Congestion sees carriers make last-minute terminal shuffles at JNPA

Severe terminal congestion at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is forcing major container carriers to implement urgent, ad-hoc berthing adjustments to maintain schedule integrity. Maersk has officially notified customers that two upcoming MECL service voyages, connecting India to the US East Coast, will be diverted from their original berths to PSA Mumbai (BMCT). This strategic shift highlights the mounting operational pressure at Nhava Sheva, where capacity constraints are compelling lines to prioritize terminal efficiency over established port rotations.

These last-minute terminal shuffles necessitate strict adherence to operational safety protocols under SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 34, which mandates comprehensive voyage planning and the assessment of all navigational risks. For compliance departments, such diversions require immediate updates to the ship’s passage plan and port arrival documentation to ensure alignment with ISPS Code requirements for terminal security. Furthermore, masters must ensure that any changes to berthing schedules are recorded in the deck logbook in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI requirements regarding emissions monitoring during extended anchorage or maneuvering.

These operational changes directly impact masters and navigating officers who must now manage unexpected pilotage requests and updated berthing instructions at short notice. Navigating officers are required to update electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) with the latest port entry data for BMCT. Masters must ensure that bridge team management remains robust during these ad-hoc maneuvers to mitigate the risks associated with unfamiliar terminal layouts and increased vessel traffic density at the JNPA facility.