Committed to developing cutting- edge solutions, GMR Group recently launched the Robotics Centre of Excellence (CoE) as part of the expansion of GMR Innovex. The GMR Innovex- Robotics Centre of Excellence (COE) will serve as a hub for innovation, research and development and collaboration in the field of robotics. The Robotics COE will identify and incubate startups working in the field of robotics and co-develop innovative robotic products for the airport and aviation eco-system. It will drive innovation and provide necessary infrastructure, a specially designed robotic lab to the robotic startups, drive thought leadership and collaboration with industry partners, leverage expertise and invest in potential startups. Chief Guest Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana Government, Mrs. Rama Devi Lanka, Director, Emerging Technologies, Govt Of Telangana, Mr. SGK Kishore -Executive Director – South Airports and Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Group, Mr. Hari Panicker – CEO-Business Integration Airports(Business Chairman Office) GMR Group, Mr. Pradeep Panicker CEO, GHIAL and Mr. GRK Babu – CFO, GMR Group graced the occasion. Speaking of the Telangana Government initiative in supporting the robotics eco system, Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) Departments of the Telangana Government said, “ With the ever- evolving technology solutions, robotics technology around the world has attracted various industries like never before. With the thriving robotics eco- system, the government has taken several initiatives towards developing the thriving robotics technology by providing a platform for the startups, industry players and other potential entities working in the robotics and automation space. The government hopes to attract more investment, experts and innovation in …

Hermes Logistics Technologies (HLT) is set to upgrade long-term customer Groundforce Portugal to its latest cloud-based Hermes 5 cargo management system, Hermes Software as a Service (SaaS), bringing major enhancements to security and increasing the speed, volume, and accuracy of cargo processing at three of the handler’s Portuguese stations. Groundforce Portugal’s operations at Lisbon, Porto, and Funchal airports will all benefit from the migration to Hermes SaaS, with Faro station expected to follow in the near future. The upgrade represents the expansion of a long-term collaboration between HLT and Groundforce Portugal, the Portuguese leader for ground handling services and HLT customer of more than fifteen years. “Hermes SaaS is our best software solution to date, representing the optimal way to host a cargo management system, allowing Groundforce Portugal to focus on their core business whilst benefiting from better system performance at a lower cost,” said Yuval Baruch, Chief Executive Officer, HLT. “The system upgrade pays close attention to improving Groundforce Portugal’s messaging, with the solution customised to meet specific local requirements to increase the speed, volume and accuracy of the data that is processed.” The migration of the cargo management system from a server to the cloud will bring increased security for Groundforce Portugal, which will also benefit from HLT’s full NG ecosystem, a collection of applications including NG Business Intelligence and Datalakes, Track and Trace, and NG Landside Management. Key highlights of Hermes SaaS include a new import flight monitor, which provides a comprehensive overview of the status of each import flight, as well as one-button manual NOTOC, which can be prepared before a shipment has been loaded. “Our long-standing use of Hermes’ software has proven to be stable, …

GEODIS has has strengthened its air freight temperature-controlled pharma shipments capabilities in Asia Pacific and Middle East (APAC&ME) with the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification. The certification covers multiple locations in China (PVG), Indonesia (CGK), India (DEL & BOM), South Korea (ICN), Thailand (BKK), United Arab Emirates (DXB) and Singapore (SIN). This certification supports GEODIS’ strategic goals of establishing Pharma Healthcare as a key organizational vertical and expanding its global network by accrediting sites in numerous countries throughout the APAC region. According to Onno Boots, Regional President and CEO of GEODIS for APAC and Middle East, “With the CEIV Pharma accreditation, we can ensure our customers of our competence and commitment to handle pharmaceutical temperature-sensitive products with the utmost care and attention. Pharmaceutical businesses need to find logistics solutions that are dependable and effective, and GEODIS is in a perfect position to offer them the best services in the area.” This series of certifications is a reflection of the tremendous investment GEODIS has made in guaranteeing the highest levels of quality and compliance in its Pharma Healthcare capabilities. “Without a doubt, we are responding to the healthcare industry’s demand for options in the selection of global supply chain partners and we look forward to establishing GEODIS as a key service provider for pharma and healthcare companies, particularly in Asia Pacific and Middle East where we see the key hubs of production and distribution”, adds Boots. The CEIV Pharma certification for GEODIS further demonstrates its dedication to offering customers supply chain transparency and visibility. GEODIS can provide customers with shipment location and temperature data using GPS data loggers controlled by a control tower, enabling …

