**Executive Summary**
On March 19, 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review meeting in Mumbai to address global shipping disruptions and ensure supply chain resilience amid tensions in the Middle East. The meeting highlighted strategic adaptations by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), including the formation of a specialized task force and the implementation of trade facilitation measures. Key outcomes involve significant financial waivers on storage and plug-in charges effective through mid-March 2026 to minimize delays for export-import cargo.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Adaptation and Monitoring**
* The Ministry is conducting real-time monitoring and coordination with stakeholders to handle diverted vessels and maintain seamless cargo movement.
* Focus remains on safeguarding maritime trade and providing humanitarian assistance to international crews during geopolitical uncertainties.
* India’s ports are positioned as dependable trade partners through efficient handling of western coast vessel diversions.
**Operational Facilitation at JNPA**
* A dedicated task force comprising members from the DGFT, Customs, and JNPA has been established to manage trade disruptions.
* The port has allocated additional storage areas and temporary transshipment facilities specifically for Middle East-bound cargo.
* Ad-hoc vessel calls have been facilitated to move cargo to regional ports such as Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Sohar, Muscat, and Salalah.
* Priority handling protocols are in place for perishable goods and export cargo returning from the Middle East.
**Customs and Regulatory Relief**
* Customs authorities have enabled Back-to-Town (BTT) movement for export cargo even if the Export General Manifest (EGM) has not been filed.
* Detailed physical examinations have been waived in favor of e-seal verification for containers at CPP or limited inspections at Container Freight Stations.
* All BTT-related fees and penalties have been waived to expedite cargo processing.
**Financial Incentives and Waivers**
* A 100% waiver on ground rent and dwell time charges was implemented for eligible containers from February 28 to March 14, 2026.
* An 80% waiver is provided for reefer plug-in charges for stranded containers carrying perishable cargo.
* Vessels waiting for transit to the Middle East are granted free anchorage.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shipping Lines and Terminal Operators**
**Impact**
Benefit from improved vessel clearance at anchorage (reduced from 9 to 4 vessels) and the availability of ad-hoc vessel calls to alternative Middle East destinations.
**Action Required**
Coordinate vessel schedules with the JNPA task force and utilize the free anchorage provisions for transit delays.
**Export-Import (EXIM) Traders**
**Impact**
Reduced operational costs due to waivers on ground rent and reefer charges, alongside faster cargo movement through simplified Customs verifications.
**Action Required**
Ensure container seals remain intact to qualify for e-seal verification and process returning export cargo under the new BTT facilitation measures.
**Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)**
**Impact**
Currently managing approximately 25,000 TEUs of transshipment containers with a 50% utilization of total holding space.
**Action Required**
Continue to manage the multi-product SEZ and the five container terminals to maintain the reduction of stranded containers, which fell from 5,000 TEUs to 2,500 TEUs in early March.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central government body responsible for overseeing the strategic response and coordination to safeguard India's maritime trade against global shipping disruptions.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA): India’s largest container port and the primary entity implementing trade facilitation measures, such as rent waivers and transshipment storage, to handle cargo diversions.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who chaired the review and directed the strategic adaptation of port operations to maintain supply chain resilience.
Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH): The customs authority responsible for implementing critical procedural relaxations, including Bonded Trucking (BTT) movement permissions and examination waivers for export cargo.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal chairs
Review and Consultation Meeting with Port and
Maritime Stakeholders
Meeting focuses on strategic adaptation to the evolving
dynamics of global shipping
Posted On: 19 MAR 2026 7:38PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 19 March 2026
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, chaired a review
and consultation meeting with port and maritime stakeholders on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in
Mumbai. The meeting focused on strategic adaptation to the evolving dynamics of global
shipping.
The meeting brought together representatives from shipping lines, terminal operators, and trade
bodies to deliberate on emerging challenges, including potential disruptions in shipping routes,
vessel schedules, and cargo flows. Discussions focused on ensuring continuity of operations,
minimizing delays, and maintaining supply chain resilience.
Stakeholders shared on-ground insights and highlighted the measures being undertaken to
manage evolving conditions, particularly with respect to export-import cargo movements to and
from Middle East destinations.In his address, the Union Minister for Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal,
stated,“Under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the
Government of India and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways have taken swift and
coordinated measures to safeguard the nation’s maritime trade amid the evolving situation in
the Middle East. Our ports have demonstrated resilience and capability in responding to
emerging challenges—whether through efficient handling of diverted vessels along the western
coast, humanitarian assistance extended to international crew, or proactive trade facilitation
measures implemented at key ports such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.”
He further added,“We remain in constant coordination with all stakeholders, ensuring real-time
monitoring, seamless cargo movement, and minimal disruption to supply chains. India’s
maritime sector continues to stand strong, responsive, and fully equipped to handle global
uncertainties while supporting the nation’s economic momentum.”
India has sought to reassure global markets that its maritime trade remains stable and resilient
despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Backed by strong infrastructure and coordinated
efforts, the country’s ports continue to operate efficiently, positioning India as a dependable
trade partner amid evolving global uncertainties.
Gaurav Dayal, Chairperson, JNPA, along with Ravish Kumar Singh, highlighted the initiatives
taken by JNPA over the last 20 days and how those measures are proving effective.
JNPA first constituted a task force comprising the Joint DGFT, Additional Commissioner Customs,
CGM (Traffic) JNPA, and Deputy Nautical Advisor for coordination and communication related to
trade disruptions arising from the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
JNPA has implemented several facilitation measures, including temporary transshipment storage
for Middle East-bound cargo; allocation of additional storage areas at terminals where required;
facilitation of ad-hoc vessel calls for moving Middle East cargo to ports such as Fujairah and
Khor Fakkan in the UAE and Sohar, Muscat, and Salalah in Oman; and priority handling for
perishable cargo and export cargo returning from the Middle East.
An important facilitation measure has been taken by Customs authorities at JNCH, enabling BTT
movement of export cargo even in cases where the Export General Manifest (EGM) has not been
filed. Where container seals are intact, permission will be granted after basic verification.
Containers at CPP require only e-seal verification, while those at Container Freight Stations
undergo limited inspection linked to the shipping bill. The usual detailed physical examination
has been waived, and any BTT-related fees or penalties have also been waived.
Further, JNPA has facilitated 100% waiver on ground rent/dwell time charges for up to 15 days
(February 28 to March 14) for eligible containers, along with 80% waiver on reefer plug-in
charges for stranded reefer containers carrying perishable cargo. This is in addition to freeanchorage for vessels waiting for transit to the Middle East.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority currently has adequate storage capacity available, with only
around 50% of the port’s container holding space presently occupied.
Over the past 20 days, approximately 16,000 TEUs containers have been dispatched from the
port to Middle East destinations, and around 1,700 TEUs have been taken back to town. During
this period, the number of vessels at anchorage has significantly reduced from 9 to 4, indicating
improved vessel clearance and operational efficiency. As of March 18, there are approximately
25,000 TEUs of transshipment containers unloaded for temporary storage at the port. The
number of stranded containers has reduced from around 5,000 TEUs on March 1 to nearly 2,500
TEUs, while perishable export cargo has reduced from around 2,000 TEUs to approximately 800
TEUs as of March 16.
About Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, commissioned in 1989, is India’s largest container port and a
key gateway for the country’s international trade. The port operates five container terminals and
handles a significant share of India’s containerised EXIM cargo. JNPA also manages a multi-
product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aimed at boosting export-led industrial growth.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMu
mbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2242690) Visitor Counter : 33
Read this release in: Marathi