India’s efforts to support exporters hit by cargo disruptions due to the ongoing Iran conflict have exposed a key policy gap: while the government can direct relief at ports, it lacks the authority to regulate pricing by global container shipping lines. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways had instructed state-owned port authorities to offer significant concessions—including reductions in ground rent and reefer plug-in charges—to ease the burden on exporters whose cargo was stranded during the crisis. However, industry sources say the benefits have been uneven and difficult to implement, largely due to the independent pricing practices of shipping lines.
