Investigation Launched into Rerouted Sugar Shipment from India to Sri Lanka
Authorities in India have launched an investigation into the rerouting of a sugar shipment, originally intended for the Maldives under special concessions, to Sri Lanka.
Indian media reports indicate that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the body responsible for overseeing imports and exports under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is spearheading the probe. The inquiry pertains to a 64,000-tonne sugar shipment exported from India on 25 October at concessional rates designated for the Maldives.
advertisement
Reports suggest that a portion of this shipment was diverted to Sri Lanka, prompting a temporary suspension of sugar exports to the Maldives.
In response to the revelations, Sri Lankan authorities have reportedly withheld clearance for the consignment and initiated their own investigation. Efforts are underway to identify businesses in Sri Lanka that may have purchased the sugar originally earmarked for the Maldives.
According to Indian media, as of October, 80 containers of sugar designated for the Maldives were redirected to Sri Lanka. A bill of lading dated 30 September shows that 270 tonnes of sugar shipped from Nhava Sheva Port in India were listed with Colombo as the final destination.
The invoice for this shipment, valued at USD 156,600, specifies a price of USD 580 per tonne. It names a UAE-based shipper, while the consignee remains unspecified, listed as “to be advised.” A similar invoice, dated 23 September and amounting to USD 1.5 million, also lacks consignee details.
Business sources allege that invoices were altered to divert the shipment to Colombo. Under export regulations, goods cannot be sent to destinations other than those listed in customs clearance and shipping documents. Once goods are cleared by customs, however, consignee details can be modified at the discretion of the shipping company.
Reports further suggest that other consignments from Nhava Sheva Port have been rerouted to Malaysia’s Port Klang.
