The government has asked all shipping companies not to collect any detention charges on export-import (EXIM) cargo in the wake of the situation arising due to coronavirus outbreak. They will not levy any container detainment charges on import and export shipments till April 14.
The decision was taken after delays were reported in the evacuation of goods from ports due to disturbance in the downstream services.
As per an Advisory by Directorate General of Shipping “In order to maintain proper supply lines at the Indian seaports the shipping lines are advised not to impose any container detainment charge on import and export shipments for the period from March 22, 2020, to April 14, 2020 (both days inclusive)”.
During this period, shipping lines are also advised not to impose any new or additional charges.
Due to delays in the evacuation of cargo, some cargo owners have either suspended their operations or are finding it difficult to transport goods or complete the paperwork.
India has 12 major ports — Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, VO Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata including Haldia– which handle approximately 61 per cent of the country’s total cargo traffic.