Federation of Indian Exports Organization (FIEO) launches an online portal connecting exporters and shipping lines amid the shortage of shipping containers. First-level marketplace to ease the flow of outbound goods.
Online Portal Set Up By FIEO
FIEO set-online portal is the first-level market place that brings exporters and shipping lines together to eliminate the shortage of shipping containers. Further, it will help the policymakers to measure the depth of the actual container crisis. Not only this, but it will also allow exporters to negotiate competitive quotes for their requirements.
The web-link will facilitate exporters to post their request for the container. It will include the source and destination ports, the specific type of containers needed and the urgency of the order. The same request will be visible to Shipping lines/ Freight forwarders. Subsequently, service providers can show their interest in fulfilling the orders for shipping containers.
Several Requests Received Within First Week
The portal has received deluge of requests within the first week of its launch. Exporters have demanded highest number of containers at Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai and Gujarat’s Mundhra port. On the other hand, Newark port in the United States has been the most common destination mentioned. Also, Rotterdam port in the Netherlands and Dammam port in Saudi Arabia were the most common destinations in European and Middle Eastern region.
Exporters Facing Shortage Of Containers Since Late 2020- FIEO President
Sharad Kumar Saraf, President of FIEO explains that India has been witnessing shortage of containers since late 2020. Further, he adds that a sharp drop in imports led to the shortage of containers at Indian ports. The situation worsened as economies resumed foreign trade at the same time after lockdown. Also, rise in export orders from China has put pressure on the container supply. Orders for exports piled up and uncertainty over supply of containers loomed. As a result, prices of containers sky-rocketed.
In all, the online service launched by FIEO aims to overcome the ongoing shortage of shipping containers in India.