90% of cargo backlog cleared after Hormuz disruption: government
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Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday that major Indian ports have cleared nearly 90% of cargo backlogs caused by the disruption to shipping routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking after a high-level review meeting, Sonowal said normal operations had largely been restored through coordinated government intervention and continuous monitoring.
According to officials, major ports including Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority, and Mumbai Port have largely cleared cargo stranded because of war-related shipping disruptions.
The ministry said the recovery was made possible by increased yard capacity, coordinated logistics planning, and new operational measures introduced at the ports.
Sonowal directed the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure transparency in shipping-related charges and warned against profiteering during the disruption.
“This crisis must not become an opportunity for profiteering. All charges must be clearly documented and monitored to protect trade interests,” he said.
The minister also instructed port authorities to ensure that relief measures announced by the ministry, including waivers on ground rent and concessions on refrigerated container charges, are passed on directly to stakeholders without delay.
The review meeting also examined grievance redressal systems at ports, with Sonowal directing officials to strengthen them to ensure quicker resolution of complaints during future disruptions.
Sonowal said the government would continue to take steps to protect India’s maritime trade and supply chains from geopolitical disruptions.
