Import-export shipments continue to get delayed at Indian ports. The delays have extended from earlier 15-20 days to now 25-30 days and over a month in some cases. Industry and custom brokers are citing poor rollout of faceless assessment for the delays.

The sectors impacted by the delays have also expanded. Earlier the delays were faced majorly by automobiles, auto ancillary, electrical machinery, metals, chemicals, and medical equipment. However, now labour intensive sectors and domestic manufacturing are also getting impacted.

According export agencies, the delay is worsening the situation as this is the peak business time before Christmas break. They have also said that there are no containers available and freight rates have shot up substantially. They believe that there is an urgent need for a regulatory agency to regulate operations.

The agencies also said that Punjab farmer protest has held up 5,000 containers. This has also led to a lot of issues.