The Government of India announced a major revival plan for the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), including the acquisition of over 200 merchant ships through PSU joint ventures funded by the Maritime Development Fund. This marks a significant shift away from the earlier privatization plan for SCI.

A key initiative is the creation of Bharat Shipping Line, a joint venture of SCI and CONCOR, to buy 20 new container ships, reviving India's container fleet. SCI plans to incorporate a joint venture by December 2025 and acquire 59 vessels over the next five years, with expected investment of ₹10,000-15,000 crore. The revival reflects post-COVID recognition of supply chain vulnerabilities and aligns with global trends of strategic state intervention in critical maritime sectors. India's merchant fleet had declined sharply after 1990s liberalization policies.