TEA flags concern over container shortage, shipping cost rise

The Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) recently wrote to minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal regarding shortage of containers and increase—almost double—in shipping costs. TEA president Raja M Shanmugham said these issues have emerged at a time when knitwear exports from Tiruppur have started picking up due to opening of US and European Union (EU) markets.

Shanmugham said the shipping price increase is due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that include shortage of labour, congestion at ports and quarantined cargo.

Delivery schedules are being met through air shipment, thereby incurring higher charges, he noted. He requested the minister to intervene and help restore the availability of containers for export growth. The representation has also been sent to Piyush Goyal, minister of commerce and industry.