Piyush Goyal, Sarbananda Sonowal Review Port Congestion Issues with EXIM Stakeholders
New Delhi:
Port Wings News Network:
In a decisive move to sustain Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and ensure uninterrupted trade operations amid emerging supply chain interruptions owing to trailer driver shortage issues at CFS, the Government of India has initiated a coordinated “Whole of Government” response to address concerns raised by the EXIM community.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held a high-level meeting with representatives of the All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association to review the evolving situation and discuss immediate and long-term measures to ease operational bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.
The meeting focused on container congestion arising out of the CFS trailer driver shortage which led to delays in evacuation of 25000 containers of import cargo.
Responding swiftly to the situation, JNPA implemented a series of operational interventions to decongest terminals and expedite cargo evacuation. Containers were evacuated through rail movement even to nearby Container Freight Stations (CFSs) equipped with railway sidings, while simultaneous scanning of double containers was introduced to reduce processing time.
Sarbananda Sonowal said: “Held a highly productive meeting with my colleague Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal ji to address the challenges emerging from the shortage of trailer driver at CFS and to ensure seamless trade facilitation for the trading community. Guided by a Whole of Government approach, we are taking coordinated and proactive measures across ports and logistics systems to sustain Ease of Doing Business, strengthen supply chain resilience and build a globally competitive maritime ecosystem in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.”
To provide relief to trade stakeholders, Intern-Terminal Railway Handling Operation (ITRHO) charges and Change of Mode of Transport charges were waived. Port terminals also extended waivers and discounts on ground rent charges on a case-to-case basis.
Dedicated green channels for empty trailers were established across terminals to facilitate faster turnaround. In another major initiative, leading CFS operators pooled nearly 100 trailers to lift entire container stacks, enabling the evacuation of long-pending and buried containers from congested yards.
These coordinated efforts have significantly improved yard management, reducing the number of containers lying at terminals for more than 14 days. Further, efforts are on to allow importers direct access to port terminal yards to pick up the containers and matching export trailers with import containers from the port.
“In line with the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the Government is committed to building a resilient, efficient and future-ready trade and logistics ecosystem. We are resolved to take swift, coordinated measures to protect the interests of the EXIM community. Guided by the ‘Whole of Government’ approach envisioned by PM Modi ji, we are working to strengthen supply chains, keep our trade interests globally competitive and sustain EODB of our economy,” added Sonowal.
As part of a long-term resilience strategy, JNPA has also outlined a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen logistics preparedness and future cargo handling capabilities. The measures include intensified efforts by CFS operators and transporters to increase driver availability, enhanced cargo evacuation through railways, and engagement with motor driving training schools to build a larger pool of trained trailer drivers.
The port authority is also planning a gradual transition to electric vehicles to improve operational sustainability and driver comfort. In addition, a Truck Appointment System is being introduced to reduce congestion at terminal gates, while terminals are being encouraged to deploy additional handling equipment to support rising cargo volumes.
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