AEPC Chairman Seeks Waiver of Demurrage Charges on Export Cargo Amid West Asian Flight Disruptions

The Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Dr A Sakthivel, has written to the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, regarding disruptions to export cargo movement. The request concerns the waiver of demurrage charges following international flight disruptions linked to the ongoing Iran-US conflict affecting the Middle East and West Asia.

Dr A Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, highlighting operational challenges affecting export cargo movement due to the ongoing Iran-US conflict in the Middle East and West Asia. In the communication, he requested a waiver of demurrage charges on export consignments affected by flight disruptions resulting from the crisis.

In his representation to the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, he noted that “the prevailing situation has significantly disrupted international flight operations, resulting in route restrictions, airspace closures, flight diversions, schedule irregularities, and operational constraints at certain overseas airports. These unforeseen developments have directly impacted the timely movement of export cargo from Indian airports to various international destinations. As a consequence, export consignments are currently stranded at multiple airport cargo terminals across India. The delays are solely attributable to external and unforeseen factors beyond the control of exporters, customs brokers, freight forwarders, or air cargo agents.”

Under the existing tariff structure of Cargo Terminal Operators (CTOs), demurrage charges apply when cargo remains at terminal facilities beyond the permitted free period. However, the current situation represents an exceptional disruption in the global air logistics chain. According to Dr Sakthivel, applying demurrage charges under these circumstances would add financial pressure on exporters who are already facing shipment delays, contractual uncertainties, and market-related challenges.

Dr Sakthivel requested DGCA to consider issuing suitable instruction to Cargo Terminal Operators to grant waiver of demurrage charges on export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions, airspace restrictions, or related operational constraints arising from the ongoing international developments. Such an intervention would provide much-needed relief to the exporting community and help sustain confidence and continuity in India’s air cargo trade during this challenging phase, he added.