ECU Worldwide’s digital logistics platform – ECU360, has launched a new digital air freight service to streamline the shipping process for businesses of all sizes. The service is yet another value-added offering to ECU360’s customers based in US, leveraging technology to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of air freight operations. ECU Worldwide has already provided air freight services to 780 US customers, exporting to 310 airports across 174 countries. The company has built a platform that streamlines the entire air freight process, from Quoting to Booking, including real-time tracking and live schedules. Through this latest technology, the company aims to offer a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective way to move goods globally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, air freight accounts for approximately 35% of the total value of U.S. international shipments. However, traditional air freight processes can be slow, lack efficiency, and are costly, making it challenging for businesses to move their goods quickly and cost-effectively. Jitesh Shetty, Global Head – ECU360, ECU Worldwide, said, “With the success of Domestic Trucking service, we are confident that our new digital air freight service will be a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline their shipping process and also have an alternate shipping medium as an option. With the gaping opportunity in the US market, opening air freight services to customers on ECU Worldwide’s digital logistics platform – ECU360 is the right strategic move, as this will fulfil the urgent needs of businesses to transport high-value equipment, perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and other time-sensitive cargo quickly and efficiently, contributing to the growth of various industries and the U.S. economy. We are strong on LCL network and will soon launch air imports …

Qatar Airways Cargo expands cargo network as the carrier has introduced direct freighter service from Bogotá, capital of Colombia to Dallas Fort Worth in Texas. The once weekly Boeing 777 freighter departs from Bogota on Mondays and flies to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The freighter offers close to 100 tonnes of cargo capacity and will be transporting perishables like flowers, fruits, vegetables, coffee, as well as live animals, machinery and other general cargo destined for DFW. Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said: “The Americas is highly important for us and we have a strong presence in the region. Through this enhancement on the route, we are pleased to grow our existing partnership with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Our customers in DFW now benefit from a direct freighter service to uplift perishables and other cargo directly from Colombia.” John Ackerman, EVP of Global Strategy and Development at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport added: “Qatar’s service direct from Bogota to DFW reduces transit times for high-quality perishable goods by two to three days, extending shelf life for retailers and providing fresher products for consumers. This route adds a vital link to South American markets, enhances our global air cargo network and strengthens our ability to flow goods between Latin America and Asia.” Since the first Boeing 777 freighter took off from Doha to Chicago in August 2010, Qatar Airways Cargo has expanded its network across several countries in the American continent. The carrier serves the Americas with freighters as well as belly-hold cargo flights, flying to 14 freighter destinations and 14 belly-hold cargo destinations. The world’s leading cargo carrier offers more than 5,300 metric tonnes of …

EXZOD India is expected to deliver an additional 10 lakh pallets in the next three years from the current delivery of over 8 lakh pallets, which would take the company’s pallets count to 18 lakhs and make the company a leading pallet manufacturer in the country. EXZOD will facilitate this delivery from four of its manufacturing plants located in Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana and Telangana which are equipped with state-of-the-art automatic pallet manufacturing machines. This makes the company pan India pallet manufacturing and enhances the delivery and servicing capabilities of the company. This would further enable the company to consolidate its position to sign large brands, logistic parks and other 4 PL companies who have pan India presence and this would act as an entry barrier for new entrants. According to Nitin Kalla, founder & MD, EXZOD India, “We foresee a huge demand for pallets from a cross-section of industrial sectors be it pharma, automobile, FMCG, logistics, supply chain and other industries. Our early estimates indicate that over 10 lakh pallets will be required in the next three years. We are confident of meeting this demand.” Kalla further adds, “As Indian businesses get integrated with global supply chains, there is a huge potential from Indian companies, especially Small and Medium Enterprises to scale up and this itself will lead to a demand in pallets.”

