“As India grows, and produces more goods, I feel there is going to be a terrific market to take Indian goods outside of India and bring goods into India. Of course, we need to look at the regulatory issues there,” says Ajay Singh, CEO, SpiceJet. “With the increase in the demand for quick transport of goods with overnight deliveries of consumer items, etc., I think that there is going to be a significant market. At SpiceJet, we have separated the cargo into a new company. And we are intending to expand that, fund it separately, expand that space separately. And that’s part of the current restructuring that we are following. By next year and we will have much more to say to cargo,” he adds.    

Allcargo Gati Limited successfully raised Rs. 169.28 crores by way of issue of equity shares through a QIP (Qualified Institutional Placement) in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations. In respect of the Issue, the Fund Raise Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on June 28, 2024, has approved the issue and allotment to successful qualified institutional buyers at the issue price of Rs 101 per Equity Share. QIP saw participation from various investors raising a total amount of Rs 169.28 crores. Pirojshaw (Phil) Sarkari, MD & CEO, Gati Express and Supply Chain Pvt. Limited (GESCPL) said, “We are pleased with the response to our QIP, which underscores investor confidence in our business strategy and market position. The funds raised will strengthen our financial position and support our growth initiatives across key segments. The proceeds from the QIP will be invested towards technology, infrastructure and deleveraging the balance sheet, paving way for strong growth of the company. Allcargo Gati is entering a new growth phase with a sharp focus on superior customer experience through digital innovation. As part of the Allcargo Group, we are steadfast in our commitment to delivering value to our stakeholders and fostering sustainable growth within the logistics sector. Leveraging the Group’s established legacy and leadership, we are well-positioned to achieve sustained long-term growth.”  

Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association (BCBA) recently organized its Annual Conclave 2024 in Mumbai with the theme – Logistics in Amritkaal-Vision 2047, Unleashing new opportunities for transformation under National Logistics Policy (NLP). The inaugural session was graced by Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone – I, Rajesh Pandey, Chief Commissioner of Customs, JNCH, Nhava Sheva, Shyam Jagannathan; Unmesh Sharad Wagh (IRS), Chairman JNPT; Capt. Binesh Kumar Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India; GS Rana Dy. Managing Director, State Bank of India; and Piyush Kumar Shah – Chief Officer & Head of Customs Compliance at Reliance Industries.  They underscored the pivotal role which the customs brokers play as an extension of the Customs Department – a testament to their importance is that through brokers 90% of trade clears goods in India. Wagh focused on the infrastructure buildup and the ambitious Amritkaal vision 2047 – including the construction of Vadhwan port and the exponential growth we expect for India. Rana highlighted the golden opportunities that SBI provides to businesses in the EXIM space. BCBA also signed an MOU to unlock all the services that SBI provides to SME’s through BCBA members. Shah rounded off the session by shedding his experience on the enhanced facilitation, and the opportunities available in India. “The Logistics Conclave 2024 marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of our vision and mission. We extend a heartfelt invitation to all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey towards a developed India, epitomizing ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and patronizing ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ thereby achieving resilience in logistics,” said Dushyant Mulani, President, BCBA. As torchbearers of the EXIM industry, BCBA remains steadfast in its commitment …

The Kolkata Container Freight Station (CFS) of Balmer Lawrie & Co witnessed the maiden journey of the ‘Port Link Express’ export train, from its premises to Haldia port. The ‘Port Link Express’ is a cost-effective and eco-friendly land bridge initiative that will enhance trade logistics in the Eastern Region. The export train was flagged off by senior officials of Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, MSC Line, Hind Terminals Pvt. Ltd., Electrosteel Castings Ltd. and Asst. Commissioner of Customs. The debut export train, operated by Hind Terminals carried 90 export TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of the MSC Line, marking a milestone in logistics in the Haldia-Kolkata-Haldia sector.  The ‘Port Link Express’ is expected to significantly boost trade efficiency by enabling 2 to 3 trains per week to move between Haldia port and Balmer Lawrie CFS – Kolkata. This initiative, poised to become a vital component of the Eastern Region’s trade infrastructure, will not only reduce logistics costs but will also lessen the carbon footprint, thereby promoting environment friendly and sustainable trade practices. Besides improving logistics operations, this project underscores the importance of regulatory support from customs authorities in facilitating smoother trade. The import leg of the ‘Port Link Express’ was previously flagged off at Haldia port on 23rd June 2024. Balmer Lawrie’s CFS – Kolkata was set up in 1994 and was the first CFS to operate in the Eastern Region. Balmer Lawrie has similar facilities operational in Mumbai, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.

  Multi-modal logistics platform Zipaworld announced the expansion of its warehouse facilities with the setting up of a new facility near Indira Gandhi International Airport in the National Capital. The new facility will service clients from segments such as auto and spare parts, industrial machinery, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, perishables, agricultural products, and FMCG among others, Zipaworld said. This strategic expansion not only aims to address the current limitations posed by the existing infrastructure but also positions the company for substantial future growth going forward, Zipaworld said. “Our current facility has served us well, but as we grow, our needs evolve. The new warehouse, strategically positioned and thoughtfully designed, will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently and expand our market reach,” said Ambrish Kumar, Founder and CEO of Zipaworld. Located near key airports and industrial hubs, the new warehouse facility is set to transform the logistics landscape by offering increased storage capacity, faster shipment processing times, and reduced operational costs, the company said. Spread over an area of 6,500 sq ft, the round-the-clock facility with increased storage capacity will allow Zipaworld handle increased volumes and broaden its product offerings, thereby supporting the company’s rapid growth trajectory, it stated.. With the presence of on-site sales representatives and faster processing capabilities, customer interactions and satisfaction are expected to see significant improvements, the company said. Besides provisions for night clearance to enhance overall efficiency by enabling faster processing and reducing delays, the latest warehousing facility is also equipped with advanced tracking systems, to provide customers with real-time updates on their shipments, improving transparency. By streamlining workflows and integrating seamlessly with airport operations, the new facility will cut down shipment processing times and handling expenses, …

