JNPA Extends Waivers on Stranded West Asia Exports till Mid-March

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is providing 100% waiver on ground rent and dwell-time charges for up to 15 days on West Asia-bound export containers stranded amid regional geopolitical tensions, effective from February 28 to March 14, 2026.

Terminal operators across NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT, and GTI-APM will also slash reefer plug-in charges by 80% for perishable cargo during the period, following Ministry of Ports directives. JNPA has allocated extra yard space for temporary storage of these laden containers, coordinating with customs for transshipments from other Indian ports.

Exporters had raised alarms over mounting demurrage and reefer costs as thousands of TEUs piled up due to disrupted shipping services in the Iran-hit region, with CNBC-TV18 first flagging the issue. The port mandates shipping lines, NVOCCs, and forwarders to pass waivers directly to shippers, easing cash flow strains.

This builds on earlier relief at JNPA and underscores government efforts to shield trade from West Asia conflict fallout, even as FIEO warns of potential $7-8 billion export losses if disruptions persist.