The Union Government has made progress in establishing a domestic container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The agreement, witnessed by Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to enhance coordination among shipping, ports, and rail-linked logistics. The BCSL initiative involves key stakeholders including the Shipping Corporation of India and various port authorities, reflecting the objectives set in the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the 2026–27 budget.
In a related development, a separate tripartite MoU was signed to finance the Outer Harbour Project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port. This agreement allows for joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for port capacity expansion projects through a Hybrid Annuity Model. Sonowal emphasized that these initiatives are crucial for bolstering India’s shipping capabilities and supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Vaishnaw noted the significance of launching the container line, which aims to create a robust container ecosystem with an investment of around ₹15,000 crore. This move addresses the challenges faced by exporters and importers due to historical dependence on volatile global shipping rates.
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