Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is witnessing mounting congestion, forcing several shipping lines to make last-minute terminal changes and revise vessel berthing plans to minimise delays and maintain schedule reliability. Industry sources said heavy yard utilisation, increased container volumes and operational bottlenecks have disrupted normal terminal allocations at India’s largest container gateway.
Shipping carriers and logistics operators reported sudden shifts in terminal calls as congestion levels rose across key container facilities within the port complex. Some vessels were redirected to alternate terminals at short notice due to berth unavailability, longer waiting times and pressure on container evacuation operations.
Freight forwarders said the congestion has resulted in delays in container pickups, longer truck turnaround times and increased pressure on inland logistics networks serving the port. Exporters and importers are also facing challenges related to container dwell times, scheduling uncertainty and additional logistics costs.
The congestion surge comes amid rising cargo volumes, pre-peak season shipment activity and continued pressure on global shipping schedules linked to disruptions in major maritime trade routes. Industry stakeholders noted that vessel bunching and operational adjustments by carriers have further complicated terminal planning at JNPA.
Port and terminal authorities are reportedly working with shipping lines, customs officials and logistics operators to improve container evacuation and optimise yard management. Measures including extended gate operations, faster rail evacuation and coordination with inland container depots are being explored to ease congestion levels.
Analysts said persistent congestion at JNPA could temporarily affect supply chain efficiency for India’s export-import trade, particularly for sectors dependent on time-sensitive cargo movement. However, they expect operational conditions to gradually improve as terminals clear backlogs and vessel schedules stabilise.