Trade Advisory on operational status at JNPA Container Terminals
MUMBAI : Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s Largest Container Port, wishes to clarify the operational status of its container terminals in light of recent advisories issued by CFSAI and BCBA. All five container terminals at JNPA are functioning smoothly, without congestion, and continue to operate at full efficiency. On average, JNPA receives 10–12 container vessels daily, handling approximately 22,000 TEUs of containerized cargo (imports and exports) every day.
Gate operations remain steady, with around 20,000 TEUs moving by road and 2,000 TEUs by rail. Contrary to claims of congestion, the port’s operations remain uninterrupted. The current challenge lies not within the port terminals but in the shortage of trailers and drivers provided by Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and Custom Brokers (CBs).
Key Clarifications
• Responsibility of CFSs and CBs: Import containers stacked at terminal yards are delivered only when trailers are placed by CFSs or CBs. It is their responsibility to ensure adequate trailer availability. If drivers are unavailable due to vacation or absenteeism, CFSs and CBs must arrange immediate alternatives.
• No Trailer Backlog at Terminals: Terminals have deployed additional manpower to expedite container delivery. There is no situation where trailers are waiting for loading; rather, the number of trailers arriving has reduced due to driver shortages.
• Proactive Measures by JNPA: o Facilitating evacuation of containers by rail to nearby CFSs with rail sidings. o Coordinating with Customs for expedited approvals. o Assisting trade by arranging dedicated trains from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to bring back drivers currently on vacation.
Storage and Occupancy
JNPA’s total container storage capacity is 1.76 lakh TEUs. Under normal conditions, occupancy ranges between 90,000–1,00,000 TEUs. Due to increased transshipment cargo following geopolitical disturbances in the Middle East, occupancy as on 7th May 2026 is 1.18 lakh TEUs, which is only 67% occupancy. Of this, only 26,000 TEUs are transshipment containers, which are not causing congestion. The higher occupancy is solely due to delays in trailer mobilization by CFSs and CBs.
Call to Action
JNPA reiterates that port operations are not congested. However, the pendency of import containers will only be resolved when CFSs and Custom Brokers urgently mobilize sufficient trailers and drivers. JNPA stands ready to extend all possible support, but the responsibility of container evacuation rests with the CFSs and CBs. “JNPA remains committed to providing the best services to its customers. We urge CFSs and Custom Brokers to immediately arrange adequate trailers and drivers to ensure smooth evacuation of import containers from the terminal yards.”
About Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA):
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is one of the premier containerhandling ports in India. Since its inception on May 26, 1989, JNPA has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal into the premier container port in the country. Currently, JNPA operates five container terminals – NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. The Port also has a shallow water berth for general cargo operated by Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (NSDT). A Liquid Cargo Terminal present at the JNPA Port is managed by the BPCL-IOCL consortium and the additional liquid cargo terminal developed by JNPA will be operated by M/s JSW – JNPT Liquid Terminal Pvt. Ltd. Additionally, the newly constructed coastal berth links other Indian ports and facilitates enhancing the traffic of coastal containers. Nestled across 277 hectares of land, JNPA also operates a meticulously designed multi-product SEZ, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, to boost export-oriented industries in India. JNPA is also developing an all-weather, deep-draft, greenfield port at Vadhvan, the 13th Major Port of India in Maharashtra. It is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally and will be a 100% green port since its inception.
