**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal conducted a high-level review on April 10, 2026, announcing that 90% of the cargo backlog at major ports has been cleared following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The review focused on restoring trade normalcy, implementing financial relief for stakeholders, and ensuring transparency to prevent profiteering. Port authorities have been directed to immediately pass on cost concessions and strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Recovery**
* Successful clearance of nearly 90% of cargo backlog across major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority, and Mumbai Port.
* Stabilisation of port operations following geopolitical disruptions in West Asia that had impacted vessel traffic.
* Implementation of innovative operational measures, enhanced yard capacity, and coordinated logistics planning to address stranded cargo.
**Financial Relief and Transparency**
* Ministry-announced financial relief measures include waivers on ground rent and concessions on reefer charges.
* Direct instruction to port authorities to eliminate procedural bottlenecks so relief reaches stakeholders without delay.
* The Directorate General of Shipping is mandated to ensure complete transparency in shipping-related charges to protect trade interests.
* Strict warning issued against profiteering; all charges must be clearly documented and monitored.
**Systemic Improvements**
* Directive to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms at ports for the swift resolution of stakeholder concerns during disruptions.
* Commitment from the Ministry to maintain continuous monitoring and a state of readiness for future global uncertainties.
**Impact Analysis**
**Port Authorities**
**Impact**
Responsible for managing the operational surge and implementing government-mandated concessions.
**Action Required**
Must ensure financial waivers are passed directly to stakeholders and strengthen internal grievance redressal systems.
**Exporters, Importers, and Logistics Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Affected by previous cargo delays but now benefiting from cleared backlogs and reduced operational costs.
**Action Required**
Avail themselves of ground rent waivers and reefer concessions while utilizing official channels to report concerns.
**Directorate General (DG) of Shipping**
**Impact**
Appointed as the regulatory monitor for shipping costs during the crisis recovery period.
**Action Required**
Must document and monitor all shipping-related charges to ensure transparency and prevent profiteering.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW): The primary government body responsible for managing Indian port operations and responding to geopolitical trade disruptions.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who directed the clearance of cargo backlogs and mandated financial relief for trade stakeholders.
Financial relief measures: Initiatives announced by the Ministry including waivers on ground rent and concessions on reefer charges to support exporters and importers.
Directorate General of Shipping: The regulator instructed by the Minister to ensure transparency in shipping charges and prevent profiteering during maritime crises.
Major Indian Ports: Locations including Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority, and Mumbai Port where cargo backlogs were cleared.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Port Operations;
Timely Intervention Clears 90% Cargo Backlog
Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
Swift Government Action Restores Port Operations,
Minimises Trade Disruption
Minister Directs Relief to Stakeholders, Warns Against
Profiteering
Posted On: 10 APR 2026 8:20PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal said that timely
intervention and continuous monitoring by the Ministry has led to the clearance of nearly 90% of backlog
cargo across major ports, restoring normalcy in operations impacted by geopolitical disruptions in the
Strait of Hormuz.
Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials and port authorities, the minister noted that the
evolving situation in West Asia had initially disrupted cargo movement and vessel traffic, but coordinated
and proactive measures ensured rapid stabilisation of port operations with minimal impact on trade.
“We acted swiftly and in a coordinated manner to address emerging challenges. Continuous monitoring
and timely intervention have helped us regularise port operations and clear the backlog efficiently,
ensuring that India’s trade remains resilient,” Sonowal said.
The minister reviewed port-wise operational status and expressed satisfaction over the significant
improvement, acknowledging the efforts of port employees and authorities in preventing congestion
during a critical period. He commended their commitment to maintaining seamless operations despite
global uncertainties.
Sonowal emphasised that the Modi Government’s priority was not only operational continuity but also
safeguarding the interests of exporters, importers and logistics stakeholders. The Minister directed all port
authorities to ensure that financial relief measures announced by the Ministry — including waivers on
ground rent and concessions on reefer charges — are passed on directly to stakeholders without delay or
procedural bottlenecks.
In a strong message to the sector, the minister instructed the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure
complete transparency in shipping-related charges. “This crisis must not become an opportunity for
profiteering. All charges must be clearly documented and monitored to protect trade interests,” Sonowal
said.The review also covered the functioning of grievance redressal mechanisms at ports, with Sonowal
directing officials to strengthen systems to ensure swift resolution of stakeholder concerns during such
disruptions.
Officials informed that major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port Authority, New
Mangalore Port Authority and Mumbai Port, have largely cleared cargo which got stranded because of a
war related disruption in shipping. Innovative operational measures, enhanced yard capacity and
coordinated logistics planning played a crucial role in addressing the backlog.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the minister said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways will continue close monitoring and maintain a state of readiness to respond to any further
developments.
“Our approach has been proactive, responsive and stakeholder-focused. We will continue to ensure that
India’s maritime sector remains robust and efficient, even in the face of global challenges. Under the
strong leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, we remain committed to protect our trade interests by all
means possible and ensure our supply chain remains sustainable without getting affected by geopolitical
situations,” Sonowal added.***
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