{"id":114404,"date":"2026-03-07T11:17:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/897833853"},"modified":"2026-03-07T11:17:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:17:04","slug":"govt-asks-ports-to-accommodate-west-asia-bound-cargo-as-shipping-lines-steer-clear-of-gulf-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/07\/govt-asks-ports-to-accommodate-west-asia-bound-cargo-as-shipping-lines-steer-clear-of-gulf-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"Govt asks ports to accommodate West Asia-bound cargo as shipping lines steer clear of Gulf waters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has asked ports to permit storage of cargo destined for West Asia as transshipment cargo.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Instructions have also been issued to ports to provide priority handling for perishables.<\/p>\n

\u201cPorts shall co-ordinate closely with relevant agencies such as Customs, Director General of Foreign Trade and other relevant authorities for implementation of the measures,\u201d the Ministry said in its SOP.<\/p>\n

\u201cPorts 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,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

Shipping major Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has declared \u201cend of voyage\u201d for Gulf-bound shipments amid the Iran\u2013Israel conflict.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is forcing carriers to identify multiple alternative locations. \u201cSome 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,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n