Rs 10,000 Crore Scheme to Strengthen India's Container Industry
New Delhi, October 28: The Union Cabinet has cleared a Rs 10,000 crore Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) to expand and modernise India's container production base. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
The programme will run until the financial year 2039-40. Its purpose is to create a world-class container manufacturing ecosystem within India, cut down the need for imports, and make the country's maritime and logistics supply chains more resilient.
An official statement noted that the scheme will promote the establishment of new container units as well as the growth of current manufacturing units. It was first unveiled in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Financial assistance under the scheme includes several components. Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) has been provided Rs 859 crore, under which eligible term loans for greenfield units and brownfield expansion projects will get a 3 per cent annual interest subsidy.
Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA) has been allotted Rs 8,891 crore. Support under this window will be extended to containers produced and sold as per global shipping standards, helping domestic makers reduce their costs and compete more effectively.
Rs 150 crore has also been set aside for the development of testing and certification facilities. This will enable shared, state-of-the-art infrastructure such as Dynamic Longitudinal Impact Testing.
The government expects India's annual container manufacturing capacity to increase nearly tenfold once the scheme is in place, rising to as much as 7.5 lakh TEU. This growth would help India meet domestic demand and also emerge as a global export centre for quality shipping containers.
The scheme will further reinforce the maritime and logistics supply chain and increase self-reliance during global supply crises.
The government estimates that the initiative may generate around 3,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs. Supporting industries, including corner casting, specialised steel, wooden frames, paint and other ancillary sectors, are also expected to see major gains.