APMT's Mumbai terminal is at a critical point in its Fit for the Future project. Berth 1 is closed for vessel operations for six months while infrastructure is dismantled and new cranes are delivered.

The upgrade will increase the terminal's capacity by 10% to 2.18 million TEU. The terminal, also known as Gateway Terminals India (GTI), has invested in 23 container-outreach cranes.

"Completion, on schedule for early September, will see the terminal not only increase capability to handle bigger vessels but also increase efficiency allowing us to turn around our shipping line vessels faster, creating value for end customers," said APMT.

According to Kuehne+Nagel sources, the closure of the berth reduces the capacity of GTI by 50%. Other terminals in the area have seen an increase in volume as a result.

According to India Shipping News, Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals (BMCT) says it is facing "some congestion" due to an increase in export cargo after the closure of the berth and missed sailings caused by events in China. However, it is confident the congestion will clear in 6-8 days.

According to the news outlet, trade sources attribute the congestion to the Centralised Parking Plaza (CPP) instead. This is where factory-stuffed containers are sent for customs clearance before gate-in at the terminal.

According to one source, it can take up to 18 hours to deliver an export container to the terminal and pick up an import container. This would previously take 2 hours, it added.

Nonetheless, the port argues that this is not the case and the congestion is more a result of the berth closure and blank sailings out of China. The terminal said it would deploy more labour and machinery at its yard to manage the congestion.