THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, APRIL 10, 2026
In a decisive effort
to safeguard India’s trade momentum amid evolving geopolitical developments in
West Asia, the Government of India has intensified coordination across
ministries and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges related to
packaging materials, logistics and shipping operations. High-level
consultations convened by the Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways underscore the government’s proactive approach to
ensuring continuity in exports and stabilising supply chains during a period of
global uncertainty.
Two key meetings
brought together senior officials, port authorities, shipping agencies, Export
Promotion Councils, customs authorities and industry representatives to assess
potential disruptions and identify timely solutions. The meeting chaired by the
Commerce Secretary focused on the availability and pricing of packaging inputs,
particularly petrochemical derivatives such as polymers and resins, which could
face pressure due to geopolitical developments. Industry participants noted
that rising input costs could pose challenges, especially for MSMEs, affecting
sectors such as apparel, leather, telecom and optical fibre, and medical
devices.
Stakeholders
highlighted concerns regarding supply chain stress, logistics constraints and
higher costs of critical raw materials. They emphasised the importance of
ensuring steady availability of essential inputs including LNG, helium and
petrochemical derivatives, along with faster GST refunds to ease liquidity
pressures. Responding to these concerns, the Commerce Secretary reiterated the
government’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted access to key raw
materials and production continuity. He emphasised the need for time-bound
assessment of packaging inputs, mapping domestic manufacturing capacity and
identifying import dependencies. A structured weekly monitoring mechanism to
track export-import trends and sector-specific stress indicators is also set to
be implemented, alongside continued consultations with industry bodies to
facilitate prompt policy interventions.
The second meeting,
co-chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
and the Commerce Secretary, focused on logistics and maritime trade operations.
Discussions covered documentation procedures, transit cargo movement, shipping
line practices, air freight costs, railway concessions and bunker fuel
availability. The presence of the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect
Taxes and Customs ensured coordinated deliberations on customs-related
processes, with officials outlining measures to streamline cargo clearance and
improve efficiency at ports.
Encouragingly,
stakeholders reported smooth cargo movement with adequate vessel availability
and no major constraints in cargo handling or transshipment, reflecting the
resilience of India’s logistics ecosystem. Issues related to hazardous cargo
handling were addressed constructively, with customs authorities agreeing to
review specific cases to further simplify procedures. Concerns regarding
non-transfer of benefits by certain shipping lines were also actively resolved.
Following the consultations, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has directed ports and terminal operators to enhance transparency by publishing details of concessions and waivers for cargo and vessels, reviewing bunker fuel availability and expediting the evacuation of stranded containers. These steps are expected to further strengthen operational efficiency and reduce delays.
Through sustained inter-ministerial coordination and continuous engagement with industry stakeholders, the government aims to minimise disruptions and reinforce the resilience of India’s trade ecosystem. The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs will continue to monitor developments closely and take necessary measures to ensure seamless logistics operations and safeguard national trade interests amid the evolving global scenario.
