India’s Directorate General of Shipping has established a dedicated help line and e-mail id to support exporters, shipping lines, and multimodal transport operators regarding issues arising from the current situation in the Middle East.

DG Shipping explained that the help line and e-mail id would serve as a single point of contact for stakeholders facing issues related to freight charges, delays and disputes related to cargo discharge, disputes with the shipping lines on various charges levied by shipping lines and operational uncertainties.

“In view of the ongoing disruptions in maritime logistics and trade due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East, and based on industry feedback received during stakeholder consultations, it has been decided to establish a dedicated Help Line and E-Mail ID to facilitate outreach and support for exporters, shipping lines, and multimodal transport operators,” DG Shipping said in a public notice.

The help line desk shall continuously monitor all stakeholder issues, maintain a centralized record of complaints and actions taken, manage and respond to queries/complaints received through the dedicated helpline and email, coordinate with concerned divisions/ministries/agencies for prompt resolution, and ensure timely submission of daily status reports to the ministry.

Furthermore, a daily summary report of issues received, and actions taken shall be submitted to the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways for monitoring and review.

The move is a follow-up to an advisory issued on March 9 by DG Shipping regarding the levy of multiple ancillary charges by shipping lines/carriers and their agents.

DGS issued an advisory asking shipping lines/carriers/agents to refrain from predatory, non-transparent and opportunistic pricing in the EXIM trade.

“These charges are perceived to be non-transparent and opportunistic in nature, resulting in an escalation of transaction costs in the logistics chain and appearing to take undue advantage of the prevailing geopolitical tensions and war-like situation,” it said.

The Directorate emphasized in its circular that expects all stakeholders in the maritime logistics chain to cooperate by maintaining transparency and fairness in commercial practices, reducing logistics costs and improving ease of doing business in India.