The government reduces freight costs, boosts container availability, and eases shipping delays with new measures, aiding smoother exports.
In an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, the government addressed key issues impacting exporters, including rising freight costs, shipping delays, container shortages, and port congestion.
Several crucial decisions were announced during the meeting. Empty containers can now be stored at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) for 90 days free of charge. The Ministry of Railways also announced a reduction in loading and handling charges, cutting storage fees significantly.
To enhance cargo handling capacity, the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will charter ships, immediately increasing capacity by 9,000 TEUs. Additionally, SCI will purchase five container ships to further support growing cargo demands. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways reported an increase in port capacity by 2.3 million TEUs.
A multidisciplinary help desk will be set up to assist exporters, and traffic delays around JNPA will be minimised to improve export processes. Simultaneous container scanning at JNPA will be implemented for quicker clearances and reduced turnaround time.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation committed to expediting air cargo movement, while the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) promised faster port clearances with simultaneous scanning of two containers.
Exporters, represented by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), expressed satisfaction with the steps taken, noting that they would ease congestion and reduce freight hikes. The government will continue monitoring the situation, with the next review scheduled for October.
Minister Goyal concluded by stating that collective efforts from all departments would result in significant cost reductions, improved container availability, and expedited export consignments.
