Global shipping company AP Moller–Maersk has placed an order for 1,000 more India-manufactured shipping containers with DCM Shriram Group. The announcement came during the unveiling of the first export-import (EXIM) shipping container made in India for Maersk. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the container at the Maersk-CONCOR Inland Container Depot in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday.

The new order marks the beginning of a long-term commercial partnership between Maersk and DCM Shriram Group. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the partnership is expected to strengthen India's position in the global maritime value chain. The order also reflects growing confidence in India's manufacturing sector and its ability to supply products that meet international standards.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal highlighted the importance of the achievement. He said, “The unveiling of the first India-manufactured EXIM shipping container for a leading global shipping line is a defining milestone in our journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He further added, “It reflects the growing confidence of global industry in India’s manufacturing capabilities and our commitment to building world-class maritime infrastructure.”

The ministry stated that the first India-manufactured EXIM shipping container meets globally accepted quality and safety standards. It complies with ISO specifications and the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). These standards make the container suitable for international shipping and deployment across global trade routes.

The development supports the Central government's efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It also aligns with the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS), which the government announced in the Union Budget 2026. The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs 10,000 crore and aims to promote container manufacturing within the country.

The government expects the initiative to reduce India's dependence on imported shipping containers. It also aims to improve supply chain resilience and build a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme will support both new and existing manufacturing facilities. It will provide capital expenditure support for setting up greenfield container manufacturing plants and expanding brownfield facilities.

Apart from capital support, the scheme will also offer operational expenditure assistance. This support will help bridge the cost gap per container and improve the competitiveness of domestically manufactured containers in the global market. The government has also included provisions to encourage research and development activities under the scheme. These measures aim to improve innovation and strengthen India's manufacturing capabilities in the long term.

In a separate statement, Maersk described the launch as the beginning of a long-term partnership rather than a one-time achievement. The company said it sees this milestone as the foundation for a supply relationship that will continue to grow over time. It added that the partnership will expand as Indian manufacturers consistently prove their ability to deliver shipping containers that meet global quality standards at competitive costs.

The latest order from Maersk highlights the increasing acceptance of Indian-made products in the global shipping industry. It also signals new opportunities for India's container manufacturing sector. With government support and growing interest from international companies, the country aims to become an important player in the global maritime supply chain while strengthening its domestic manufacturing base.