Apparel exporters write to aviation ministry

New Delhi: Apparel exporters’ body AEPC on Monday said it has written to the civil aviation ministry seeking waiver of demurrage charges on export cargo on account of flight disruptions emanating from the ongoing West Asia crisis. Under the existing tariff structure of Cargo Terminal Operators, demurrage charges become applicable when cargo remains in terminal facilities beyond the stipulated free period. However, AEPC argued that the present circumstances constitute an exceptional and unavoidable disruption in the global air logistics chain. “Imposition of demurrage in such cases would place an undue financial burden on exporters who are already facing shipment delays, contractual uncertainties, and market-related challenges,” Apparel Export Promotion Council Chairman A Sakthivel stated. Sakthivel suggested that DGCA consider issuing suitable instruction to CTOs to grant waiver of demurrage charges on export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions, airspace restrictions, or related operational constraints arising from the international developments.