Several major Indian ports including the largest private port operators, have declared force majeure as the country, in an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus, on March 24 started a three-week nationwide lockdown that will affect all 1.3bn citizens.
The government is allowing ports to consider the pandemic as valid grounds for invoking force majeure on port activities and operations.
Port services are categorised as essential services and deemed not be responsible for any claims, damages and charges for all its contracts, deliverables, promises, assurances, events and occurrences.
India relies on imports of crude oil, gas and coal but also on everyday manufactured goods including clothes, electronics and machinery. It is the world's fourth largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer accounting for around 7% of global LNG imports.
India imports crude oil, LNG and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) primarily from the Middle East. Any significant restrictions on imports would impact coal trades from Indonesia, Australia and South Africa.
Last year India shipped in over 9m tonnes of palm oil, making it the world's largest importer by a large margin.
Tags
More articles
Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus
Australia demands German cruise ship leave its waters 'immediately'
Australia demands German cruise ship leave its waters 'immediately'
BBC shipping forecasts reduced during coronavirus pandemic
Due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has announced that its marine weather service on BBC Radio 4 will change for the foreseeable future.
Plea for ship suppliers to be recognised as essential workers
Ship suppliers should be given 'essential worker' status to enable them to keep ships stocked with vital supplies and spare parts needed during the global coronavirus pandemic, the International Ship Suppliers & Services Association (ISSA) said.
Nautilus flags UK Government support measures for members
Nautilus has joined forces with the RMT and the UK Chamber of Shipping to demand clarity over specific measures to support the maritime industry from UK Shipping Minister Kelly Tolhurst.
MSC to donate ferry as hospital ship to combat Italy's coronavirus crisis
MSC to donate ferry as hospital ship to combat Italy’s coronavirus crisis
Surge in unpaid wages as pandemic spreads
There has been a spike in unscrupulous operators withholding wages to seafarers since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to UK-based charity Human Rights at Sea (HRAS).
Nautilus emergency helpline spike in calls due to members' coronavirus concerns
The Nautilus 24/7 emergency helpline service has seen a rapid increase in the number of calls coming into the helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic.