Apparel exporters have been facing container shortage challenge since more than last one year and industry still hasn’t found its viable solution.
To meet the delivery schedule as per the commitment made with buyers, the exporters are left with no option than resorting to air shipment and incurring higher charges.
The apparel industry has urged the Government to solve the issue on priority.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways is representing Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) to address the issues.
Raja M. Shanmugham, President, TEA said that the apparel exporters are now facing twin issues of container shortage as well as increase in shipping cost (that has almost doubled) and pointed out that the issue has emerged at a time when the knitwear exports from Tirupur have started picking up further to the opening of US and EU Markets.
He also added that the price increase is all due to pandemic-induced impact like shortage of labour, congestion at ports and quarantined cargo.