CONCOR signs MoU to form Bharat Container Shipping Line

NEW DELHI:In a significant step towards strengthening India’s container shipping capabilities and advancing maritime self-reliance, Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key maritime stakeholders for the formation of the proposed joint venture, Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL), according to a Press Statement.

The MoU was signed on 3 February 2026 at New Delhi with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), V.O. Chidambarnar Port Authority (VOCPA), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Chennai Port Authority (CPA), and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. (SMFCL).

The MoU signing took place in the august presence of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw , Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, and Shri Sarbananda Sonowal , Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The ceremony was also attended by Shri Shantanu Thakur , Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The proposed JV, BCSL, aims to acquire, own, lease, and operate container vessels, containers, and related assets for EXIM and coastal trade, enabling integrated end-to-end multimodal logistics solutions by leveraging the collective expertise of ports, shipping, rail, and maritime finance stakeholders.

The formation of BCSL is also expected to promote the growth of ancillary industries such as container manufacturing and shipbuilding , providing a strong boost to India’s maritime ecosystem. CONCOR is expected to hold a 30% stake in the proposed JV, which will function as a national carrier for comprehensive multimodal logistics services.