Is India about to see the birth of a new container giant? The government has presented plans for a liner shipping company whose capacity could easily rival the competition.
The “Bharat Container Line” will reportedly put a fleet of 100 ships into service, including charter ships. It will be a joint venture between the state and private sector.
In terms of the sheer number of ships, the new shipping company would easily position itself in the top 20 largest container lines. No details have yet been provided regarding market entry. The new line would potentially increase the container capacity in Indian hands by a factor of twenty. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), currently the largest internationally active company, has a fleet of only four container ships, which are mainly used for short-sea traffic.
India is massively expanding shipping
According to international reports, the global shortage of containers following the Covid-19 pandemic was a driving factor in the decision to set up a state-owned shipping company. Freight rates rose enormously and hit Indian exporters hard. With Bharat Container Line, India will strengthen its resilience in the supply chain and at the same time expand its position in global trade, it is said.
Shipping is one of the fastest growing sectors in India. In the future, the maritime infrastructure is to be significantly expanded, for which large sums have already been invested in ports and shipyards. Around USD 6 billion has been earmarked for shipping in the financial year 2025-26, half of which will flow into a new fund.
