A study on analysing and improving dwell time of containers at Indian ports

Abstract

The performance of port infrastructure plays a pivotal role in determining the efficiency and competitiveness of a nation’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem. One of the most critical indicators of this performance is container dwell time, the total time a container remains within the port premises before it is cleared for further movement. High dwell time not only results in congestion and inefficiencies but also escalates costs for port users and undermines India’s position in global maritime trade rankings. This study aims to comprehensively analyze container dwell time across major Indian ports over the past six years, focusing on identifying the key factors contributing to delays and proposing evidence-based strategies for improvement. The research leverages secondary data from government and international sources, including NICDC Logistics Data Services, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Indian Ports Association, UNCTAD, and the World Bank, to examine patterns and benchmark Indian ports against global standards.