowal stated, “The BCSL, aligned with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Budget 2026–27, will anchor India’s container trade in Indian hands, while the Outer Harbour financing strengthens our port backbone. It is likely to play a multiplier role to enhance our strategic and commercial presence in global maritime trade.”
“It is a proud moment to see a long-pending vision becoming a reality. We are ensuring that there are no delays in approvals and that projects move ahead with speed and efficiency. This initiative will be highly beneficial. With the new shipping and container line being developed in partnership with CONCOR, we can build a robust, world-class container ecosystem across India,” noted Vaishnaw
Thakur said, “Both MoUs demonstrate the remarkable foresight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose leadership continues to drive India’s maritime resurgence, making the country a global force not just on land, but also on the seas.”
Officials said the push for a national container line comes as India’s economic expansion is expected to increase export-import volumes and containerised cargo flows. The absence of a domestic container carrier has been cited as a factor exposing exporters and importers to freight rate volatility and supply chain disruptions. The proposed ₹59,000 crore fleet and manufacturing push are positioned as steps towards building domestic capacity in shipping and logistics infrastructure.