BHAVNAGAR: Bhavnagar is quickly transforming into a manufacturing hub for shipping containers. While one manufacturer of the city has won a bid to supply 10,000 shipping containers in a year to the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), another firm is in the advanced stage of manufacturing containers. Besides, six more manufacturers are working on plans to start Container Manufacturing in the near future.

In fact there was a huge shortage of containers after Covid relaxation last year all over the world and this had resulted in pushing container freights. China is a major manufacturer of shipping containers in the international market.

The Shipping Ministry has decided to create a cluster of container manufacturers in Bhavnagar and extend all support. A committee to resolve the issues of manufacturers has been formed and it comprises bureaucrats, members of National Shipping Board and of Saurashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

Mr. Kirit Soni, Member of this Committee and Former President of SCCI, said: “This is the first step of our success but there are many challenges. To make Bhavnagar a container manufacturing cluster, the government needs to announce a production-linked incentive scheme for the first few years. The raw material, corten steel, should be made available easily and its price should remain in control because 

we have to compete in the international market.”

Mr. Rahul Modi, member of National Shipping Board and a Committee Member, said: 

“I am looking for more industries to start manufacturing shipping containers as soon as possible. We are optimistic looking at the developments in Bhavnagar.”