Cabinet clears ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme
The 2027–28 to 2039–40 programme aims to raise domestic manufacturing capacity tenfold to 750,000 TEUs.
Contextual image: freight containers at the Port of Barcelona. This does not depict India’s 2026 scheme announcement or an Indian manufacturing facility. Photo: Igor Ovsyannykov / Wikimedia Commons. CC0 1.0 public-domain dedication. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shipping_containers_in_a_port_(Unsplash).jpg
In brief: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹10,000-crore Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme to expand domestic freight-container production.
The programme will support new factories and the expansion of existing units. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways says it will run from financial year 2027–28 to 2039–40.
Key points
- Total outlay: ₹10,000 crore.
- ₹859 crore for 3% annual interest support on eligible term loans.
- ₹8,891 crore in operating-cost assistance for eligible containers built to global shipping standards and sold by manufacturers.
- ₹150 crore for shared testing and certification facilities.
- The government aims to raise annual domestic manufacturing capacity about tenfold to 750,000 TEUs.
- It estimates the programme could create about 3,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs.
A new plant must have annual capacity of at least 100,000 TEUs. Expansion of an existing plant must add at least 25,000 TEUs a year. The minimum domestic-content requirement will be 70% through 2031–32 and 90% from 2032–33.
Announcement time: October 28, 2026 at 3:42 p.m. IST.
Sources
- Union Cabinet / Press Information Bureau — October 28, 2026
- Business Standard — October 28, 2026
- ET Infra — October 28, 2026
Image: Freight containers at the Port of Barcelona; this is not a photograph of the scheme announcement or an Indian manufacturing plant. Igor Ovsyannykov / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.
.jpg){kind=link}