The right to decide against the handling of cargo from different countries rests with the government and not with APSEZ.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ)’s decision to stop handling of export-import (EXIM) containerised cargo originating from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan at its ports from November 15 lacks “authority” as there is no direction by the government in this matter, say government agencies. The right to decide against the handling of cargo from different countries rests with the government and not with APSEZ.

APSEZ does not have “any authority” to decide against handling cargo. An official said that private players can not stop cargo from other countries other own discretion. The order should come from the government agencies such as the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Customs, or the Shipping Ministry. It is the government’s job to decide on such matters. In fact, any such directives could not be given by the customs department unless there is a policy decision by the government. And, currently, there are no such restrictions which are imposed on the containers from any country.

Moreover, if such a policy level decision was taken by the government then that would be applicable to all the ports of the country and not just the ports run by APSEZ. APSEZ has not cited any particular reason to stop handling boxes from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. There was no government direction in this decision as well.

Shipments

There was no government direction in this decision as well.

The decision was taken after nearly three tonnes of heroin from Afghanistan worth an estimated 200 billion rupees ($2.65 billion) from two containers at western Gujarat’s Mundra Port, run by Adani Ports was seized by Indian officials. After the seizure, Adani Ports in a statement said that port operators can not examine containers and the company has “no policing authority over the containers or the millions of tonnes of cargo” that passes through the terminals at its ports.

The decision was taken after nearly three tonnes of heroin from Afghanistan worth an estimated 200 billion rupees ($2.65 billion) from two containers at western Gujarat’s Mundra Port, run by Adani Ports was seized by Indian officials. After the seizure, Adani Ports in a statement said that port operators can not examine containers and the company has “no policing authority over the containers or the millions of tonnes of cargo” that passes through the terminals at its ports.

 Around 95 per cent of trade by volume and 68 percent by value are moved through maritime transport. Around, Adani Port and SEZ’s 13 strategically located ports and terminals represent 24 percent of the country’s port capacity. Out of these, Mundra is the largest port of the group which is located in the Kutch District of Gujarat. It is also one of the major economic gateways for trade with Iran. The Mudra port is the nearest port for the Middle East including Iran, the Persian Gulf. As a result, the majority of North and West India-focused inbound and outbound trade goes through Mundra.

APSEZ

As a result, the majority of North and West India-focused inbound and outbound trade goes through Mundra.