Nhava Sheva Port temporarily averts transport strike that threatened rising cargo flows

The move follows last-minute intervention by the port leadership and other local authorities. Transporters and empty storage yard operators in the harbour had been at loggerheads for some time regarding additional charges and truck turnaround delays.

According to a statement issued by the JNPT Container Operators Association, stakeholders at the meeting agreed to draw up a standard operating procedure (SOP) to streamline and regularise yard operations. "A key decision from the meeting was that effective 1 Sept., all payments related to empty yards will be made online, directly by importers/exporters,” the statement said. It further noted: “Consequently, no payments will be accepted at the empty yards, ensuring a more transparent and efficient payment process.”

Stakeholders also expressed hope that there is now enough time to assess the effectiveness of the new mechanism. They went on to add: “This co-ordinated effort demonstrates a strong commitment from JNPT and its stakeholders to resolve the issues and improve operations at the empty container yards.”

Still, some sources have reported fewer truck movements in and out of the port yesterday, though port officials dismissed such reports. Nhava Sheva terminals have had to deal with sporadic congestion problems over the last two months, impacting normal supply chains. Stronger-than-expected volume peaks combined with unsettled vessel schedules have been blamed for the logjams, but truckers have kept raising concerns about additional charges and deteriorating road conditions.

Any disruption at Nhava Sheva could reverberate through Indian trade flows as the port handles substantial volumes. According to the latest data obtained by Container News, Nhava Sheva saw 2.3 million TEUs from April through July, up 12% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, a threatened indefinite strike declared by port workers employed at government ports from 28 Aug. has already left Indian trade.