India’s major west coast ports, particularly Mundra Port, are facing a growing crisis as container flows are severely impacted by extreme weather and lingering capacity challenges. Torrential rain and flooding have compounded the issue, causing significant delays and bottlenecks in cargo movement.
Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), has been the worst affected. The port handles a substantial portion of India’s containerised trade, and recent flooding brought its shipping operations to a complete standstill for several days. According to sources, the flooding and subsequent disruptions have led to major cargo backlogs, leaving the port scrambling to restore operations.
A senior executive at a leading carrier confirmed that Mundra Port was paralysed for at least three days due to the severe flooding. “The entire shipping system at Mundra came to a halt, causing a ripple effect on supply chains. Adani terminals are working relentlessly to clear the backlog and restore normal vessel berthing, but it could take up to a week or more, depending on how the weather evolves,” the executive said.
Efforts are being made to prioritise export-focused vessel calls, given the yard inventory crisis, but the situation remains far from resolved. More than half of the cargo passing through Mundra is moved by rail, or via inland container depots (ICDs). A private rail operator noted that while rail services have resumed, a backlog of inward trains persists, exacerbated by the weather disruption. “The port has assured that they are making every effort to clear stranded trains and keep cargo moving,” he added.
Concerns are mounting among industry stakeholders as reports surface of certain vessels receiving preferential berthing. Sources suggest that shipping giants MSC and CMA CGM, who have partnerships with Adani at Mundra, are experiencing fewer delays compared to other carriers. “Vessels from other lines are facing significantly longer wait times to secure a berthing window, leading to diversions and vessel-skips,” said a source from a Far East carrier, referencing the Cosco Philippines, which bypassed Mundra last week due to the congestion.
The cascading effect of these issues is also being felt at Nhava Sheva Port (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, JNPA), one of India’s busiest ports. Freight operators and truckers have expressed growing frustration over escalating delays. Traffic restrictions introduced to manage the heavy flow of vehicles have worsened the situation, with turnaround times for trucks now reaching up to 20 hours.
The Nhava Sheva Container Operators’ Welfare Association voiced their concerns, urging authorities to step in. “Recent road closures in the JNPA area have caused a significant backlog of shipments. This has placed immense pressure on transporters and drivers who are struggling to meet delivery commitments,” a representative of the association said.
Exporters and importers alike are feeling the pinch. Umesh Grover, secretary general of the Container Freight Stations Association of India, warned that delays of 12 to 24 hours for imports and “shut-out” exports are becoming increasingly common. “The backlog has clogged entire facilities, making it difficult for workers to clear the growing number of delayed shipments.”
