In a significant development for India’s maritime and manufacturing sectors, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal revealed the first export-import (EXIM) shipping container made in India for global shipping leader A.P. Moller–Maersk. The unveiling took place at the Maersk-CONCOR Inland Container Depot in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. Maersk has also ordered an additional 1,000 India-manufactured shipping containers from DCM Shriram Group, marking the start of a long-term commercial partnership aimed at enhancing India’s global maritime standing.
This achievement stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of A.P. Moller–Maersk, in February 2025. During this interaction, the Prime Minister urged the company to actively support the development of top-tier container manufacturing in India. Within a short span of 16 months, this vision has materialized with the successful launch of India’s first internationally procured, India-manufactured EXIM shipping container, showcasing the government’s ability to translate strategic goals into prompt action.
Speaking at the event, Sonowal emphasized India’s emergence as a reliable global manufacturing and maritime hub under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The introduction of the first India-manufactured EXIM shipping container for a prominent global shipping line signifies a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. It underscores the increasing trust of the global industry in India’s manufacturing capabilities and the nation’s dedication to constructing top-notch maritime infrastructure.
The inaugural India-manufactured container has been crafted in compliance with globally recognized quality and safety standards, including ISO specifications and the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), ensuring its suitability for global use. This development aligns with the Modi government’s initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing through policy measures, such as the Rs 10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) framework announced in the Union Budget 2026 to promote domestic container manufacturing.
Sonowal highlighted that the CMPS scheme aims to enhance annual manufacturing capacity by tenfold to 7.5 lakh TEUs, supported by capital assistance, operational incentives, research, testing, and technology advancement. This initiative is poised to establish a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem, create job opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, and significantly fortify India’s supply-chain resilience. The event witnessed the presence of Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Marisa Gerards, AP Moller Maersk Managing Director Thomas Theeuwes, senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and representatives from the DCM Shriram Group.
