In an effort to relieve financial pressures on exporters, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued a strict guideline instructing ports to quickly pass on all charge discounts without delay.
The April 8 instruction comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have delayed shipping routes and increased logistics costs. The regulator has particularly urged port authorities to provide direct relief to exporters for expenses such as detention, ground rent, and reefer fees.
Crucially, the recommendation requires that these benefits be offered upfront, rather than through refund-based processes or after-the-fact modifications. The DG Shipping has stated that no delays will be tolerated and has asked for rigorous compliance at all ports and terminals.

The change is intended to improve cost transparency and avoid exporters from experiencing working capital hardship owing to delayed refunds. Exporters have frequently expressed worries about lagged benefits, which can have a major impact on cash flows, particularly during times of global uncertainty. The warning also mentioned the growing War Risk Premium (WRP), which has added a new layer of economic burden to the ongoing crises in vital maritime routes.