Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) said traffic at its terminal gates has returned to normal following a sharp surge in export cargo and the bunching of more than 15 container vessels over the weekend.
The port, in an update issued from Navi Mumbai on October 6, 2026, said the temporary increase in traffic resulted in queues and slight delays in the movement of container trailers. Operations returned to normal from the morning of October 4.
Export cargo surge caused temporary queues
Export cargo for more than 15 vessels reached the terminal gates at around the same time on October 2 and 3. The resulting concentration of truck movements temporarily affected entry and exit operations.
JNPA and terminal operators introduced additional measures in coordination with stakeholders, including container freight stations (CFSs) and local traffic authorities. JNPA said there is currently no congestion at any terminal gate.
Port handles elevated container volumes
Quay-side handling increased to 35,307 TEUs on October 4 and 32,972 TEUs on October 5, significantly above the port’s usual daily average. Between 16 and 17 container vessels were berthed and handled simultaneously during the peak weekend operations.
Terminal gate movements reached 21,796 TEUs, involving 18,391 trucks, on October 2 and 20,684 TEUs, involving 17,535 trucks, on October 3. Following enhanced gate automation and additional deployment, movements declined to 19,294 TEUs involving 16,332 trucks on October 4 and 16,972 TEUs involving 15,045 trucks on October 5.
JNPA said the average truck turnaround time across the port currently stands at 1.47 hours.
Yard inventory and CFS pendency decline
Yard inventory also reduced significantly after the weekend surge. It fell from a peak of 120,173 TEUs, representing 66.89% occupancy, on October 2 to 94,519 TEUs, or 52.61% occupancy, by October 6.
Coordination with CFS operators also helped reduce import pendency. The volume declined from 22,622 TEUs on October 4 to 15,770 TEUs by the morning of October 6.
JNPA assures smooth port operations
JNPA said port operations and terminal gates are functioning smoothly, supported by 24/7 real-time monitoring. The authority added that approach corridors and entry gates are currently clear and free-flowing.
The latest disruption followed a record month for the port. JNPA handled 831,956 TEUs in August, its highest monthly container throughput. In September, the port also gained direct freight connectivity through the completion of the final leg of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
