A.P. Moller – Maersk has unveiled its first export-import shipping container manufactured in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s maritime manufacturing sector. The container was launched at the Maersk and Container Corporation of India joint-venture Inland Container Depot at Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.

The development makes Maersk the first international shipping line to procure an EXIM container manufactured in India. Following the unveiling, Maersk placed an order with DCM Shriram Group for 1,000 additional containers, signalling the start of a scaled commercial partnership.

The milestone follows a 16-month process that began in February 2025 after Maersk’s Chairman of Supervisory Board, Robert Maersk Uggla, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting encouraged Maersk to support the development of world-class container manufacturing capabilities in India.

The India-made container has passed Maersk’s global quality assurance standards, including ISO structural and dimensional specifications, International Convention for Safe Containers requirements and prototype testing for stacking, lifting, racking, floor strength and weatherproofing. It has also received full CSC safety approval.

Maersk worked with its Indian manufacturing partner by sharing technical knowledge and global standards during the development phase. The company said the container demonstrated India’s ability to meet international shipping requirements.

The project has also been supported by the Union Government’s proposed Rs 10,000 crore Production Linked Incentive support in Union Budget 2026. The policy aims to improve the commercial viability of Indian-manufactured containers and support the goals of Maritime Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.