Ports have been asked to allot additional storage area if required for storing such cargo during the conflict period.
The move is expected to help global shipping lines which have decided to abandon their sailings to Strait of Hormuz and offload containers at available ports.
The Ministry on Friday issued a standard operating procedure for ports to handle the situation and mitigate the impact caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Ports have been asked to allot additional storage area if required for storing such cargo during the conflict period. They have also been instructed to facilitate berthing of ad-hoc vessels for pick up and drop of transshipment cargo bound for Middle East.
Instructions have also been issued to ports to provide priority handling for perishables.
“Ports shall co-ordinate closely with relevant agencies such as Customs, Director General of Foreign Trade and other relevant authorities for implementation of the measures,” the Ministry said in its SOP.
“Ports may consider requests from users regarding reduction, waiver or remission ( such as reefer plugging charges, storage rent, change of vessel charges etc) on a case-to-case basis depending upon prevailing circumstances at the port,” it added.
Shipping major Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has declared “end of voyage” for Gulf-bound shipments amid the Iran–Israel conflict.
A spokesperson for German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is forcing carriers to identify multiple alternative locations. “Some ports are closed or cannot be reached. Different ports need to be identified to store these containers until they can be transported to their final destinations,” the spokesperson said.
Published on March 7, 2026