India targets national container shipping line and green fleet by 2047

Panaji: India will establish a national container shipping line by 2030 to reduce dependence on foreign carriers, minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways Shantanu Thakur said on Monday.

“The project will see container vessels built in Indian shipyards, with 50% domestic production by 2035. We are working with premier shipyards to design and build vessels, supported by strong financial mechanisms. The future of shipping is green, and India is leading this transformation,” Thakur said in a virtual address at the Sustainable Shipbuilding Summit 2025 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He noted that cargo movement through inland waterways grew by over 320% since 2014, reducing logistics costs and emissions. Maritime expansion, he said, is key to achieving India’s $2 trillion export target by 2030 and its net-zero goal by 2070.

Govt’s green shipping roadmap envisions 30% of the fleet running on LNG, methanol, or hydrogen by 2047.

Plans are also under way to expand India’s shipbuilding capacity to secure a 5% share of the global market by 2030, with ten world-class shipyards proposed under public-private partnerships. A National Shipbuilding Policy is being drafted to simplify regulations, offer tax incentives, train 50,000 workers, and promote research in autonomous and green vessels.

CII released a strategic study which will act as a long-term roadmap towards the country’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Goa’s shipbuilding industry, valued at ₹2,865 crore in FY24, is projected to reach ₹64,058 crore by FY37 at a CAGR of 27%, according to SBR 2023-24 and MARC analysis. With an annual capacity of 55,000 DWT and high efficiency of ₹5.18 lakh per DWT, Goa currently leads Indian shipbuilding but risks slipping to fourth place as Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh expand their capacities.