US President Donald Trump has announced his decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on goods imported from India along with an unspecified penalty on India for buying Russian oil and weapons starting 1 August.  “Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the year done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the world and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country,” Trum said in a post. Reacting on how the decision will impact the trade, Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “The sudden announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, while higher than anticipated, broadly falls within the 15–20 per cent range that markets had been bracing for. This could well weigh on near-term export competitiveness and trigger currency volatility if sentiment deteriorates. What is more concerning is the penalty clause, which remains unquantified at this stage. However, if the tariffs stay at 25 per cent for an extended period, the impact could be significantly negative. The agricultural and dairy product protections remain primary concerns, as these sectors are politically and economically sensitive for India. Hence, India is negotiating with the US against any tariff reductions on dairy, rice, wheat and genetically modified (GM) crops like corn and soybeans citing the livelihoods of over 700 million rural citizens, including 80 million smallholder dairy farmers. Many Indian exporters are now preparing for the worst. The newly imposed tariff could affect products like gems and jewellery, auto parts, seafood, textiles and chemicals as these are major exports to the US. In 2024, India exported goods worth $87 billion to the US …

Shipway launched its e-commerce logistics report, ShipNotes, which offers data-driven insights into one of the most critical challenges facing Indian e-commerce: Return to Origin (RTO). The analysis is based on millions of D2C brands’ shipments processed through Shipway in FY25. RTO refers to instances where an online order is shipped but fails to reach the customer, resulting in the product being returned to the seller. This phenomenon, often caused by failed delivery attempts, inaccurate addresses, or customer refusal, significantly impacts D2C brands – increasing logistics costs, blocking inventory, and eroding profit margins. The report highlights that less than 2% of prepaid orders are returned, while nearly 26% of the non-prepaid orders are returned, reinforcing that RTO challenges are overwhelmingly concentrated in non-prepaid transactions. Therefore, this edition of ShipNotes focuses exclusively on the trends and drivers behind RTOs for Cash on Delivery (CoD) orders.  

Rajkot International Airport has finally received the formal approval to commence cargo operations through its passenger terminal, as the airport’s dedicated cargo terminal remains under construction. The move comes as a major relief for local silver, gold and imitation jewellery manufacturers, who are among the primary users of air cargo services in the region and were facing difficulties.

Huned Gandhi, Managing Director, Air and Sea Logistics Indian Sub-continent, Dachser India said, “The India-UK FTA is a welcome step towards strengthening the trade between the two economically powerful nations. This important step will create significant opportunities for business growth and pave the way for closer ties in the coming years. For the logistics sector, including players like DACHSER, this is a welcome move that will help us develop this important trade corridor, we already have a robust network of own offices in the UK and we can provide the much-needed logistical support to our values clientele in both the countries. As the agreement moves towards implementation, its benefits are likely to become increasingly visible across the freight sector. Overall, it’s a positive development for the Indian EXIM and logistics community.”

Softlink Academy, the skilling and education initiative of Softlink Global has signed MoU with Globelink WW India. The partnership aims to build a future-ready workforce for freight forwarding, customs brokerage and allied logistics services. The collaboration brings together Softlink’s three decades of expertise in logistics technology with Globelink WW’s extensive operational network and recruitment reach. The joint objective is to deploy job-ready professionals across India, the Middle East and Africa—equipped with practical knowledge and real-world tools. With 26 locations across India and the global footprint of the Globelink Group—spanning 100 offices in 30 countries—Globelink WW offers a powerful platform to deliver world-class freight solutions backed by local experience and global capability.  Under this partnership, Softlink Academy will provide Globelink WW India with access to a certified talent pool drawn from two targeted training programs: LogiLEARN: LogiLEARN integrates logistics technology into academic curriculums, enabling students to graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills by preparing them for mid-level job roles through domain-focused learning and in-depth training on Softlink’s ERP platform, Logi-Sys. LogiSKILL: LogiSKILL provides a strong foundation in logistics operations by equipping participants with the skills needed for entry-level roles such as documentation, customs clearance, and customer service, through focused training on the fundamentals of freight forwarding, CHA processes, and system navigation. All candidates will be assessed and certified across functional modules such as: Documentation and compliance Shipment lifecycle handling Customs clearance procedures Freight and finance operations System-driven reporting and process execution Key Program Elements Include: ERP-based, hands-on training on Softlink’s Logi-Sys platform Job-focused modules for roles like Documentation Executive, Customer Service Agent, and Freight Operations Coordinator Real-time exposure to Globelink’s live operational processes Placement support across Globelink’s 26 Indian …

