TVS Industrial & Logistics Parks (TVS ILP) has penetrated deeper into the east market with the recent acquisition of a new state-of-the-art industrial facility in Siliguri, West Bengal. Spanning 1.40 lakh sq. ft. on a 5.66-acre plot in Fulbari, this new facility marks TVS ILP as the first major developer to establish a presence in the city, solidifying its role as a pioneer in delivering Grade A industrial infrastructure across the country. Siliguri, a major Tier 2 city in West Bengal, straddles the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts and serves as the ‘Gateway of North-East India’. Traditionally known for its tea, timber, and tourism industries, Siliguri has seen rapid growth in transportation and logistics, making it an essential hub for trade and industrial operations. Its location on the Eastern Corridor and access to NH 27 solidify its position as a key logistics and industrial hub. TVS ILP’s new Siliguri Park is designed with a focus on operational efficiency and flexibility. It currently hosts a leading e-commerce player and offers build-to-suit options, ensuring that the facility can accommodate a variety of business requirements. The region has a wide array of fast developing industries like pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and retail boosting the demand for high quality and strategic supply chain solutions and logistical infrastructure. The facility by TVS ILP features pre-engineered structures, ample parking, and modern amenities designed to provide reliable, efficient warehousing solutions best-suited for businesses in Siliguri and beyond. The new facility’s strategic location offers outstanding connectivity making it easy for clients to facilitate their customer needs.

Allcargo Group plans to establish a logistics park in the Jhajjar area of Haryana. The project will include a free trade warehousing zone, a domestic tariff area, a rail-connected private freight terminal that serves railway cargo transit, and other associated businesses. Additionally, it will be equipped to manage contract logistics services for both inbound and outbound travel. “The establishment of a logistics park in Haryana has been approved in principle by Allcargo. Subject to the required regulatory permissions and rail connectivity, the facility should be operating by 2018, according to the company statement. About 200 acres of freehold agricultural land near the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) has been selected by the corporation for the development of the aforementioned project, said reports.

Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) has joined Cargo iQ as a new strategic associate partner, specialising in digitalisation and supporting digital reporting capabilities. The Partnership will further Cargo iQ’s ambitions to ensure air cargo quality standards are met and continuously improved through data reporting and collaboration. As a Strategic Associate member, Kale will be offering insight to help members optimise their digital capabilities and improve stakeholders’ communication, in line with Cargo iQ quality standards. “As facilitators of collaboration and drivers of digitilisation for the global air cargo industry, it is great to work with Kale as a strategic partner,” said Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director, Cargo iQ. “Their proven expertise in helping logistics export/import stakeholders achieve better coordination, visibility, resource optimisation, and rapid information exchange, will enable more industry stakeholders to improve process quality across their operations.” “We are proud to work with Cargo iQ, to help improve the air cargo industry through collaboration and bring more digital solutions to the community,” said Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions. “Our team is excited to work with Cargo iQ especially with our cargo community systems and expertise in digital harmonisation that support the quality standards Cargo iQ continuously improving.”  

The domestic road logistics industry is expected to register a growth of up to 9 per cent in revenues in the ongoing 2024-25 financial year, according to ICRA. The organised road logistics sector witnessed a growth of 4.6 per cent in the 2023-24 fiscal year, the rating agency stated. As per ICR, the industry logged a revenue of ₹23,273 crore in FY24. “ICRA expects the revenues of the Indian road logistics industry to grow by a moderate 6-9 percent year-on-year (y-o-y) in FY25,” it said. The agency further said it also maintains a stable outlook for the sector, fuelled by various government measures and policies in favour of the sector on expectations of good demand outlook from segments like e-commerce, FMCG, retail, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial goods. Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President & Co-Group Head of Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said, “In FY24, the growth was subdued on account of a relatively muted demand amid high inflation, an uneven monsoon, a relatively lacklustre festive season and the rising interest rate regime.” “We expect the industry operating profit margins to remain in the range of 11-12 percent in FY25, with the organised players expected to maintain the pricing premium amid an overall inflationary cost scenario,” he said.

