Container Corporation of India (Concor) will soon begin coastal movement of goods as part of its multi-modal logistics strategy to offer a cheap, fast, and cleaner mode of transportation, says reports. In June this year, Concor and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) had signed MoU to explore business opportunities for leveraging the advantage of each other’s infrastructure and experience in synergy to offer seamless and cost-effective end-to-end logistics services to customers under a single window. Sanjay Swarup, CMD, Concor stated that coastal shipping is a very eco-friendly mode of transport. The company had launched the coastal shipping services pre-Covid in Jan 2019 and had developed some streams from Gujarat to the South. The service was stopped in 2020 during Covid. “So now we have collaborated with the Shipping Corporation and very soon, we will be starting coastal movement from Gujarat to South India and even from South to the eastern side of the country. So you will hear very soon that we are going to start the coastal movement,” said officials in reports. The MoU will enable SCI’s shipping services to develop Concor’s footprint in overseas locations and also to foray into the field of coastal and inland waterways trade to offer a wide range of customisable logistics solutions for the benefit of trade at large.

        Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has entered into a formal agreement with the Government of Odisha for providing skill development training to the state youth in the aviation sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Directorate of Skill Development and Employment (DSDE), Skill Development and Technical Education Department, aims to enhance aviation training opportunities for aspiring professionals from Odisha. The collaboration comes at a crucial time, with passenger capacity at major Indian airports projected to more than double from 192 million to 420 million in the next four years. Additionally, the fleet size of Indian carriers is expected to nearly triple from 700 to 2,000 aircraft, highlighting the urgent need for skilled aviation professionals. Under this agreement, AISATS will facilitate a rigorous 30-day training program for candidates from Odisha at its established Training Academy in Hyderabad. The program is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills for roles in ramp handling and customer service within airport operations. Admission to the program requires meeting specific educational prerequisites to qualify for the AISATS Training Academy and to undertake training for these specialized roles. Mr. Sanjay Gupta, CEO of AISATS, stated, “This partnership with the Government of Odisha marks a significant aspect in our ongoing commitment to fostering indigenous talent and contributing to the advancement of India’s aviation sector. By providing access to our state-of-the-art training academy in Hyderabad and offering immediate employment opportunities, we aim to cultivate a highly skilled workforce that will be instrumental in shaping the future of airport operations across India. With the projected growth in the aviation sector, which has increased the demand for ground handlers to ensure efficient and …

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has appointed Group Concorde as its General Sales Agent (GSA) across eight countries. This partnership signifies a major expansion for both companies, aiming to enhance cargo operations and customer service in Cambodia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. Over the next three months, Group Concorde will seamlessly assume responsibility for cargo sales operations in these key markets. Leveraging its extensive industry experience and robust network to drive growth and efficiency, Group Concorde will focus on driving growth and enhancing efficiency. This collaboration will amplify IAG Cargo’s market presence providing customers in these regions with streamlined access to IAG Cargo’s expansive network and services. CEO of Group Concorde, Prithviraj Chug, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We are honoured to be appointed as IAG Cargo’s General Sales Agent in these vibrant markets. This opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional cargo solutions and enhance our global network. We look forward to working closely with IAG Cargo to deliver unparalleled service and support to our customers.” As a leader in the air cargo industry, IAG Cargo views this partnership as a pivotal step in strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and Oceania. “Partnering with Group Concorde as our GSA for eight key markets is a strategic move that will allow us to strengthen our presence and ensure we provide customers with the best possible service.” Said IAG Cargo’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Camillo Garcia Cervera. “We aim to offer the best possible service for businesses looking to transport cargo globally, and Group Concorde’s market knowledge and expertise makes them the ideal partner for us.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 13.6% compared to July 2023 levels (14.3% for international operations). This is the eighth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth, with overall levels reaching heights not seen since the record peaks of 2021. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 8.3% compared to July 2023 (10.1% for international operations). This was largely related to the growth in international belly capacity, which rose 12.8% on the strength of passenger markets and balancing the 6.9% growth of international freighter capacity. It should be noted that the increase in belly capacity is the lowest in 40 months whereas the growth in freighter capacity is the highest since an exceptional jump was recorded in January 2024. “Air cargo demand hit record highs year-to-date in July with strong growth across all regions. The air cargo business continues to benefit from growth in global trade, booming e-commerce and capacity constraints on maritime shipping. With the peak season still to come, it is shaping to be a very strong year for air cargo. And airlines have proven adept at navigating political and economic uncertainties to flexibly meet emerging demand trends,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Mumbai Port Sustainability Foundation (MPSF), part of Mumbai Ports Authority has signed an MoU with Classification society DNV to cooperate on activities and projects related to decarbonisation, digitalisation, emissions management, and safety.  The MPSF, through its Centre of Excellence on ESG and circularity, aims to support local ports and maritime companies in the enhancement of their overall sustainability through the adoption of advanced technologies and eco-friendly practices. Under the MoU, DNV will provide MPSF with expert guidance and insights into industry needs, regulatory requirements, technological advancements, as well as safety and quality protocols in the maritime and energy sectors. DNV experts will also work closely with MPSF to explore the commercial potential of low carbon fuel bunkering, storage and transfer, among others. Dr.R.D.Tripathi, CEO of Mumbai Port Sustainability Foundation (MPSF) said, “The joint working of DNV with MPSF through this MoU will facilitate in-depth analysis of issues and innovative solutions for overall sustainability and greening opportunities of the port operation.”

