JNPA offers 50% ground rent relief to importers amid container evacuation delays

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has announced a 50% reimbursement of ground rent charges for import-laden containers that remained at its container terminals beyond the free period, offering relief to importers affected by delays in container evacuation caused by a shortage of trailer drivers.

The move, described by JNPA as a first-of-its-kind measure in the port sector, applies to containers discharged on or after May 1, 2026, and removed before midnight on June 20, 2026. However, containers landed at terminals after midnight on June 12 will not be eligible for the waiver.

The decision comes after driver shortages during April and May disrupted the evacuation of import containers from container freight stations (CFSs) and direct port delivery (DPD) facilities, leading to congestion, inventory build-up and extended dwell times at port terminals. Although the responsibility for container evacuation lies with CFS operators and importers, JNPA said it decided to step in to ease the burden on trade participants affected by the disruption.

Under the relief mechanism, importers will be reimbursed 50% of the ground rent charged from the ninth day after a container’s landing until its removal. To claim the refund, importers must submit ground rent invoices, delivery order documents and bank details to JNPA’s finance office. The port authority said a standard operating procedure will be issued shortly, and it is also working on a digital system that would allow importers to upload claims directly online for processing.

JNPA Chairman Gaurav Dayal said the authority chose to route the relief directly to importers to ensure quicker and more certain transfer of the benefit. He noted that earlier relief measures announced during the disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East had exposed implementation challenges when concessions were routed through shipping lines and freight intermediaries.

According to Dayal, the current waiver reflects JNPA’s effort to support the wider trade ecosystem during a period of operational stress. He said ground rent accumulation in this case was triggered by an extraordinary disruption rather than regular commercial activity, and that the port authority did not view such charges as a core source of revenue.

JNPA estimates that the financial impact of the waiver could be around ₹20 crore, although the final outgo will depend on how quickly containers are cleared before the June 20 deadline.

The authority said the measure is aimed at providing immediate support to importers while helping ease pressure across the logistics chain. It also signalled that the port sees such interventions as part of its broader role in facilitating trade and ensuring supply chain stability during disruptions.