Insight Focus
The Indian government is enhancing its maritime presence. It is establishing a new national container line, a dedicated port operator, and making ambitious shipbuilding investments. These efforts aim to boost India’s global trade position and reduce reliance on foreign operators.
India Launches National Ocean Carrier
The Indian government is launching a national ocean carrier to transform the country’s supply chain sector and make Indian exports more competitive. According to the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEFO), which has long advocated for government support in securing key trade lanes with Indian-registered vessels to ensure cost efficiency and market competitiveness, this initiative is expected to reduce export costs by USD 50 billion.
The first phase of the project will see 100 second-hand and chartered container vessels deployed. Financing will come through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed in collaboration with private investors and government entities. The goal is to secure India’s trade routes and lessen dependency on foreign shipping lines, making Indian goods more attractive to global markets.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised that the national carrier will help derisk overseas trade and, along with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), strengthen India’s global trade operations.
India Establishes National Port Operator
In addition to launching a national container line, the Indian government is creating a dedicated national port operator to manage overseas terminal operations. The consortium, named Bharat Global, will include major state-backed organisations such as:
- Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation
- Sagarmala Development Company
- Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)
This initiative aims to enhance India’s control over international port and terminal operations and ensure efficiency in trade movements. By managing port operations abroad, India can secure better logistics infrastructure, reduce shipping costs and strengthen its trade corridors.
Plans for Shipbuilding Investment Move Forward
As part of its long-term maritime strategy, India is also planning significant investments in enhancing its shipbuilding capabilities. The government has set ambitious targets, aiming to enter the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top five by 2047.
To achieve this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her 2025-26 budget speech, announced financial assistance for shipbuilding under the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance (SBF) policy, which is designed to encourage both public and private partnerships, fostering growth in domestic ship production.
Delhi’s vision includes not only developing shipyards but also building large vessels to reduce reliance on foreign-built ships. By strengthening its shipbuilding sector, India aims to create a robust maritime infrastructure that supports its export-driven economy.
India Aims to Join the Shipping Elite
With a national container line, a dedicated port operator and a robust shipbuilding investment, India aims to position itself as a major global maritime player. These initiatives are expected to enhance the nation’s trade competitiveness, reduce dependency on foreign shipping stakeholders and strengthen its shipping industry. The cornerstone of this maritime mega project is the establishment of a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) of a Maritime Development Fund (MDF) with a corpus of INR 25,000 crore (approximately USD 3 billion).
The Indian government will contribute 49% to this fund, with the remainder expected from ports and private investors. The MDF is designed to provide long-term financial support to the shipbuilding and repair sectors, addressing the industry’s need for sustained capital infusion.
As the country progresses towards its 2030 and 2047 maritime goals, these investments will play a crucial role in shaping India’s future as a leading maritime power. Although India aims to challenge the dominance of several traditional shipping powers, such as Greece, China and Japan, it seems to have a comprehensive plan, including all the necessary elements to make a dynamic entrance onto the major shipping stage.
