Port of Mundra<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indian importers and exporters are dealing with considerable cargo delays at Mundra Port, which leads the country\u2019s containerised trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local trade sources have raised serious concerns over the congestion plaguing Mundra\u2019s container terminals over the past few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe terminals at Mundra now seem to be hugely congested and the pendency (backlog) has increased to levels, which is affecting normal movement of boxes between CFSs [container freight stations] and terminals,\u201d the Container Freight Station Association Mundra said in a complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The association also noted: \u201cAll the efforts put in by CFSs are not witnessing any improvement, but are rather finding that the situation is deteriorating further.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A change in the process of issuing port entry permits for freight vehicles by the port authority appears to be the major source of frustration for freight station owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to them, truckers are facing longer waits to move in and out containers due to their inability to secure entry permits promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CFS association explained: \u201cVehicles are stranded on the road for hours together because of this. A corrective measure needs to be discussed with our members and worked out so as to ensure that movement continues without any hassles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The congestion has also left container rail operators piqued, as ICD (inland container depot) volumes represent a significant portion of Mundra\u2019s box trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere has been increased congestion at Mundra Port on account of delays at the port in terms of ability to effectively evacuate import containers in FIFO (first-in, first-out) sequence and on time, despite trains being provided for clearance by container train operators (CTOs),\u201d Association of Container Train Operators (ACTO) said in a trade advisory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to ACTO: \u201cThis has led to restrictions being placed by Indian Railways on double-stack loading in order to speed up train evacuation from the port.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group added: \u201cIt is clearly informed to trade, port and shipping lines that the resultant levy of ground rent charges is not a result of any fault of the CTOs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mundra is Adani Ports\u2019 flagship port entity in India, with five container terminals. The private port saw 7.4 million TEUs in the fiscal year 2023-24, which was 15% higher than Nhava Sheva Port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As volumes expand rapidly, the Adani Group is considering further investment in capacity expansion at Mundra. \u201cWe continue to invest heavily in the business to drive growth, particularly in the logistics segment,\u201d said Adani in a recent statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jenny Daniel, Global Correspondent<\/p>\n\n\n\n