Finance Ministry urges port infrastructure upgrade to boost export efficiency

NEW DELHI : A Finance Ministry report released on Friday has called for urgent upgrades to port infrastructure to enhance the efficiency of perishable export cargo movement. The report, unveiled by Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, highlights the need to improve gate operations, IT systems, scanning mechanisms, and temperature-controlled facilities across Indian ports.

The document stresses that improving these touchpoints is essential to reduce cargo clearance times and make Indian exports more globally competitive. The report also underlines the importance of streamlining post-clearance logistics, including better coordination and movement of cargo from ports to final destinations.

“Modern and integrated infrastructure at ports, especially for perishable goods, is critical to improving turnaround time and reducing costs for exporters,” the report notes, adding that the current setup falls short in supporting India’s ambitious trade targets.

Minister Smt. Sitharaman, while releasing the report, said that efficient port logistics are key to India’s export growth strategy, and called for greater synergy between customs, logistics providers, and port authorities to enable a smoother experience for exporters.

The report is part of a broader policy focus on trade facilitation, with India aiming to improve its ranking in global logistics performance indices. Stakeholders, including port operators and exporters, are expected to be consulted in implementing the recommendations.

The Finance Ministry’s push for reforms comes amid rising global competition and increasing demands for faster and more temperature-sensitive deliveries, particularly in sectors like agriculture, seafood, and pharmaceuticals.