New Delhi, March 2 The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said on Monday that it has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation seeking waivers on demurrage charges for export cargo due to flight disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Under the existing tariff structure of Cargo Terminal Operators (CTOs), demurrage charges apply when cargo remains in terminal facilities beyond the stipulated free period.
However, the AEPC argued that the current situation constitutes an exceptional and unavoidable disruption in the global air logistics chain.
"Imposing demurrage in such cases would place an undue financial burden on exporters who are already facing shipment delays, contractual uncertainties, and market-related challenges," said Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel.
Sakthivel also suggested that the DGCA consider issuing suitable instructions to CTOs to grant waivers on demurrage charges for export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions, airspace restrictions, or related operational constraints arising from the ongoing international developments.
Such an intervention would provide much-needed relief to the exporting community and help sustain confidence and continuity in India's air cargo trade during this challenging phase, he added.
Sakthivel noted that the unforeseen developments have directly impacted the timely movement of export cargo from Indian airports to various international destinations.
"As a consequence, export consignments are currently stranded at multiple airport cargo terminals across India. The delays are solely attributable to external and unforeseen factors beyond the control of exporters, customs brokers, freight forwarders, or air cargo agents," he said in the letter.
