The Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways has asked ports to allow temporary storage of Middle East-bound cargo as transhipment, and consider waivers or reductions in port charges during the crisis period. The Director General of Shipping, India’s statutory maritime authority, will hold a meeting with ship owners, cargo owners and charterers on Friday Ports have been advised to allow cargoes meant for the Middle East to be stored as transhipment cargoes during the affected period. Port authorities have also been instructed to allocate additional storage space where necessary to accommodate the build-up of such cargoes until normal shipping schedules resume.