Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia have started affecting India’s export-import cargo movement, with major ports reporting an estimated 2% decline in EXIM cargo volumes amid shipping disruptions and growing uncertainty across global trade routes.
Industry sources said the ongoing instability in the region has impacted vessel schedules, container availability and transit times, particularly on routes connected to the Red Sea, Gulf region and Suez Canal. Shipping lines have increasingly diverted vessels through longer alternative routes to avoid high-risk zones, resulting in higher operational costs and delays in cargo movement.
The slowdown has affected a wide range of commodities, including engineering goods, chemicals, petroleum products, textiles, agricultural exports and consumer merchandise. Exporters and importers are also facing increased freight costs, insurance premiums and longer delivery cycles due to the volatile operating environment.
Major Indian gateways such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mundra Port and other container hubs have witnessed fluctuations in cargo handling as shipping schedules remain uncertain. Logistics companies noted that disruptions in feeder services and vessel rotations have added pressure on port and inland supply chain operations.
Trade and logistics experts warned that prolonged tensions in West Asia could continue to weigh on India’s maritime trade performance and export competitiveness. They stressed the need for diversified shipping routes, stronger logistics resilience and closer coordination between ports, shipping lines and cargo stakeholders to minimise the impact of external disruptions on trade flows.