<span style="color: #222222;">Against the drop in Export-Import (EXIM) cargo due to supply chain disruptions on account of the COVID-19, the 12 major ports of the country have been asked to defer the lease fee, waive rental and penalties. A Shipping Ministry official said, the decision is aimed at boosting supply chain logistics. The move comes as a great relief to the shipping liners, exporters, importers and logistics providers impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.<br />''<br />''The official said that it has also been decided that no penal charges, demurrages, detention charges, dwell-time charges, penal berth hire charges, performance-related penalties are levied on any port user for any delay in berthing, loading, unloading operations or evacuation, arrival of cargo during the lockdown period plus 30 days recovery period.</span><br />