SCI Signs MoU with Key Maritime Stakeholders to Form Bharat Container Shipping Line

By Admin

04 Feb, 2026

Introduction
In a major step towards strengthening India’s container shipping capacity and promoting maritime self-reliance, The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to establish the proposed Bharat Container Shipping Line. This initiative marks a strategic move to enhance India’s role in global container trade while reducing reliance on foreign shipping lines.

MoU Signing and Key Participants
The MoU was signed by Shipping Corporation of India Ltd in collaboration with Container Corporation of India Ltd, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, and Chennai Port Authority.

The signing took place in the august presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways; and Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Vision Behind Bharat Container Shipping Line
The proposed Bharat Container Shipping Line aims to significantly enhance India’s presence in the global container shipping market. By creating a strong national container carrier, the initiative seeks to reduce dependence on foreign shipping lines and ensure reliable, efficient, and cost-effective container services for Indian exporters and importers. This move is expected to bring greater stability to freight availability and pricing for EXIM trade.

Alignment with National Maritime Goals
The initiative is closely aligned with the Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Sagarmala Programme. By integrating shipping, ports, rail logistics, and maritime finance, the proposed shipping line supports the broader objective of strengthening India’s logistics and maritime ecosystem and improving the country’s global trade competitiveness.

Integrated End-to-End Shipping Solution
By bringing together major public sector stakeholders across multiple segments, the Bharat Container Shipping Line is designed as an end-to-end container shipping solution. It is expected to improve connectivity between Indian ports and key global trade routes, enhance supply chain resilience, and provide seamless coordination between ports, rail, and shipping operations.

Strengthening India’s Global Maritime Role
The signing of this MoU reaffirms the Government of India’s commitment to building a strong, self-reliant, and globally competitive Indian shipping industry. With the formation of the Bharat Container Shipping Line, India is poised to strengthen its position as a key maritime and logistics hub in the region, supporting long-term growth in trade and economic development.