JNPA Grants Relief Measures for Middle East–Bound Export Containers
Mumbai:
Port Wings News Network:
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s largest container port, on 10 March 2026 has issued a trade notice for immediate compliance by all concerned, to mitigate the hardships faced by port users due to the ongoing geopolitical disturbances in the Middle East.
In line with the directives of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), JNPA is extending support to the EXIM community to help mitigate the impact of the ongoing crisis. The port has announced a waiver on charges such as ground rent and reefer plug-in fees for stranded export containers.
In addition to the measures already undertaken by JNPA, such as the BTT initiative and the temporary transshipment facility, JNPA, in coordination with its terminal operators, has decided to implement the following additional measures to ease the burden on exporters whose cargo bound for ports and terminals in the Middle East has been affected by the recent geopolitical disturbances:
1. All Terminal Operators shall give 100% waiver on ground rent / dwell time charges up to 15 days (from 0000 hours on 28 Feb 2026 up to 2400 hours on 14 March 2026) for containers which were lying inside the Terminals from 28February 2026 or those which had gated in till 0700 hours on 08 March 2026.
2. All Terminal operators shall waive 80% of the reefer plugin charges up to 15 days (from 0000 hours on 28 Feb 2026 till 2400 hours on 14 March 2026) to those stranded reefer containers loaded with perishable goods, which were lying inside from 28 February 2026 or those which had gated in till 0700 hours on 08 March 2026 only.
3. The shipping lines, NVOCC, Freight Forwarders are directed to ensure that these benefits are passed on to the actual exporters.
Commenting on the developments, Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Chairperson, JNPA, said, “JNPA stands firmly with the EXIM community in navigating the challenges arising from the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Our priority is to mitigate the impact on exporters and ensure continuity of trade, while ensuring that no single industry or community bears an undue financial burden. We will continue to explore additional measures to facilitate trade and support the EXIM ecosystem.”
Exporters and trade stakeholders are advised to coordinate with their respective terminal operators and shipping lines for availing the above relief measures. JNPA will continue to review the situation and take further steps, if required, in the interest of the trade.
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