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The Government has proposed the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) to build a globally competitive domestic container manufacturing ecosystem, reduce import dependence and strengthen India’s maritime supply-chain resilience. The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 with an outlay of ?10,000 crore over five years.

Why Does India Need Domestic Container Manufacturing?

• Around 80% of global merchandise trade by volume is transported through the sea.
• Containerised cargo accounts for nearly two-thirds of the value of international trade, making containers crucial to global commerce.
• Geopolitical tensions, shipping-route disruptions and supply-chain shocks have increased freight-rate volatility and exposed vulnerabilities in maritime logistics.
• India’s expanding manufacturing and EXIM trade is increasing demand for containerised cargo movement.
• Domestic manufacturing can reduce import dependence, improve container availability and enhance supply-chain resilience.

What is CMAS?

The Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) is a targeted government initiative to develop a competitive domestic container manufacturing industry through financial and institutional support.

Key features:

• Outlay: ?10,000 crore over five years.
• Capacity target: Annual domestic manufacturing capacity of up to 7.5 lakh Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs)—around 10 times the existing capacity.
• Greenfield support: Capital assistance for establishing new manufacturing facilities.
• Brownfield support: Assistance for expansion of existing manufacturing units.
• Operational support: Measures to improve the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers.
• Ecosystem development: Support for testing infrastructure, skilling and capacity building.

Employment and Industrial Impact

CMAS is expected to generate around 3,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs across container manufacturing and allied industries. It can also stimulate demand for ancillary sectors such as corner castings, wooden frames and Corten steel.

Building an Integrated Maritime Ecosystem

CMAS forms part of a broader strategy to integrate container manufacturing, shipping, ports and multimodal logistics.

Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL):

• In February 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways signed an MoU for establishing the BCSL.
• It brings together Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), CONCOR, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited.
• It envisages investment of about ?99,149 crore for developing a fleet of 51 container vessels and procuring domestically manufactured containers.

CMAS complements:

• PM Gati Shakti — multimodal connectivity.
• National Logistics Policy — logistics efficiency and lower costs.
• SagarmalaProgramme — port-led development.
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 — long-term maritime-sector transformation.
• Make in India — strengthening domestic manufacturing.

Shipping Containers: Prelims Facts

• Shipping containers are standardised freight units that allow cargo to move between ships, railways and road vehicles without unloading and repacking.
• They are manufactured according to internationally recognisedISO specifications.
• Common sizes are 20-foot and 40-foot containers.
• Container capacity is measured in TEU — Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.

Recent Development

In July 2026, India rolled out its first domestically manufactured EXIM shipping container for A.P. Moller–Maersk at the Maersk–CONCOR Inland Container Depot, Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. The container complied with internationally recognisedISO standards and the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC).