India targets October 2026 deadline to clear stalled port containers

The Indian government has launched a nationwide initiative to clear stalled and long-pending containers at ports, setting an October 31, 2026, deadline for completion. The drive aims to reduce port congestion, free up storage space, and improve the movement of import and export cargo through maritime gateways.

To facilitate these logistics improvements, the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) has reached a milestone of tracking 10 crore EXIM containers since its inception in 2016. The platform utilizes RFID-based technology to provide visibility across 19 ports, 32 container terminals, and various inland facilities, including container freight stations and railway stations.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal noted that technology is making logistics more efficient to improve the competitiveness of Indian industry. The LDB 2.0 update, launched in September 2025, has expanded capabilities to include high-seas tracking of export containers and multimodal shipment visibility.