Indian shipping companies stranded with goods bound for West Asia will get concessions on major port services to trim mounting losses, as maritime traffic to and from the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
The Ministry of Shipping has asked port authorities to evaluate concession applications on a case-by-case basis from operators of ships bound for West Asia, who had to return to Indian ports or were unable to proceed with their shipments due to the war.
Ships bound for West Asia affected by the crisis are being offered an “exemption” from operational services fees. These fees include lower refrigerated delivery fees and storage rent for returning vessels. Refrigerant freight charges refer to the fees charged by port terminals to connect refrigerated containers to a power source to maintain temperature-sensitive goods during storage.
The disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major channel for global maritime trade, has affected not only vital energy supplies to India but also shipments heading abroad.
Among the main assistance being provided is the reclassification of cargo that is unable to continue its journey to the Gulf as “transshipment cargo,” which refers to cargo that is transferred from one mode of transport or ship to another at an intermediate point. This will help ships avoid high costs incurred due to the port not being cleared within the stipulated time, and will also allow them to dock in a different port than the one where they started their voyages.
The Ministry of Shipping has issued standard operating procedures for handling all ships laden with cargo destined for West Asian ports. The official said that requests for exemption or reduction in fees are evaluated based on the conditions prevailing in the ports.
The shipping ministry has appointed a nodal officer at each port to handle Indian ships that have completed their journeys to West Asia, according to the official.
Containers are also allowed to unload cargo at marine terminals without filling the entry bill, but this facility is subject to verification of relevant documents, the official said.