Supply chain software firm e2open will embed air cargo booking portal WebCargo into its Transport Management System (TMS) to expand its offering. The partnership means that freight forwarders that use e2open’s TMS will now be able to view airfreight rates and make bookings on WebCargo. WebCargo said that the real-time booking and visibility tools would help forwarders develop faster workflows, increase productivity and reduce complexity. Freight forwarder Crane Worldwide has been testing the new option. Megan Kelley, vice president of enterprise applications at Crane, said: “It will cut down on manual entry and give our team real-time access to rates and bookings within the TMS, helping us respond faster to client needs and eliminate the back-and-forth that used to slow us down.” Pawan Joshi, executive vice president of products and strategy at e2open, added: “With real-time access to dynamic rates and the ability to instantly book air cargo, [forwaders] can focus on what matters most—getting shipments to customers on time, without the hassle.” Zvi Schreiber, founder and chief executive of WebCargo parent Freightos, added: “We’re proud to deliver better cargo pricing and booking to our global forwarders wherever they work, whether it’s through our APIs for their own systems, with integrations to third-party solutions, or on our platform.”

Sandeep Kulkarni, Chief Operating Officer, Allcargo Gati says, “The adoption of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) marked significant progress toward reducing carbon emissions. This effort aligns with our Net Zero aspirations and commitment to eco-friendly practices. Sustainability remains integral to our roadmap, shaping our journey through 2025 and beyond. Our expansive pan-India network, covering 99% of the PIN codes, continues to be a key enabler. It empowers us to cater to diverse markets, with a strong emphasis on MSME clusters in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, supported by strategically located service delivery points. Additionally, we prioritised skill development, particularly in digital competencies, to empower our workforce and ensure future readiness. We are poised to build on these foundations, fostering a more agile, innovative, and customer-centric logistics ecosystem. With a steadfast focus on people, technology, sustainability, and our extensive network, we are ready to drive transformative change in the logistics sector.”

Grégory Goba-Blé, Head of UPS, India and Director of MOVIN Express shares, “We are expecting see more SMB clusters emerge from tier 2 & 3 cities. They will need robust digital connectivity and infrastructure to connect them to global supply chains. We’re looking at all opportunities to drive higher productivity and we will continue to lean into our customer-first, people-led, innovation-driven strategy. It’s about the combined power of our offerings to make logistics simple, accessible, and harmonized for customers. We recently opened a specialised healthcare-focused cross-docking facility in Hyderabad. It’s pharma grade with freight forwarding capabilities and is equipped with advanced temperature control capabilities to improve efficiency.”

Akash Agrawal, Vice President – Freight Forwarding – Middle East, North Africa and Subcontinent, DP World says, “With India implementing FTAs with nations like Japan, Korea, Singapore, and CEPA with the UAE, trade strategies are driving economic growth. As trade thrives, efficient freight forwarding becomes essential for success. DP World with its global network helps businesses navigate complex supply chains, enhancing operational efficiency and enabling rapid scaling. Our approach supports both emerging businesses and established corporates, ensuring they thrive in a competitive global market. Looking ahead, we remain committed to progress, creating value, and leading the way in the evolving supply chain landscape.”

Satyaki Raghunath, COO, Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) says, “In 2025 we will be launching major infrastructure projects, including a dedicated domestic cargo terminal and a comprehensive logistics park. These initiatives will increase capacity, streamline operations, and support quicker cargo movements at BLR Airport. Our Airport Cargo Community System, CargobyBLR, will continue to drive digital integration, enhancing supply chain visibility and reducing cargo processing times by 20%. These projects aim to bolster airport’s role in regional and national logistics, creating a more resilient and connected cargo ecosystem. With sustainability and technology as core drivers, we’re committed to welcoming 2025 with enhanced infrastructure, connectivity, efficiency, and a greener approach to air cargo in the region.”  

PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industries (PHDCCI), along with Radeecal communications & IFW Heidelberg Expo GmbH & GATE, Germany is all set to organise the 3rd Edition of International Expo & Summit – IndiAirport Expo 2024 from November 26-28, 2024 in New Delhi. Based on the success of the previous 2 editions, IndiAirport Expo 2024 –an International Exhibition & Conclave is focusing on airports and all its ancillary products & services, MRO industry & aviation technology, infrastructure, advancement, facilities, services & ground handling equipment and other relevant industries.