Container Makers Told To Ramp Up Production

Exhorting container manufacturers to ramp up production, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has asked the industry not to limit their plan to meet just CONCOR's demand but also to cater to the global market.

CONCOR, a leading multimodal logistics company, is a Navratna Public Undertaking of Ministry of Railways with pan India footprints.

Addressing a webinar, Goyal suggested that a scheme for fitting GPS enabled devices could be thought of for better tracking of containers to ensure proper tracking of all containers coming into the country.

Organised by Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), the webinar on “Indigenous Manufacturing of Containers” was attended by major players in the industry including BHEL, Braithwaite, Kalyani cast tech and Balmer Lawrie among others.

The webinar assumes significance as it was held amid the shortage of containers in the country.

Expressing his happiness at the gathering of all stakeholders related to container manufacture, operation and maintenance, Goyal asked the industry to work together with the government, CONCOR and other supply chain participants to make India the container manufacturing capital of the world.

The webinar highlighted the issue that India was already equipped with the technical knowhow required to manufacture these containers. It was also discussed that various specified materials required for container manufacture which enhance weather resistant qualities and strength were
available in the country and a concerted effort would result in long lasting benefits.

Major steel players like SAIL, Tata Steel and Jindal Steel confirmed availability of required better grade steels.

Indigenous manufacturing of containers shall be a big boost for Indian industries and generate employment for the youth. Cutting down the dependence on import of containers shall also save India precious foreign exchange.

Indian manufacturing companies like BHEL, Braithwaite, Kalyani cast tech, Balmer Lawrie, Transafe, DCM Hyundai (Hindustan Vacuum) etc intimated that technology required to manufacture these containers was available with them.

International container inspection agencies like Lloyd Register & Indian Register of Shipping highlighted their Indian presence and intimated that they were already working with some Indian manufacturers to ensure outturn of word-class containers.

Goyal said that seeing the enormous participation in the webinar, he was confident that synergies could be developed between various ministries such as the Food & Public Distribution, Commerce, Railways and the industry at large to ensure development of a substantial container manufacturing base in the country.

Wagon manufacturers, railway production units and workshops and major suppliers of the container manufacture supply chain also participated in the webinar.

Manufacturers such as Braithwaite, BHEL, DCM Hyundai (Hindustan Vacuum Glass), Transafe, Balmer Lawrie and Kalyani Cast Tech made presentations at the webinar.