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Unlocking Insights monthly spotlight

Capacity constraints and port disruptions continue to impact exports from the Indian subcontinent.

Demand from India continues to exceed available vessel capacity, while congestion, equipment shortages and schedule disruption are reducing reliability across the region. Carriers are extending booking windows, limiting available space and applying additional surcharges. Market conditions are expected to remain constrained through August.

On September 2, Kuehne+Nagel hosted a webinar titled “India supply chains under pressure” to discuss those changes and how customers should prepare themselves.

Kuehne+Nagel's experts Sara Vollmer, SVP Global Sea Logistics Customer Engagement and Events, and Satyam Magon, Cluster Head Sea Logistics, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, summarised how those changes impact on the markets that have businesses with India, and the message is clear: prepare ahead and be ready.

Ready to learn more?

Watch our webinar recording and read our key takeaways below.

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Key takeaways

Capacity remains tight across major trade lanes

Carrier service suspensions, blank sailings, vessel redeployments, and extended routing via the Cape of Good Hope continue to reduce available space and limit booking opportunities. Shippers should anticipate longer booking lead times and an increased risk of cargo rollovers.

Operational disruptions are impacting supply chain reliability

Congestion at ports and transshipment hubs, monsoon-related challenges, and recent disruptions such as the Mundra empty container yard strike are creating delays throughout the supply chain. Even when capacity is secured, shipments may encounter extended transit times.

Equipment availability remains a concern

Container shortages continue to affect key ports and inland locations, particularly for export cargo. In today's market, cargo readiness does not always guarantee equipment availability.

Demand continues to outpace supply

Strong export demand, inventory replenishment strategies, and sourcing diversification are driving earlier-than-usual booking activity, placing additional pressure on available capacity. 

What successful shippers are doing 

Organisations managing disruption most effectively are: 

  • Forecasting demand and shipment requirements further in advance. 

  • Building flexibility into routing and carrier selection. 

  • Splitting larger shipment volumes across multiple sailings where possible. 

  • Maintaining inventory buffers to accommodate schedule variability. 

  • Making decisions quickly when capacity and alternative solutions become available. 

Need support navigating current market conditions?

Understanding market disruption is only part of the challenge. Applying that insight to specific trade lanes, inventory strategies and transportation decisions is where value is created.

Our Sea Logistics experts help customers translate market developments into practical supply chain actions tailored to their business.

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