Air cargo digital marketplaces have added new features making it possible for logistics companies managing imports to instantly book export shipments from agents in another country without the hassle and time-zone delays of shopping quotes by phone and email. It’s another level of connectivity for online booking portals that enable freight forwarders to search, compare and book cargo space across multiple airlines in real time. The simplified booking process is valued by logistics professionals, but some worry they could lose business if multilateral distribution channels open their systems to non-accredited intermediaries or directly to cargo owners themselves, said reports. Cargo.one announced an upgrade designed to streamline freight forwarders’ overseas bookings that require a partner to execute. WebCargo, a Freightos company, last week said that airfreight wholesalers in China for the first time can now sell space to freight agents just like 33 airline partners. The third-party platforms, along with rival CargoAI, allow airlines to market their capacity in one place. Forwarders can quickly compare live rates and availability and then electronically book shipments — much like travelers shop for airline seats, hotels and rental cars on Kayak or Priceline. The advantage of automatically connecting forwarders’ transportation management systems with airline reservation systems is more predictable, transparent pricing and capacity information that can be confirmed instantly compared to shopping static rates, added various reports.

Coldman Logistics announces the commencement of its new all purpose warehouse of 9,000 Pallets capacity near JNPT Port, with this launch Coldman logistics is now available at 14 cities with 1,00,000+ Pallets position across the country, said company’s official Linkedin Post. “Our new facility is equipped with the latest technology, providing us with the capacity to store more products and streamline our operations. This expansion is a result of our dedication to providing exceptional service to our customers and our commitment to meeting your evolving needs. The warehouse is strategically located just 11 KM away from JNPT Port, making it easier for us to access major transportation routes, EXIM cargos ultimately resulting in faster and more reliable deliveries. Our new facility is an environmentally conscious facility, with sustainable practices implemented throughout our operations. This includes energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and an efficient use of resources, which aligns with our company’s commitment to sustainability. We continue to offer our customers, the same high-quality products and services that is synonymous with our name, but with improved efficiency and speed. We are grateful for your continued trust in our brand, and we look forward to serving you from our new facility,” the post added.

India’s ecommerce logistics industry is set to exceed 10 billion parcels by FY28, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants. The industry recorded over 4 billion parcels in FY23, with new categories, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, and continued growth in Tier II and beyond cities driving the growth. The report also noted that while the e-logistics market saw increased competition and pressure on yields from ecommerce players, the long-term outlook for the industry remained positive. The overall ecommerce logistics opportunity is projected to grow at a minimum compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20%, with the D2C segment emerging as a strong growth area. D2C brands, including online-first new-age brands from Indian players, are expected to grow overall GMV at 35% in the next few years. A total of $33 billion of GMV is expected to be generated from D2C brands across all channels by CY27, the report noted, opening up an opportunity for logistics players with relevant and customised offerings for D2C brands. The report identified Delhivery as the largest player in the e-logistics industry, offering a wide range of services for D2C brands and a fast-growing non-ecommerce business that makes it more resilient in the face of recent macro trends in the ecommerce space.

Cathay Cargo has enhanced its integrated mail platform with Cathay Mail, a refined digital solution that re-envisages the mail-shipment process, generating greater transparency for post offices and providing the track-and-trace visibility their customers expect. With Cathay Mail, Cathay Cargo is able to provide a superior customer experience that better caters to the requirements of post offices for shipment visibility, reliability and speed. Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Cathay Mail highlights how we have adapted technology and digitalisation to offer real benefits to our customers. By fully integrating mail-handling functions with our cargo operations and expertise, our innovative new mail solution provides a sophisticated suite of tools and facilities to support our postal partners.” Cathay Cargo’s refreshed “mail as cargo” solution integrates mail-handling data with air cargo systems using the PAWB – the postal air waybill. This use of electronic data interchange (EDI) technology removes much of the previous shipment paperwork and gives both origin and destination post offices, and designated operators, more visibility of shipments down to mail bag (or “receptacle”) level, allowing them to offer package-level track-and-trace visibility to e-commerce shippers. The information also enables Cathay Cargo to manage capacity against actual volumes of mail on flights, so it can make allowances for surges in ad hoc demand or make unused space available for other cargo. There is an additional benefit for mail heading to Europe where, by making the information available in advance, mail shipments will be compliant with the European Union’s new ICS2 customs requirements, which are being introduced this year. Thanks to the digital data available from the PAWB, it is now easier not only to reconcile shipments for billing, but also to measure performance. Cathay …