India’s Maritime Regulator Calls for Fair and Transparent Freight Pricing

India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has issued a warning to global shipping lines following complaints from exporters regarding non-transparent and excessive logistics charges in the country’s EXIM trade. Exporters raised concerns about the imposition of multiple ancillary fees — including retrospective war-risk surcharges and additional freight costs — which have significantly increased logistics expenses amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

According to industry representatives, some surcharges have reached up to $4,000 for perishable cargo and about $3,000 per 40-foot container, placing added financial pressure on exporters already navigating volatile global freight markets. In some cases, these charges were reportedly applied retroactively to shipments that had already arrived or departed before the surcharge announcement, triggering strong reactions from the export community.

In response, DG Shipping has urged shipping companies to avoid predatory, opportunistic, or non-transparent pricing practices and ensure that all applicable charges are communicated clearly and in advance to exporters, importers, and logistics stakeholders. The advisory aims to promote fair trade practices, improve cost transparency across the logistics chain, and support ease of doing business in India’s maritime sector.

Industry observers believe the move could strengthen regulatory oversight in maritime logistics, helping prevent arbitrary surcharges while safeguarding the competitiveness of India’s export sector during periods of geopolitical disruption and freight volatility.