Global shipping company Maersk has placed an order for 1,000 shipping containers manufactured in India, the government announced. The announcement came as Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the first India-made export-import (EXIM) shipping container produced for the company at the Maersk-CONCOR Inland Container Depot in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, July 3.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said the order reflects growing confidence in India's developing container manufacturing sector.
The ministry stated that, during the event, Maersk placed an order with the DCM Shriram Group for 1,000 additional India-manufactured shipping containers, describing it as a significant endorsement of the country's emerging manufacturing capabilities.
According to the ministry, the bulk order marks the beginning of a long-term commercial partnership that is expected to strengthen India's position in the global maritime supply chain.
The ministry said the development follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AP Moller–Maersk, in February 2025.
During that meeting, the Prime Minister had encouraged the company to support the development of world-class container manufacturing facilities in India, the ministry added.
It further stated that within just 16 months, that vision had resulted in the rollout of the country's first India-manufactured EXIM shipping container procured by an international shipping company, demonstrating the government's ability to translate strategic objectives into concrete outcomes.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Sarbananda Sonowal said India is rapidly establishing itself as a trusted global manufacturing and maritime hub under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He described the launch of the first India-manufactured EXIM shipping container for a leading global shipping line as a significant milestone in the country's journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. According to Sonowal, the achievement reflects increasing global confidence in India's manufacturing capabilities and the government's commitment to developing world-class maritime infrastructure.
