Jindal Stainless has partnered with Indian Railways to develop India’s first corrosion-resistant stainless steel container for salt transportation, marking a significant step toward more durable and sustainable freight logistics. The prototype successfully completed loading and unloading trials at Bhimasar, Gandhidham, Gujarat on February 10, 2026, indicating potential for commercial adoption.

The 20-foot container has been fully fabricated using stainless steel, including all structural and load-bearing components. The company used stainless steel 304 grade for the container body due to its superior corrosion resistance in chloride-rich environments, while JT Grade (N7 as per BIS 6911), known for high strength and weight optimisation, was used for stiffeners and underframe components.

Stainless steel containers offer major advantages over conventional materials, including a longer lifespan of over 15–20 years—about six to seven times longer—and significantly lower maintenance costs. Each container has a tare weight of 3 metric tonnes and a payload capacity of 33 metric tonnes. A full rake of 48 wagons carrying 96 such containers can transport around 3,300 metric tonnes of salt, reducing dependence on road transport and lowering carbon emissions.

The containers also eliminate the need for tarpaulin covers, preventing contamination and reducing wastage. Their corrosion-resistant properties, combined with mechanised loading and unloading, improve operational efficiency and reduce overall lifecycle costs.

The prototype was fabricated by Kalyani Cast Tech Private Limited in accordance with Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) specifications. This initiative aligns with Jindal Stainless’ focus on delivering sustainable logistics solutions and supporting the government’s Make in India vision.