For the first time, India is attempting to enter the international container shipping market and has hired leading consultants to conduct research and provide a plan. This might signal a significant change in India’s goals in this enormous field.
The effort will be led by the Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a leading public sector enterprise in India’s logistics industry, under the Ministry of Railways. CONCOR specializes in containerised freight transportation, operating through a multimodal approach that integrates rail and road services. A total of 66 Container Terminals of CONCOR exist at vantage locations across the country in addition to 380 owned Container Trains, over 48,000 owned 20ft ISO grade shipping containers, and over 4 million square feet of warehouse space in India.
The first areas of attention will be the Middle East and South Asia. The market opportunity, its appeal, the necessary activities and resources, including financial considerations, and the actions required to create a competitive presence in the international container shipping market will all be covered in the study. According to the document, the study would also pinpoint prospective service delivery routes and critical market groups “to enable CONCOR to commence its business as a shipping line.”
With a focus on container shipping, the consultant is being asked to do a thorough analysis of the shipping sectors in India, South Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. Along with identifying market leaders, their tactics, and market shares, the study will also assess current participants in the shipping line services industry and maritime regulations. The document stated that this should eventually allow CONCOR position itself in the competitive landscape to establish itself in the international shipping sector (e.g., partnerships, acquisitions, or independent operations).
CONCOR’s shipping services, including fleet acquisition (new ships, leasing, or buy-and-lease alternatives), port infrastructure, route design, and smooth logistics integration with CONCOR’s current network, will also have an operational model developed. Potential hazards of getting into the shipping line industry, such as volatile fuel prices, geopolitical threats, and port congestion, will also be noted by the consultant. In 2025, the consultant’s report is anticipated.
