Hans Infomatic successfully hosted the first-ever AI-focused hackathon for the logistics industry, titled ‘Algnite..Code The Future 2024,’ to bring together software developers and industry experts to explore the transformative role of AI in logistics operations, aiming to boost business efficiency and operational agility. Parvinder Singh, MD, Hans Infomatic along with two other directors, Tajinder Kaur and Padma Handa graced the occasion. Singh also gave a welcome speech and shared the company’s vision behind this initiative. The hackathon featured talented software developers from various regions who showcased their coding skills, building cutting-edge AI applications tailored to the logistics sector. The event was moderated by Rajesh Kumar, General Manager of Hans Infomatic, while Ankush Tyagi, Software Development Manager at Ericsson (Austin, Texas), and Jivtesh Singh, Backend Developer at IBM (Austin, Texas), served as judges to evaluate the innovative AI solutions presented. The event kicked off with discussions on the future potential of AI applications in streamlining logistics processes and optimising supply chain management. Developers competed to craft the best AI-driven solutions for enhancing operational efficiency in areas such as shipment tracking, inventory management, and predictive analytics.

To explore how the supply chain of tomorrow will be shaped by embracing cutting-edge technologies and prioritising environmental responsibility, the International Supply Chain & Logistics Summit (ISCL) 2024 is all set to be held on 4th and 5 October at Hotel Pride Plaza Aerocity, New Delhi, India. The ISCL 2024 aims to be a premier forum for the discussion and dissemination of the latest advancements, strategies, and best practices in the field of supply chain and logistics, focusing on the theme “Next Generation Logistics: Smart, Resilient, Sustainable.” The primary objective of ISCL 2024 is to create a global platform to showcase supply chain and logistics standards, best practices, innovations, and technology. The summit will bring together international leaders, professionals, regulators, academics, consultants, and other stakeholders for cross-cultural learning and the sharing of knowledge, aiming to enhance the efficiency and resilience of global supply chains. The event is supported by the Association of Supply Chain Professionals.

The Domestic Air Cargo Agents Association of India (DACAAI) members held a meeting with Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to discuss regarding the increasing congestion and hikes in handling charges at the airport terminals across the country for domestic cargo movement. “According to the AERA, there’s a regulatory body for commercials, but there’s no official body to monitor the performance of the cargo terminals, or to ensure seamless domestic cargo movement. The domestic cargo agents are pleading the airport authorities to help move the cargo, which, is due to congestion getting delayed despite the customers paying high freight rates for faster deliveries. In this regard, the enraged agents are urging for a fast and concrete solution to this quagmire.”  

Allcargo Gati announced a 10.2% average General Price Increase (GPI) effective from January 1, 2025, for its Express Distribution services. This is the first price revision since Allcargo Logistics Limited’s strategic acquisition of Gati in 2019, driven by the necessity to align pricing with ongoing operational investments and maintain high standards of service quality. The GPI will help offset the significant increase in costs over the years, taking into consideration inflation, administrative costs related to regulatory and security measures, enabling further investment in infrastructure and technological advancements.  New customers who sign up between October 1 and December 31, 2024, will have the GPI excluded. Ketan Kulkarni, Deputy Managing Director, Gati Express and Supply Chain Pvt. Limited. (GESCPL), said, “At Allcargo Gati, our primary objective is to provide exceptional logistics solutions with unmatched reliability and efficiency. This price revision is a strategic response to the evolving economic environment. Amid rising fuel costs and inflationary pressures, this move is essential to maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect. The revised pricing will allow us to further invest in infrastructure and technological advancements enabling us to be well-positioned to meet the increasing demands of our clients across diverse regions.”

Logicap Management Ltd has entered into a joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate Capital (MEC) for the development of contemporary industrial and logistical solutions in the strategic industrial areas of India. The seed portfolio now encompasses planned and potential facilities in the National Capital Region of Delhi, intending to develop standard, eco-friendly facilities that serve industries ranging from basic manufacturing to rapidly developing e-commerce and information technologies. The starting portfolio of the joint venture comprises two mega units located in Gurgaon, Haryana in the NCR area. They are intended for various sectors from classic production to online sales. All of the facilities have been leased out immediately after their completion  in 2021 and early 2022. Situated entirely on premier transport corridors linking to industrial hubs, these assets will be relevant for rising supply chain demands in India.

NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) announces the launch of Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) Hackathon 2.0, a competitive event aimed at fostering innovation and developing digital solutions to tackle pressing challenges in the logistics industry. The Hackathon was officially launched at an event held under the chairmanship of Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur, Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), at Vanijya Bhawan. The launch event witnessed more than 1800 attendees joining the kick-off physically and virtually, reflecting widespread industry interest in the initiative. Hackathon 2.0 marks a significant step in leveraging innovation and technology to reshape and streamline India’s logistics and supply chain sector. Building on the success of ULIP Hackathon 1.0, which resulted in the development of cutting-edge solutions, Hackathon 2.0 invites developers, start-ups, and industry players to come together once again. The focus of this year’s hackathon is on addressing key logistics challenges such as sustainability, complex supply chain processes, unified documentation, and multimodal logistics optimization. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur, said, “We are excited to launch ULIP Hackathon 2.0, an initiative that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. With the tremendous success of Hackathon 1.0, we are confident that this year’s event will generate even more innovative solutions to shape the future of India’s logistics ecosystem.” As part of its ongoing commitment to transforming the logistics sector, NLDSL also announced the launch of the Track Your Transport (TYT) application powered by ULIP. This app is designed to empower small-scale transporters and traders by addressing various facets of logistics management, from providing tracking of cargo via all modes to verification of vehicles and drivers.  TYT eliminates the need for heavy IT …

Robinsons Global Logistics Solutions (RGL) has inked a deal with IndoSpace to lease a 30,000 sq. ft. sustainable Grade A warehouse in Bavla, an industrial area situated in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. This lease for five years represents a key milestone in RGL’s expansion plan. The park adds to RGL’s footprint of over one million sq. ft of warehousing space across India. Located in the thriving industrial hub of Bavla, this warehouse is equipped with cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, the facility is primed to optimize operations for customers across sectors, including FMCG, automotive, retail, e-commerce, edtech, and more. It underscores RGL’s drive to integrate top-tier infrastructure with environmental responsibility. With a total land parcel of 50 acres, the industrial and logistics park at Bavla is in proximity (15 km) to the Changodar industrial area, which is the largest and most preferred industrial location of Ahmedabad. The park also offers good accessibility to the major ports of Kandla and Mundra (300-350 km), making it well-connected via multi-modal transport to the consumption markets of the neighbouring states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

The State government is set to sign a ‘Letter of Intent’ with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) for the establishment of the Goa Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Logistics, says reports.  This agreement was formalised during the 10th edition of the CII Goa Logistics Conference recently. The aim is to advance Goa’s logistics sector, a key pillar of the State’s economic growth strategy. The CoE will play a crucial role in implementing the recently launched Logistics Policy, driving the strategic development of logistics infrastructure, enhancing policy support, and facilitating capacity building within the sector in Goa.

The Indian Railways has unveiled the first look of the Vande Cargo Train, a significant advancement in the country’s logistics and transportation sector. This innovative freight train aims to revolutionise the way parcels are transported, drawing inspiration from the efficiency of air travel. With the promise of streamlined delivery processes akin to that of an airplane, the Vande Cargo Train is set to enhance the movement of goods across the nation. The introduction of the Vande Cargo Train comes on the heels of several other ambitious projects by the Indian Railways, including the Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Train, and Vande Metro Train.

Nihar Parida, Air Cargo Consultant says, “ In the Indian context, expanding the Open Sky Policy for air cargo is an essential step toward improving the nation’s logistics network, boosting export efficiency, and enhancing global competitiveness. It aligns well with India’s broader economic ambitions and has the potential to transform India into a key player in global air cargo logistics, provided there is concurrent investment in infrastructure and technology.” He adds, At the same time India should carefully consider the scope of an Open Sky Policy for air cargo, balancing the potential benefits of increased efficiency and global connectivity with the risks of market saturation, security concerns, and the need to protect domestic airlines and infrastructure. A more calibrated approach—allowing selective access to foreign airlines, strengthening domestic infrastructure, and ensuring national security—may be a wiser strategy for fostering long-term growth in the air cargo sector. India should keep in Mind: 1. Impact on Domestic Airlines and Logistics Companies 2. Risk of Overcapacity and Market Saturation 3. Security Concerns 4. Underdeveloped Infrastructure 5. Regulatory and Operational Complexities 6. Economic Imbalance a. Asymmetrical Trade Benefits: Many foreign airlines may use Indian airports as hubs to transport cargo between other countries, rather than primarily serving Indian exporters or importers. This may not result in significant economic benefits for India in terms of job creation or local investment. b. Revenue Loss: If Indian airlines lose market share to foreign competitors, it could result in a loss of revenue for the domestic aviation industry and reduce the potential for job growth within India. 7. Strategic Economic Protection: Some degree of protectionism may be necessary to ensure that key industries, such as logistics and aviation, remain …