India Launches $1.2bn Plan to Boost Container Production

India is shifting its focus beyond ships and ports to the containers that underpin global trade. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a new budget initiative that includes a ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion) program aimed at building a domestic container manufacturing industry over the next five years.

At present, India produces around 30,000 containers per year, while China’s manufacturing capacity exceeds 5 million units annually.

Government officials believe expanding domestic production will help meet local demand, including requirements for the emerging Bharat Container Shipping Line. Over time, they also hope India can develop containers as an export product.

However, India is entering a market where other low-cost Asian countries, including Vietnam and Bangladesh, are already seeking to gain ground by offering competitive pricing and strategic proximity to major shipping hubs.

China remains overwhelmingly dominant in container production, with its factories responsible for more than 95% of the world’s dry cargo containers and nearly all refrigerated units.