- Modi Unveils BCSL at India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
- National Line Begins with 51 Ships and $6.9 Billion Investment.
- BCSL to Serve Asia, West Asia, and the Red Sea Before Global Expansion.
India has officially kicked off its first national container shipping line, Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL), aiming to lessen reliance on foreign carriers and boost the country’s maritime capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the Global Maritime CEO Forum during India Maritime Week 2025 (held from October 27 to 31) in Mumbai, calling it a significant step into India’s “new era of maritime confidence”, reports Safety4Sea.
$6.9 Billion Investment and 51-Vessel Fleet
BCSL is launching with a fleet of 51 container ships, all thanks to a public-private partnership backed by the Maritime Development Fund. Initially, the line will focus on routes in Asia, West Asia, and the Red Sea, with plans to expand globally in the future. This initiative is in line with India’s Maritime India Vision 2047, which aims to boost domestic shipping capacity and secure a larger slice of the nation’s containerised trade, which is currently dominated by foreign shipping companies.
Maritime Week Brings Major Investments and Initiatives
During Maritime Week 2025, India also saw a flurry of new announcements and investments aimed at strengthening its maritime and shipping sectors. Prime Minister Modi unveiled plans for 437 new vessels worth $26 billion, which include 60 oil and gas carriers ($5.7 billion), a “Green Tug Programme” featuring 100 eco-friendly tugs, and 11 dredgers for the Dredging Corporation of India. These initiatives represent a significant leap forward in enhancing India’s national fleet, port infrastructure, and overall presence in global shipping.
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Source: Safety4Sea