CargoAi announced its strategic partnership with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to offer enhanced airfreight booking capabilities on its innovative platform, CargoMART. This partnership signifies a significant step forward in CargoAi’s mission to shape and connect the freight landscape through innovation. By integrating Singapore Airlines’ airfreight services into CargoMART, CargoAi continues to expand its ecosystem of digital solutions, driving frictionless procurement and payment while promoting sustainability within the industry. With CargoMART’s latest offering, freight forwarders will now have seamless access to Singapore Airlines’ extensive network, enabling them to book airfreight shipments with ease and efficiency. This collaboration not only enhances connectivity but also streamlines operational processes for users, furthering CargoAi’s vision of transforming the air cargo industry. Matt Petot, CEO, CargoAi, said, “We are thrilled to join forces with Singapore Airlines, a global leader in air transportation. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing our users with best-in-class technology and unparalleled access to airfreight services worldwide. Together, we are poised to revolutionize the way air cargo is managed and shipped.”

Samir J Shah, Partner, JBS Jeena Logistics says, “The announcement of govt planning to automate custom processes by 2025 is received with a lot of hope and expectations. Transparency, predictability, speed and compliance, can be trusted two sides of the same coin – with the regulator and user fulfilling each’s role. Correct data filing and compilation will facilitate more risk managed and less intervention clearances. All stakeholders must be sensitive to the learnings of Faceless clearances as well as the erratic hardware, software and connectivity issues. The innovations and developments of CBIC are welcome.”

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling, VCJ Foundation Trust stated, “The SPICED scheme, launched by the Spices Board of India, aims to enhance spice exports and improve cardamom productivity by upgrading post-harvest quality. It will be implemented until FY 2025-26 with a budget of Rs 422.30 crore. The scheme introduces new sub-components like the Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, and promotion of GI spices. It also supports entrepreneurship through Spice Incubation Centres.”

  C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight and President ACAAI said, “India’s spice sector, known for its rich heritage, now faces the challenge of enhancing exports in a competitive global market. The SPICED scheme, with a significant budget of ₹422.30 crore, is a timely initiative that focuses on sustainability, innovation, and value addition. This forward-looking approach will not only boost exports but also strengthen India’s position as a global spice leader. As we gear up for this transformation, the SPICED scheme represents a significant step towards securing India’s leadership in the global spice trade, ensuring that our spices continue to captivate taste buds worldwide.”

Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, World Spice Organisation shares, “Indian spice exports are back on track this year at USD 4.4 billion showing an increase in value and volume of exports after a slight dip in the past financial year. However, the Spices Board has set an ambitious target of USD 10 bn for 2030 and USD 30 billion by 2050. It is essential to establish a long-term plan to broaden India’s market share. This can only be achieved by boosting value addition opportunities, establishing export friendly policies and developing strategy to face the challenges from competing origins.”