Indian port authorities, led by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone at Mundra Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority at Nhava Sheva Port, have announced storage fee waivers and tariff concessions for export containers bound for Gulf destinations, as the ongoing West Asia crisis disrupts shipping services.
The move comes after a large number of containers were left stranded at terminals following the suspension and irregularity of ocean services to the Middle East earlier this month. In response, Mundra Port is offering a 15-day waiver on storage charges for export containers held during the disruption window, alongside rebates of up to 80% on reefer plug-in charges for temperature-sensitive cargo.
Additionally, the port has waived several ancillary costs—including lift-on/lift-off, shutout and transportation charges—for exporters opting to retrieve cargo under a “back-to-town” arrangement. The measures are aimed at easing financial pressure and providing flexibility to shippers navigating volatile schedules.
Nhava Sheva (JNPA) has rolled out similar support, offering waivers on ground rent and reefer-related charges for stranded export containers. The port authority said the initiative is part of a broader effort to assist the trade community during the crisis and maintain cargo flow despite disruptions.
These steps follow directives from India’s shipping ministry urging ports to provide coordinated relief to mitigate the impact of geopolitical instability on exporters.
However, while port-side costs are being reduced, exporters continue to face rising ocean freight rates and limited capacity on Middle East routes. Carriers are increasingly routing cargo via alternative hubs such as Oman and the UAE, with inland trucking used for final delivery across Gulf markets.
Overall, the waivers signal a broader industry effort to cushion exporters from escalating logistics costs and maintain trade continuity amid ongoing uncertainty in the region.
