Around 5,000 containers a day are being held up at Mundra port amid a strike by empty-container yard operators, disrupting import and export movement, according to estimates by Mundra Customs Brokers’ Association (MCBA).
The Mundra Empty Container Yards & Allied Services Provider Association (MECYASA) suspended operations from Friday last week, opposing a move by Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) to freeze empty-yard codes located outside the port limits from September 1. The move would require shipping lines to nominate empty containers to designated yards within the Mundra SEZ.
The disruption has affected the return of empty import containers and availability of empty containers for factory-stuffing of export cargo. Shipping lines MSC and Ocean Network Express have issued advisories warning customers about the situation.
MCBA secretary Manoj Kotak said the EXIM trade should not be made to bear additional costs arising from the disruption, adding that the EXIM trade has neither caused this disruption nor possesses the authority to resolve it. MCBA has asked shipping lines to provide alternative nominated locations, extend delivery orders and related permissions without charges, and bear additional costs arising from the disruption. It has also advised importers, exporters and customs brokers to document failed attempts to return containers and preserve records.
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) has sought Directorate General of Shipping intervention, citing stranded vehicles, missed vessel cut-offs, shipment rollovers, detention charges and additional handling and transportation costs. Shipping lines have advised customers to review export plans and make alternative arrangements to avoid delays.
