Guwahati: Amid escalating geopolitical tension in West Asia, the ports & shipping and waterways ministry has directed India’s major ports to immediately implement an SOP that prioritises smooth cargo movement.The SoP mandates the ports to permit storage of West Asia-bound cargo as transhipment, allot additional storage areas if required, and facilitate berthing of ad hoc vessels dropping or picking up consignments during the crisis period and priority clearance for exports returning from West Asia, and daily reporting to the ministry.
“The ministry of port, shipping and waterways has carried out consultation with all stakeholders and decided to implement measures to mitigate the impact of geopolitical disturbance,” the letter with the SOP sent by the ministry to chairpersons of all major ports and maritime states and UT stated.Minister Sarbananda Sonowal informed that all 35 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region are being continuously tracked and all these Indian-flagged ships continue to remain safe and no confirmed detention, boarding or casualty has been reported.Twenty-four of these Indian-flagged vessels are in the west of the Strait of Hormuz and 11 in east of the Strait including the Gulf of Oman and adjoining areas. Additionally, three other vessels are in the Gulf of Aden that connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.The guidelines mandate all the major ports to appoint a 24×7 nodal officer, who will act as the single point of contact for all issues, ensuring decisions are implemented within 24 hours, while matters involving other agencies — such as customs notifications or bonding of new storage areas — must be resolved within 72 hours.These ports have been asked to expedite “back to town” movement of export cargo lying in port premises, coordinate closely with customs, and provide priority handling for perishable goods. Additional bunkering capacity may also be created to meet rising demand.The SOP also empowers ports to consider waivers or reductions in charges — including reefer plugging fees, storage rent and vessel change charges — depending on prevailing circumstances.The SOP, effective immediately since Friday, will remain in force until withdrawn or modified. The ministry has stressed that daily action taken reports must be submitted to Delhi, ensuring close monitoring of the evolving situation.India’s major ports handle a significant share of cargo bound for the West Asia, including petroleum products, perishables and manufactured goods. The SOP is expected to provide a structured response mechanism at a time when global supply chains are under strain.India’s major ports handle a significant share of cargo bound to and from West Asia, including petroleum products, perishables and manufactured goods. With supply chains already strained, the structured response mechanism is expected to reassure exporters and shipping lines of swift redressal.
