AN inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, has been held to tackle the pressing issue of rising freight costs, shipping delays, container shortages, and port congestion affecting exporters, reported Delhi-area DevDiscourse.
The meeting saw participation from key ministries including Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Railways, Civil Aviation, and Finance, along with various stakeholders such as exporters, shippers, and shipping lines.
Key decisions and announcements included revising container storage and handling fees. The Corporation of India (CONCOR) will empty containers can now be stored free of charge for up to 90 days at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
Additionally, handling charges have been substantially reduced, with storage fees per FEU cut from INR9,000 (US$108) to INR2,000, and TEUs from INR6,000 to INR1,000.
Railway Board chairman and CEO Shri Satish Kumar confirmed a reduction in the charge for storing containers beyond the 90-day period, from INR3,000 to INR1,500.
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is set to charter containerships to increase container capacity by 9,000 TEU immediately. SCI will also purchase five additional container ships to further enhance cargo handling capabilities. All associated charges will now be included in the delivery order to streamline costs for shippers.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, represented by Secretary Shri TK Ramachandran, reported an increase in port capacities by 2.3 million TEU.
Private container yards are now required to register with GST authorities and must cease accepting cash payments to combat illegal profiteering.
JNPT chairman Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh outlined measures to eliminate port congestion, including minimizing traffic delays and implementing simultaneous container scanning to expedite clearances and reduce turnaround times.
In air cargo and customs processing, the Civil Aviation Secretary committed to accelerating air cargo movement and reducing turnover times.
Revenue Secretary Shri Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will expedite customs clearances by screening two TEU simultaneously.
SeaNews Turkey
The meeting saw participation from key ministries including Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Railways, Civil Aviation, and Finance, along with various stakeholders such as exporters, shippers, and shipping lines.
Key decisions and announcements included revising container storage and handling fees. The Corporation of India (CONCOR) will empty containers can now be stored free of charge for up to 90 days at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).
Additionally, handling charges have been substantially reduced, with storage fees per FEU cut from INR9,000 (US$108) to INR2,000, and TEUs from INR6,000 to INR1,000.
Railway Board chairman and CEO Shri Satish Kumar confirmed a reduction in the charge for storing containers beyond the 90-day period, from INR3,000 to INR1,500.
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is set to charter containerships to increase container capacity by 9,000 TEU immediately. SCI will also purchase five additional container ships to further enhance cargo handling capabilities. All associated charges will now be included in the delivery order to streamline costs for shippers.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, represented by Secretary Shri TK Ramachandran, reported an increase in port capacities by 2.3 million TEU.
Private container yards are now required to register with GST authorities and must cease accepting cash payments to combat illegal profiteering.
JNPT chairman Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh outlined measures to eliminate port congestion, including minimizing traffic delays and implementing simultaneous container scanning to expedite clearances and reduce turnaround times.
In air cargo and customs processing, the Civil Aviation Secretary committed to accelerating air cargo movement and reducing turnover times.
Revenue Secretary Shri Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will expedite customs clearances by screening two TEU simultaneously.
SeaNews Turkey