Basmati exporters seek relief from government as shipping charges surge amid war disruption
06-Apr-2026 08:48 AM
Basmati exporters seek relief from government as shipping charges surge amid war disruption
★ Basmati rice exporters have urged the government to intervene as shipping charges have sharply increased due to disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Exporters are facing rising costs, shipment delays and the risk of order cancellations.
★ Containers stranded at sea and ports are attracting high detention, demurrage and storage charges. This has raised concerns over deterioration in quality of food products and potential breach of contracts.
★ The BFDF has requested the government to declare the current situation as force majeure from March 1 and direct shipping lines and port authorities to waive such charges. It has also opposed the retrospective imposition of War Risk Surcharge (WRS), seeking that it be applied only prospectively.
★ Exporters argue that the delays were caused by decisions of shipping companies and external geopolitical factors, making such charges legally unjustified. The impact has been severe, particularly on MSME exporters dependent on Gulf markets, with some firms facing additional charges of around ₹30 lakh.
★ The industry has also called for the formation of a joint task force comprising government authorities, shipping lines and industry representatives to resolve disputes and ensure the timely release of containers.