Cargo Worth ₹345 Crore for Iran Stuck at Kandla and Mundra Ports Amid West Asia Crisis

By Admin

12 Mar, 2026

The ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have begun to affect international trade routes, causing disruptions in shipping and port operations. As a result, cargo valued at approximately ₹345 crore and destined for Iran is currently stranded at two major Indian ports, raising concerns among exporters and logistics stakeholders.

1. Government Confirms Cargo Delay in Parliament

The Indian government confirmed the situation in Parliament on Tuesday. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, stated that the ongoing West Asia crisis has impacted shipping and port operations, leading to delays in cargo movement from India to Iran.

According to the ministry, the disruption has particularly affected shipments waiting at two major ports on India’s western coast.

2. Cargo Stranded at Deendayal Port (Kandla)

A large portion of the affected cargo is currently lying at Deendayal Port. Government data indicates that approximately 35,962 tonnes of cargo intended for Iran is awaiting export from the port.

The stranded cargo mainly consists of rice, tea, and pharmaceutical products, which are important export commodities for India. The Free on Board (FOB) value of this cargo is estimated at ₹305.67 crore, making it the largest share of the delayed shipments.

Exporters are currently unable to dispatch these consignments due to uncertainty in shipping routes and vessel movements in the region.

3. Additional Cargo Held at Mundra Port

Apart from Kandla, shipments are also affected at Mundra Port, one of India’s busiest commercial ports.

At Mundra, around 5,676 tonnes of cargo valued at ₹40.72 crore remains stranded. Similar to the shipments at Kandla, the cargo primarily includes rice, tea, and pharmaceutical products that were scheduled for export to Iran.

Together, the cargo stuck at both ports totals over 41,000 tonnes, reflecting the scale of the disruption caused by the regional crisis.

4. Iran’s Importance in India’s Basmati Rice Trade

The disruption is particularly significant because Iran is one of the largest importers of Indian basmati rice. Government export data highlights the strength of this trade relationship.

During the April–January period of the current fiscal year, India exported 7,90,691 tonnes of basmati rice worth ₹5,424.24 crore to Iran. This represents an increase compared with the previous year’s exports of 6,27,030 tonnes valued at ₹4,861.83 crore during the same period.

These figures underline Iran’s strategic importance as a market for Indian agricultural exports.

5. Concerns Among Exporters and Logistics Companies

The ongoing crisis in West Asia has created uncertainty across the shipping and logistics sector. Exporters are increasingly worried about:

• Shipment delays and vessel schedule disruptions
  
  

• Rising logistics and freight costs
  
  

• Potential contract delays with international buyers
  
  

• Trade instability in key regional markets
  
  

If the situation persists, exporters may face higher storage costs at ports and possible disruptions to future trade contracts.

6. Outlook for Trade and Shipping

Industry experts believe that the situation will largely depend on how quickly regional tensions stabilize. Shipping lines are closely monitoring developments in West Asia, particularly routes connected to the Persian Gulf.

Until normal maritime operations resume, exporters may continue to experience delays in cargo dispatch, higher operational costs, and logistical challenges.

Conclusion

The West Asia crisis has highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical tensions. With ₹345 crore worth of cargo currently stranded at Deendayal Port and Mundra Port, exporters and logistics operators are closely watching developments in the region. Ensuring safe shipping routes and restoring normal maritime operations will be essential to maintaining trade flows between India and Iran.