Lok Sabha Question No. 1229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Shortage of Containers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1229.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 03 RD  DECEMBER, 2024.

## SHORTAGE OF CONTAINERS

## 1229.  DR. C M RAMESH:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the long voyage time and the resultant container shortage is impacting Indian exports, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the extent to which war between Israel and Hamas, attacks by Houthi rebels in the  Red  Sea  and  Russia  and  Ukraine  War  are  impacting  availability  of containers;
- (c) the reason for India not able to manufacture containers and be in a position to supply containers instead of getting them from other countries;
- (d) the  details  of  orders  for  containers  provided  to  BHEL  and  Braithwaite,  etc., since 2021 and whether domestic companies are able to meet in delivering orders;
- (e) if not, the extent to which the Government is planning to go ahead in this regard and if not, the plans to go ahead in this regard; and
- (f) whether there are container manufacturers in Andhra Pradesh and CONCORD also places orders with it and if so, details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल ) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b): The long voyage time due to ships taking longer routes through Cape of Good Hope has impacted global trade, including Indian exports. This has resulted in increased time for goods to reach international markets. No shortage of containers has been, however, reported on account of the longer voyage time or the Red Sea conflicts issues and Russia-Ukraine War. Regular interactions are done with shipping lines, port/ terminal, and export/import associations to assess for possible interventions.
- (c): There  is  limited  demand  of  containers  manufactured  in  India  and accordingly the limited manufacturing capacity for containers in India. The container manufacturing industry is dominated by economies of scale that favor established manufacturers from other countries, who benefit from lower  production  costs,  advanced  technologies,  and  immediate  cargo loading opportunities.
- (d) & (e): Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) which is one of the major container operators in India is sourcing the containers from Indian manufacturers including BHEL, Braithwaite & Company etc the details for which are furnished below:
- A.  Total  orders  placed  by  Container  Corporation  of  India  Limited (CONCOR)  since 2021:  Total 20,890 containers
- i.  M/s Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) - 1,950 containers
- ii.  M/s Braithwaite & Co. Ltd.                               - 840 containers
- iii.

BHEL                                                                 - Nil

- iv.  Other private companies                                   -18,100 containers
- B. Total orders delivered Till Nov 2024 :  14,607 containers
3. (f): Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) have placed order with M/s Amba  Coach  Builders  Pvt  ltd  located  in  Andhra  Pradesh  of  total  2500 containers since 2021 out of which 28 containers have been delivered till Nov 2024.

| i.   | M/s Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) - 1,500 containers   |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| ii.  | M/s Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. - 236 containers               |
| iii. | Other Private companies - 12,871 containers               |

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