A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has become the first international shipping line to procure an export-import (EXIM) shipping container manufactured in India.
The container was unveiled at the Maersk and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) joint-venture Inland Container Depot at Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The milestone follows a 16-month process that began in February 2025, when Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of Maersk’s Supervisory Board, met Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, in New Delhi.
During that meeting, the Prime Minister asked Maersk to support the development of container manufacturing capacity within India.
Ahmed Hassan, Senior Vice President at A.P. Moller-Maersk, commented on the process: “I am really proud of what we have achieved, from a shared vision through execution to the unveiling of the container today. We have shared our global standards, deployed the best technical minds, and collaborated with Indian manufacturers and the Ministry to make this happen.
“It is proof that India’s manufacturing ecosystem is getting ready for global demand. With the right investments in production facilities and a supporting ecosystem, we are confident the industry will get there.”
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Sonowal framed the milestone within India’s broader industrial ambitions: “India has long been a nation of traders and seafarers. Today, we take a proud step forward as a manufacturer of containers, with international shipping lines procuring them from our country. The first made-in-India Maersk container is a testament to what is possible when global companies believe in India’s potential. This is Atmanirbhar Bharat in action, and I am delighted that Maersk has chosen to lead from the front.”
The container underwent Maersk’s standard quality assurance process, which requires compliance with ISO structural and dimensional specifications and the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC).
Structural prototype testing under ISO 1496, covering stacking, lifting, racking, floor strength, and weatherproofing, was overseen by a classification society and witnessed by Maersk representatives.
The unit passed all tests and received full CSC safety approval. Maersk stated that it shared its technical standards with manufacturing partner DCM Shriram Group throughout development.
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The commercial case for Indian-manufactured containers has been supported by government policy, including a proposed INR 10,000 crore Production Linked Incentive scheme included in the Union Budget 2026.
The scheme was developed jointly by the government, manufacturers, and shipping lines, and forms part of India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme.
Maersk said it has participated in shaping this policy framework and intends to remain involved as it develops further.
Maersk added that it expects to deepen its engagement in container manufacturing in India as the country’s production capacity and quality standards continue to develop, describing the milestone as the basis for a longer-term supply relationship rather than a standalone achievement.
For more information:
Maersk – https://www.maersk.com/
