The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for Major ports to handle issues arising from the geopolitical disturbance in the West Asia, particularly for containers and vessels linked to West Asia-bound cargo.
As part of the measures, each port has been asked to appoint a nodal officer at the level of Head of Department (HOD) or Deputy HOD who will act as the single point of contact (SPOC) to address issues that arise for consideration at the port. The ministry has also directed port chairpersons to hold periodic meetings with stakeholders to assess the situation and respond to operational challenges.
Under the SOP, the nodal officer will be responsible for taking up matters with the competent authority and ensuring action within 24 to 72 hours. Ports have also been advised to give priority consideration to export cargo returning from the Middle East.
The ministry said ports may consider several operational steps to manage disruptions. These include permitting storage of cargo meant for Gulf destinations, allotting additional storage areas, facilitating the “back to town” movement of cargo meant for the Gulf and prioritising the handling of perishable goods.
Ports have also been asked to facilitate additional bunker capacity, wherever feasible, to meet potential demand.
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The SOP also states that ports may consider requests from users regarding reduction, waiver or remission of charges such as reefer plugging charges, storage rent and change of vessel charges on a case-by-case basis, depending on prevailing circumstances at the port. However, the government has not provided any specific relief for exporters facing additional costs at ports, leaving it to ports to consider such requests.
The ministry said the SOP will apply to Middle East-bound cargo and vessels affected by the ongoing geopolitical crisis in West Asia. Ports have been instructed to submit a daily action taken report to the ministry.
On Friday, March 6, a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Secretary, MoPSW, to review the evolving situation.
Govt said that Indian-flagged ships continue to remain safe and no confirmed detention, boarding or casualty involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported.
It added that All 35 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region (24 west of the Strait of Hormuz and 11 east of the Strait including the Gulf of Oman and adjoining areas) and 03 vessels in the Gulf of Aden are being continuously tracked through the LRIT National Data Centre at hourly intervals, with regular SITREPs being issued.
Shipping companies, vessel operators and Recruitment and Placement Service Licensees (RPSLs) have been advised to exercise caution in crew deployment in sensitive regions, undertake voyage-specific risk assessments and maintain regular communication with seafarers and their families.
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