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India has introduced a series of relief measures at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to reduce mounting pressure on exporters affected by shipping disruptions linked to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
The measures come as congestion, vessel delays and higher freight costs continue to disrupt cargo movement through key maritime routes near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest oil and container shipping corridors. Indian exporters have reported delayed deliveries, rising storage costs and uncertainty over vessel schedules as several shipping lines alter routes or suspend services.
Under the latest relief package, JNPA has waived ground rent and dwell-time charges on stranded export containers for a limited period. Operators at container terminals within the port have also offered significant concessions on reefer plug-in charges for refrigerated cargo, helping exporters of perishable goods reduce operational losses.
The intervention is aimed primarily at shipments destined for Gulf markets that have been delayed due to rerouting, congestion and security-related restrictions affecting regional shipping lanes. Industry executives said the disruptions have sharply increased logistics expenses, with freight rates and insurance premiums rising substantially over recent weeks.
Exporters across sectors including agriculture, engineering, textiles and ceramics have been among the hardest hit. Thousands of containers remain stranded at ports or in transit, while some cargoes have reportedly been redirected to alternate transshipment hubs outside the Gulf region.
The government has also expanded broader support through a dedicated export assistance initiative designed to help businesses manage additional logistics and insurance costs arising from the West Asia crisis. The scheme includes logistical support, extended export obligation timelines and other facilitation measures intended to maintain trade flows with Gulf economies.
Trade and logistics experts said the port-level concessions could provide temporary financial relief to exporters, especially small and medium-sized firms dealing with liquidity pressure caused by delayed shipments and longer transit cycles. However, they cautioned that prolonged instability in the region may continue to affect shipping schedules and supply chain reliability in the months ahead.
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Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has expanded its technology partnership with US-based supply chain software provider Kaleris, committing up to $100 million toward automation and optimisation initiatives as it accelerates digital transformation across its port operations. The multi-year agreement will see Kaleris deploy AI-enabled terminal operating and optimisation systems across APSEZ’s network of 15 container terminals located at nine domestic and international ports. The rollout is intended to create a unified digital platform that improves operational visibility, planning accuracy and resource utilisation across the company’s maritime logistics ecosystem. The investment forms part of APSEZ’s broader plan to spend approximately $850 million on technology upgrades and decarbonisation initiatives by 2031. The company said automation investments under the Kaleris partnership will be implemented in phases to support long-term capacity expansion and operational efficiency goals. According to APSEZ, the technology deployment is expected to help unlock an additional 91 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo-handling capacity by 2030, equivalent to roughly 10% of its current installed capacity. The company is targeting annual cargo-handling capability of one billion tonnes by the end of the decade. The expanded programme builds on earlier deployments at six ports and will extend advanced planning, container handling and terminal optimisation capabilities across the wider network. APSEZ expects the systems to improve yard utilisation, accelerate vessel turnaround times and enhance end-to-end coordination between port assets and logistics operations. The company said the initiative aligns with its strategy to integrate artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and data-driven decision-making into port operations. By standardising systems across multiple terminals, APSEZ aims to improve productivity and operational consistency while supporting future growth in cargo volumes. As India’s largest integrated transport and logistics operator, APSEZ currently accounts for a significant share of the country’s port cargo volumes and continues to expand its domestic and international footprint. The latest investment underscores the growing role of automation and AI in modern container terminal management as operators seek higher efficiency, faster vessel turnaround and improved supply chain visibility. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has secured a 10-year marine services contract for Argentina's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project, marking the company's entry into South America and strengthening its presence in the global energy logistics sector. The contract was awarded to an APSEZ-led consortium comprising its subsidiary Adani Harbour International FZCO and Argentina-based Meridian Group following an international tender process conducted by Southern Energy SA. The project carries an estimated investment commitment of US$70 million. Under the agreement, the consortium will provide a range of marine services for the Southern Energy floating LNG (FLNG) project, including tug operations for LNG carriers, offshore logistics support and crew transportation. Operations will be supported by four tugboats, an anchor-handling tug supply vessel and a crew boat. The award represents a significant international expansion for APSEZ, which has been increasing its presence in marine services linked to ports, energy terminals and offshore infrastructure. The Argentina project will give the company a foothold in a new geography while diversifying its revenue streams beyond traditional port operations. Located in the San Matías Gulf in Río Negro Province, the Southern Energy project is expected to become Argentina's first operational LNG export facility. The development will liquefy natural gas transported through the General San Martín pipeline using a floating LNG vessel. . For APSEZ, the contract highlights the growing role of logistics and marine service providers in supporting global energy supply chains. The company is expected to play a key role in vessel handling and offshore operations critical to the project's export activities. The deal also reflects increasing commercial links between India and Argentina in the energy sector, with LNG emerging as a strategic component of long-term trade and supply chain cooperation between the two countries. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, has become the first Indian port to partner with H2Global to facilitate green hydrogen export corridors between India and Europe. The strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marks a major step toward integrating India into the global green hydrogen supply chain and strengthening maritime trade links with European energy markets. The collaboration between VOCPA and H2Global, represented by the H2Global Foundation and Hintco GmbH, aims to establish the infrastructure, logistics frameworks and commercial mechanisms required for large-scale exports of green hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia and e-methanol. The partnership will also explore long-term offtake arrangements and the development of sustainable maritime fuel ecosystems that support global decarbonisation goals. For the logistics and shipping sector, the agreement signals the emergence of a new clean-energy trade corridor connecting India’s southern coastline with Germany and broader European markets. As demand for renewable fuels accelerates across Europe, ports are increasingly being viewed as critical nodes in the hydrogen value chain, requiring specialised storage, handling and transportation infrastructure. The partnership is expected to catalyse investments in dedicated hydrogen and ammonia terminals, storage facilities and associated maritime logistics capabilities at the port. The development aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets the creation of a robust domestic hydrogen ecosystem and positions the country as a major exporter of green fuels. VOCPA has already emerged as a key player in this transition. The port was recognised as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the mission and commissioned a port-based green hydrogen pilot project in 2025, making it one of India’s pioneering maritime facilities in renewable hydrogen production and application. Industry observers believe the agreement could strengthen India’s competitiveness in the global green hydrogen market by leveraging Tamil Nadu’s abundant wind and solar resources, strategic maritime location and growing industrial base. For supply chain stakeholders, the initiative underscores the increasing convergence of clean energy, port infrastructure and international trade. As global energy supply chains undergo rapid transformation, the VOCPA-H2Global partnership positions India not only as a producer of green hydrogen but also as a critical logistics hub in the emerging international clean fuel economy. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
