A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on February 3, 2026, in New Delhi to boost the maritime capabilities of the nation. This agreement marks the formal beginning of ‘The Bharat Container Shipping Line’ (BCSL), a new Joint Venture Company. This initiative brings together several major public sector entities to strengthen the container shipping industry in India. The signing event took place at 16:00 hours, following initial announcements made during the India Maritime Week in 2025.
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Shareholding pattern of the new company
The new joint venture includes a consortium of state-owned enterprises. The equity structure has been clearly defined to ensure a balance of power and responsibility among the partners. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) hold the largest shares in this new entity.
Here is the detailed breakdown of the equity distribution:
| Entity Name | Equity Share |
|---|---|
| The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) | 30% |
| Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) | 30% |
| Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. (SMFCL) | 20% |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) | 10% |
| V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority | 5% |
| Chennai Port Authority (CPA) | 5% |
Objectives and operational plans
The main goal of establishing The Bharat Container Shipping Line is to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign carriers for export and import cargo. The company will focus on acquiring, owning, and leasing container vessels to serve both international and coastal trade. By doing this, the government aims to create a strong national shipping line that can handle the growing logistics needs of the economy.
Under the planned framework, the Shipping Corporation of India will take the lead in chartering vessels. Meanwhile, CONCOR will support the operations with its vast inland logistics network and terminal operations. This collaboration is expected to provide complete end-to-end logistics solutions, connecting sea routes directly with land transportation systems efficiently.
