Indian Exporters to Receive $1.4 Million Relief on Stuck Cargo at JNPA

Indian exporters whose cargo has been stranded at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) due to the ongoing West Asia crisis are set to receive financial relief worth about $1.4 million (₹12 crore) after the port announced a series of fee waivers and rebates.

JNPA, one of India’s largest container ports located near Mumbai, said it will waive ground rent and dwell time charges and provide rebates on reefer container plug-in fees to reduce the financial burden on exporters affected by disruptions in shipping routes linked to the conflict in West Asia.

According to government and industry sources, exporters could save around $1,200 (₹100,000) per container due to the relief measures.

Waiver on Storage and Handling Charges

The port authority has instructed container terminal operators to grant a 100% rebate on ground rent and dwell time charges for up to 15 days for export containers destined for West Asia.

The waiver applies to export-laden containers that were already inside the terminal by February 28, 2026, or those that had entered the port before 7:00 a.m. on March 8.

The relief period covers February 28 midnight to March 14 midnight, the authority said.

Relief for Refrigerated Cargo

In addition, JNPA has ordered terminal operators to waive 80% of reefer plug-in charges for refrigerated export containers bound for West Asian markets.

These concessions will also apply for 15 days during the same February 28–March 14 window, provided the containers were already inside the terminals before February 28 or entered before the March 8 deadline.

Reefer containers are commonly used to transport perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and food products, which are particularly vulnerable to delays.

Shipping Lines Urged to Pass Benefits to Exporters

JNPA has called on shipping companies to ensure that the benefits from the port’s relief measures are passed on to exporters and end customers.

“These benefits should ultimately reach exporters who are facing the cost pressures caused by the current geopolitical situation,” the port authority said.

The port has also allowed the temporary storage of export containers destined for West Asia at JNPA terminals, even if they originated from other locations, treating them as transshipment cargo.

Government Warns Against Excessive Shipping Charges

Meanwhile, India’s Directorate General of Shipping has warned shipping lines against imposing excessive surcharges on exporters during the crisis.

The regulator has advised carriers to avoid predatory pricing and non-transparent charges, particularly fees that exploit the ongoing geopolitical disruptions affecting maritime trade.

Shipping companies have been asked to maintain fair trade practices and clearly communicate all applicable charges to exporters, importers, and other stakeholders.

Cargo Worth $41 Million Stuck at Ports

Separately, the Indian government informed Parliament that export cargo worth about $41 million (₹345 crore) destined for Iran is currently stranded at Kandla and Mundra ports due to disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said the crisis has disrupted shipping services and port operations, affecting cargo movement and export schedules.

The relief measures introduced by JNPA aim to ease financial pressure on exporters while global shipping routes remain unstable due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.