Alternative routes from Asia: what businesses choose

The Indian goods market looks quite attractive for companies that import everything from raw materials to certain categories of finished products in 2026. The reasons are generally obvious: a wide selection, a strong industrial base and, importantly, prices that are difficult to compete with.

But logistics are not so straightforward. India is a destination with nuances, and familiar solutions here increasingly often do not give the expected result.

Logistics with India 2026: What to look out for

As before, most shipping goes by sea through large ports like Mumbai, Chennai, Mundra or Kolkata, and the traditional route usually goes through the Suez Canal.

In practice, importers face several things:

• delivery is rarely fast – the guideline is around 45-55 days, sometimes more;
• ports can be “stuck” (heavy traffic), and this affects the entire logistics chain;
• you need to be quite meticulous about documents – mistakes here are costly;
• packaging and labeling sometimes differ from usual standards;
• demand is unstable, with seasonal spikes.

All of this is not critical in itself, but taken together it forces importers to act more cautiously and plan ahead.

Why business is moving away from classic routes

Previously, the logic was simple: the shorter the route, the better. Now the approach is a little different: many companies consciously choose the longer path if it provides more predictability, adaptability, and control.

Why does this happen:

• delays on classic sea routes have become almost commonplace;
• The port infrastructure never fails to cope with the demands;
• Freight rates may vary dramatically;
• the business does not want to depend on one scenario;
• Deadlines are “floating”, and this makes planning difficult.

As a result, there is less focus on speed, more on stability.

What alternatives are used in practice?

Most often we are talking about multimodal cargo transportation from IndiaThat is, when different types of transport are combined – sea, road, rail – depending on the situation.

A typical diagram looks something like this:

• the main part of the route is by sea, with transshipment in Europe;
• alternative ports are used, such as Constanta;
• then the cargo goes by road - this is the most common option;
• sometimes a railway is added if it is more economically beneficial;
• The route can be changed during the process – this is normal practice.

It is worth mentioning LCL (less than or equal to one container). This is when one container is “shared” by several shippers. For small and medium-sized businesses, it is a rather convenient story.

Why is this format so popular today:

• no need to overpay for a full container;
• you can transport small batches;
• convenient to test new suppliers;
• shipments occur regularly;
• easier to manage inventory in the warehouse.

Cargo transportation from India: the role of a logistics partner

In the case of India, many things are decided by details – and often local ones. That is why the presence of Mitridat representative offices in different regions (Asia, Europe, USA) really simplifies the process: issues are closed faster, documents move without unnecessary delays. In local specifics, where there is a human factor and its own rules of the game, such support is sometimes critical.

In general, modern logistics from India is not about the perfect route, but about the ability to adapt: ​​companies combine solutions, change logistics schemes, and work with different transportation formats.

As a result, those who build not the fastest, but the most manageable process will win. This is what makes it possible to work stably and scale the business without unnecessary stress.