  To make India a world leader in cargo logistics, several key policy reforms and innovations are essential,” said Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO and MD, Aviapro Logistic Services. He added, “First, logistics costs must be reduced—from the current 13–14 per cent of GDP to global benchmarks of 8–10 per cent —through better multimodal integration and infrastructure upgrades. Continued expansion of dedicated freight corridors and multimodal logistics parks is vital. Simplifying and digitising regulatory procedures, especially customs and clearances, will improve efficiency and reduce delays. Policies should also support seamless movement across states by harmonising taxes, documentation, and toll systems. Private sector participation and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in logistics infrastructure must be encouraged through transparent frameworks. Innovation through adoption of AI, IoT, and blockchain for real-time tracking and supply chain visibility can boost competitiveness. Additionally, skill development and a national logistics workforce strategy are needed to support sectoral growth. Coordinated implementation of the National Logistics Policy with state-level alignment will be crucial to transforming India into a global logistics hub.”

The Karnataka government has identified Karikad near Mangaluru as a key location for developing a world-class multimodal logistics park to facilitate freight movement and industrial growth, said reports. S Selvakumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, said at a Logistics Summit in Mangaluru that Karikad’s strategic proximity to the Mangaluru Port, railway infrastructure and national highways makes it an ideal site. “The park will serve as a crucial node in the state’s logistics corridor, connecting coastal Karnataka with the hinterland,” he noted. He said, “the proposed park is expected to ease freight transport, reduce turnaround time for goods movement and provide dedicated infrastructure to support Karnataka’s growing manufacturing and export sectors.”

  Pithampur industrial hub near Indore is planning to boost its logistics infrastructure with the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) receiving proposals for new private logistics parks. This development comes as the region continues to attract major investment in its rapidly expanding industrial and logistics sectors, said reports. According to reports, prominent investors, including Gateway Distriparks and the Dubai-based Sharaf Group, expressed keen interest in developing logistics parks in the area. Both entities specifically requested approximately 40 acres of land each in proximity to the upcoming Indore-Dhar Railway line, signalling a strategic focus on multimodal connectivity.

The Delhi government is preparing to launch its Logistics and Warehousing Policy 2025, with the draft outlining measures aimed at decongesting the national capital, reducing pollution and improving trade efficiency. The government is exploring dedicated logistics hubs, green freight corridors and technology-driven solutions — initiatives aimed at easing traffic, cutting emissions and enhancing the ease of doing business, reports said.  

India is witnessing unprecedented transformation in its infrastructure and logistics sectors, which is laying a strong foundation for the country’s economic development,” said Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister. Further describing the logistics sector as a game changer for 21st century India, Raksha Mantri said that it has immense opportunities for the youth and will play a key role in building a developed India and called upon the youth to take responsibility in building a developed India. Explaining the importance of logistics, he said that the stronger the logistics services, the stronger our borders remain. When we deliver defence products manufactured in one part of the country or food supplies for soldiers to the border on time, the morale of the border guards becomes strong. Highlighting the government’s initiatives, Shri Rajnath Singh said that initiatives like creating multimodal transport hubs and implementing mission mode schemes have significantly reduced logistics costs and encouraged data-based decision-making. Addressing the event, Union Minister for Railways and Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the transformational changes that have taken place in Indian Railways in the last 11 years. He informed that in the last one year alone, the rail network has expanded by 5,300 km, with tunnel construction reaching a total of 368 km.