The accident happened on the 4,268-teu Northern Guard (built2008) on Sunday, 100 miles south of Mumbai, the Mumbai Mirror reported.
The dead man was identified as Zheng Qunmeng, 25.
The Norddeutsche Reederei vessel had sent a distress signalto Indian authorities, which sent a coast guard ship to help.
It then headed to anchorage outside Mumbai, where thebody was handed over.