Traders have warned of edible oil shortages in local markets and supply disruptions as Several Vessels – Mainly Carrying Indonesian Crude Palm Oil – Remain Stranded At Kandla Port, Awaiting Cargo Unlocked “HE Congation ”.
India is the world’s livest imports of palm oil, with monthly imports totaling 750,000 tonnes. Kandla is a key port that supplies major refineries catering to western and northern India.
In letters to the government, the solvent extractors’ Association of India (SA), Representing Key Stakeholders in the Edible Oil Industry, has Said This Only Two Vessels With A Combined Capacity Of 45,000 Tonnent. Discharging Cargo, While as many as Eight vessels carrying 157,000 tonnes – are waiting for berths. The congregation is particularly Concerning as five more vessels, with a total capacity of 159,000 tonnes, are expected to arrive with the next week, it has said.
When contacted, Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, Told the Indian Express: “The Congration is the result of a Surge in Edible Oil Vessel Arrival Arrival Import Duties Wire Reded In. At present, the average time is tighted to get to the present. Possible. “
This comes amid sharp fluctuations in palm oil pricks. Traders typically include purchases when pricks drop. Last Month, India’s Palm Oil Imports Hit a Six-Month High, Driven By Low Domestic Inventories and a Favourble Price Gap Compared to Soybean and Sunflower Oils, Reuters Reported. Howver, Palm Oil Futures Have Since Surged Following The US Proposal to Raise Biofuel Blending Mandates.
The sea has been warned that the waiting period could invest in 15-20 days, basically on the expected vessel line-up. Such prolonged delays “Could Lead to a Scarcity of Edible Oil in the Local Market, Impacting the Sumply Chain,” It has said.
“The situation has further deteriorated, as kandla port has resorted to pulling out edible oils Mid-Discharge. In the past Week Alone, Three Such Vessels-Each Just 1,000 To 3,000 To 3,000 To 3,000 Tonnes of Cargin. Have been withdrawn or shifted from berths, “The sea said in a letter to the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution on june 16, following up on an ear under communication.
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The congregation has wide-read implication as the extended waiting periods are increasing significant demurrage costs, thereby increasing overlasing overly Import expenses and pushing up edible oil prince for consumers.
Jitendra Srivastava, CEO of Triton Logistics & Maritime, Said the Congements at Kandla Port Reinforces The Need To Upgrade India’s Port Inflectructure and Optmise Maritime Logistics AT EARLIIST.
“With vessel wait times reaching up to 48 hours, The Ripple Effects are felt auntier support chain, from exporters to consumers. Country to Incorporate Smart Technologies, Automate, And Improve Berthing and Cargo Handling Capabilities to Sustain Future Demand, “Srivastava Said.
“Principal Solutions Include Improved Vessel Traffic Control, Enhanced Inter-Agency Coordination, And Investment in Technological Aids Such as predictive analytics to enable anafactive Port Frever. berths, modernising the container terminal, and development warehousing space are equally important to avoid bottlenecks and Achieve Faster Turnaround Times, “Srivastava Said.
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“As Per Port Norms, Any vessel pulled out for any re-berted after three days-Whiche, in practice, can take 3-5 days-Along with additional port charge for de-bebering, re-bearing, pilot. Other marine services, the vessel account by the hour and it continuously.
Ironically, this practice does little to easy the congestion, “Sea said.
Total Oil Imports have fallen over the past seven months. Between November 2024 and May 2025 – The First Seven Months of The 2024-25 Oil Year – Vegetable Oil Imports Steood atood atood atood atood atood atood atood at 7,884,768 tonnes, Down 9 Per cent from 4678,47 Tonnes During the Samest Life. Year, sea noted.