Rajkot: The West Asia conflict has precipitated a severe fuel crisis, prompting the Kandla-Mundra Container Transport Welfare Association (KMCTWA) to announce a 20% increase in freight charges from Tuesday.The increase follows higher bulk diesel prices and shortages that threaten to disrupt export-import logistics in Gujarat and across the country. KMCTWA, which represents over 10,000 container trucks operating between Kandla, Mundra and various parts of India, issued a trade notice on Monday. “This is to inform that, due to the ongoing Middle East war crisis, diesel supply availability is limited at retail sales pumps, resulting in severe difficulties being faced by transporters,” the notice stated. The association said the Union govt has increased industrial diesel prices to Rs 112 per litre. Transporters, who usually buy diesel in bulk, now face sharply higher costs. Bhagirathsinh Jadeja, president of KMCTWA, told TOI, “We don’t get enough diesel at petrol pumps, and there are wait times of six or seven hours due to long queues. The bulk diesel price of public sector companies is Rs 112 per litre, while private sector companies charge Rs 121. We have no option but to increase freight rates.” KMCTWA also noted that tyre manufacturers and spare parts dealers have increased prices by 3% to 4%, adding to the transporters’ burden. The trade notice further states: “In the given circumstances, KMCTWA hereby informs that the prevailing transportation rates stand increased by 20% for all destinations with effect from Tuesday, that also for 24 hours upfront payments basis, as all ancillary supplies are available in this mode only.” Experts say the freight increase will have a cascading effect on domestic commodity prices, with goods such as edible oils, fertilisers, coal, chemicals and plastics likely to get costlier due to higher logistics expenses. KMCTWA said the increase is temporary and will be rolled back once diesel supplies stabilize.
