US–Israel–Iran Conflict Leaves 1,000 Reefer Boxes of Indian Perishables Stranded at JNPA

Escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has left roughly 1,000 export containers of Indian perishables stranded at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), prompting warnings of heavy losses from farm exporters and logistics players.

Port and trade sources said the pile-up includes close to 1,000 refrigerated units carrying onions, grapes, bananas and other fresh and frozen food products bound for Gulf markets via hubs such as Dubai, as well as direct consignments to Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With services to the Middle East disrupted and the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut, container lines have either suspended sailings or are declining new bookings on these routes, forcing cargo to sit at the terminal as storage and power costs mount.

Exporters fear that, if the situation does not ease soon, they may have to divert cargo to the domestic market at distressed prices, particularly for onions and table grapes at the peak of the export season. The JNPA authority has said it is working with terminals to cap or control certain charges and maintain operations, but industry bodies are pressing the Centre for urgent intervention on routing options, freight and insurance support to prevent large‑scale spoilage and farmer losses.