The Basmati Rice Farmers and Exporters Development Forum has written to the Indian government seeking its intervention, saying that despite multiple representations made by exporters and industry bodies to shipping lines, no meaningful response or corrective action has been taken. The plea comes as shipping charges of stranded consignments , on high sea and ports have multiplied. It pointed out that exporters are facing risks of contractual defaults, cancellation of orders, deterioration of cargo quality, particularly in the case of food products.

In a letter to APEDA chairman, BFDF’s chairperson Priyanka Mittal said that the current situation constitutes a national trade crisis rather than a mere commercial dispute between private parties. “In the absence of such intervention, exporters are likely to suffer significant financial losses, disruption of business operations and long-term erosion of international trade relationships, the consequences of which may extend well beyond the present crisis,” she said.

She has sought “directions and/or advisory” from the government to all shipping lines, port authorities, terminal operators and Inland Container Depots to recognise the present situation as a force majeure event with effect from March 1 and so that detention, demurrage and storage charges on all containers destined for affected West Asian countries are immediately waived and suspended.

War risk surcharge

“We also request that appropriate regulatory directions be issued to prohibit the retrospective application of War Risk Surcharge (WRS), and to ensure that any such surcharge, if applicable, is implemented strictly on a prospective basis with adequate prior notice and reasonable timelines for compliance,” she said.

The exporters body said that shipping lines be directed not to impose any ‘arbitrary’ or crisis-induced charges, “including but not limited to change of destination (COD) charges, manifest amendment charges, or any ancillary penalties” arising out of the present situation.

Mittal has also requested the government help for “immediate release and/or return of containers” without linking to the payment of disputed charges for which she has suggested a joint task force comprising relevant government authorities, shipping lines and exporter bodies be set up.

Not legally tenable

Exporters said that they had fulfilled all contractual obligations by completing stuffing and gate-in of containers before the disruption, but shipments were halted due to the suspension of services by shipping lines, leaving cargo stranded under their custody.

The industry body contends that shipping lines cannot legally impose charges for delays resulting from their own operational decisions or external geopolitical developments.

Pointing out that financial impact has been severe, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), many of which depend heavily on the Gulf markets. The letter has cited an instance where a large exporter has been charged around ₹30 lakh in detention fees alone by a global shipping major.

Published on April 3, 2026