Over 200 Containers of Onions, Grapes, and Bananas Stranded at Mumbai Port Amid Geopolitical Tensions
In a significant disruption to India's horticulture exports, more than 200 containers loaded with onions, grapes, and bananas have been stuck at Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) for the past two days. The delay stems from severe shipping operation disruptions caused by the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which has thrown vessel schedules into chaos.
Exporters Face Mounting Losses as Cargo Accumulates
Exporters have issued warnings about rapidly increasing financial losses as cargo continues to pile up at port terminals and private container depots. According to the Horticulture Produce Exporters Association (HPEA), approximately 40 refrigerated containers are stranded inside JNPT, while nearly 160 more are stuck at private yards in the vicinity. Additionally, several consignments that had already been dispatched toward Dubai are reportedly waiting in holding zones due to the uncertain shipping timelines.
Urgent Intervention Sought from Authorities
In response to the crisis, HPEA office-bearers held telephonic discussions with officials from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Monday. They appealed for urgent intervention to prevent heavy financial losses. APEDA has instructed exporters to provide detailed lists of the stranded cargo and daily cost escalations to assess the situation comprehensively.
Breakdown of Stranded Produce and Export Routes
Vikas Singh, vice-president of HPEA, highlighted that a substantial portion of India's horticulture exports to Gulf nations typically passes through Dubai, which serves as a key trans-shipment hub for the region. "The ongoing crisis involving the US, Israel, and Iran has severely disrupted shipping schedules, leaving most containers stranded at JNPT," he explained. Of the 200 affected containers:
- Roughly 70% are filled with onions
- Approximately 15% contain grapes
- About 12% are loaded with bananas
All of this produce originates from Maharashtra. A single container typically carries:
- 27–30 tonnes of onions
- Around 13 tonnes of grapes
- About 18 tonnes of bananas
Escalating Operational Expenses Add to Exporters' Woes
Exporters are also grappling with rising operational costs. Containers stored at private yards incur plug-in charges ranging between Rs 3,500 and Rs 5,000 per day to maintain refrigeration. When additional inspection procedures are factored in, the daily expense can surge to nearly Rs 7,000-8,000 per container. "While there are no plug-in charges inside JNPT, the shortage of space means most containers are stranded outside, leading to these extra costs," Singh noted.
Concerns Over Perishable Goods and Future Implications
If the geopolitical situation does not improve promptly, exporters fear even greater losses. Shipping lines may return containers after several days, which could compromise the shelf life of the highly perishable produce. This scenario poses a significant threat to the quality and marketability of the goods, potentially resulting in substantial financial setbacks for the horticulture sector.
The ongoing conflict has not only disrupted logistics but also highlighted the vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive agricultural exports. Stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, hoping for a swift resolution to mitigate further damage.