      Air India has selected IBS Software to digitally transform its expanding air cargo operations. Air India has chosen IBS Software’s iCargo solution to support its growth plan and commitment to the airline’s ongoing digital transformation. IBS Software’s fully integrated iCargo solution will enable Air India to digitise end-to-end cargo management, allowing seamless integration of various cargo operations, from sales to billing within a single, integrated platform. This will empower Air India to streamline processes and enhance decision-making capabilities. This partnership comes at a time when Air India has embarked on a significant digital transformation of its core businesses across passenger services, fleet, and cargo operations. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India, said: “Air India is on a transformation journey to not only reaffirm its position as a global leader in aviation, but to also establish foundations for future growth. Air cargo is one of the key drivers of our roadmap for future growth, and technology will be at the core of it.” Somit Goyal, Chief Executive Officer at IBS Software, shared similar sentiments, stating: “As one of the most iconic airlines in the world, partnering with Air India is a proud moment for IBS Software. The Indian aviation market is on a major upswing, and we are excited to be partnered with a company that is dedicated to driving this growth. We are proud that our market- leading digital platform for the air cargo industry will support the ambitious transformation goals of Air India’s cargo offering and take it from strength to strength.” The first end-to-end implementation of iCargo is slated for delivery within nine months from the project’s start, promising immediate business …

  DP World welcomed the inaugural voyage of a new weekly mainline service, connecting South East Asia, India and Middle East at DP World Mundra. Marked by successful berthing of MV. ESL vessel, the service strengthens connectivity between key ports in Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, reaffirming DP World’s commitment to enhancing global trade. Additionally, DP World Mundra achieved its highest-ever throughput record by handling 128,652 TEUs at its terminal in June, which serves as a testament to its operational efficiency and capacity. The service will be operated by Emirates Shipping Line, CMA CGM, China United Lines, KMTC, Regional Container Lines and Global Feeders. With a weekly capacity of 3800 TEUs, the service offers a robust connectivity between Laem Chabang, Singapore, Port Klang, Nhava Sheva, Jebel Ali, Dammam, Cai Mep, Jakarta, and Mundra, facilitating efficient trade flows for industries including agriculture, industrial goods, and engineering products. Commenting on the launch of the weekly EVGI service,Ravinder Johal, COO, Ports & Terminals, Operations and Commercial, DP World, Subcontinent, Middle East and North Africa, said, “At DP World we are continuously optimizing supply chain efficiencies and fostering access todirect trade routes. This service connects Indian businesses to key markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, while also enabling traders and businesses in those regions to explore new opportunities in India. Backed by our multimodal prowess that connect Mundra to the north and central hinterlands of India, we are confident that the service will boost convenience for our valued customers.” DP World Mundra features a 632-meter quay and deep draft to accommodate large vessels. With a capacity of 1.4 million TEUs over 37 hectares, the terminal is a key hub in India’s …

        The Chennai export cargo terminal (ACCMAA) gate was forced to shut by the CTO due to cargo overflow at the export shed, says Dinesh Krishnan, Regional Chairman, Southern Region at ACAAI adding, “leading to trucks waiting to offload export cargo spilling over to the NH,  customs clearance & handing time taking over 24 to 48 hrs, booked cargo missed flights leading to a flash strike by frustrated CHA employees. The terminal has 2 government CTO for the past few decades , AAICLAS ( the landlord / custodian ) having 80% of the terminal space and AIASL ( the tenant / earlier ground handing & custodian ) leaser for the 20% of the space , but handing over 50% of the export tonnage . The root cause of the current crises and decline of ACCMAA can be traced to inexperience of both these CTO to administer , invest and deliver quality air cargo logistics ( CTO operations ) demanded by the EXIM trade. A meeting was held again yesterday at the AIASL between the stakeholders and the CTO to review the issue , subsequently a debriefing with AAICLAS management was done too to see what can be done to improve the current situation . The crux of the matter is that , this is a landlord ( AAICALS ) and tenant ( AIASL ) dispute , each having a list of long term commercial & operation grievances each other . Chennai air cargo terminal ( ACCMAA ) once the gateway of air cargo from South has seen its market share and fortunes dwindle drastically in the past 15 years .This is despite the fact that Tamilnadu is the manufacturing …

Swissport Basel has launched its new “cool+connect” terminal to ensure  seamless integrity of pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive goods (2-8°C) throughout the loading process, for global operations. By consolidating shipments from the same suppliers in a single truck instead of several as before, CO2 emissions and handling time are reduced by around 70% (from 4.5 to 1.5 hours), as transportation outside the airport is no longer necessary. “‘cool+connect’ is the first of its kind and we are proud to offer this innovation to our customers at EuroAirport,” says Andreas Behnke, Station Manager Basel, and member of the Swissport Global Cargo committee. “The cool chain infrastructure for pharmaceutical centers with many refrigerated containers meets a global need in the logistics industry. Swissport offers a proven, standardized  terminal for airlines, logistics providers and airports to outsource business-critical operations.” Swissport plans to introduce the “cool+connect” infrastructure worldwide. Additionally, the company is committed to expanding its network of IATA CEIV Pharma-certified cargo warehouses for pharmaceutical logistics. Swissport aims to achieve CEIV certification across its network, with Geneva, Switzerland, and Hamburg, Germany, already in the planning stages. In the United States, Swissport is actively pursuing certification for major pharmaceutical centers at Miami International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, reinforcing its dedication to providing world-class handling of pharmaceutical goods.