Blue Dart has successfully launched drone deliveries in collaboration with Skye Air, a leader in drone technology. This move marks a significant advancement towards cleaner and more efficient delivery solutions. Building on their pioneering VLOS trials in Vikarabad, Hyderabad, in September 2021, and BVLOS trials under the Telangana Government’s ‘Medicine from the Sky’ initiative, Blue Dart continues to lead in utilizing drone technology for logistics.Initially focusing on the growing e-commerce sector, this innovative approach is set to revolutionize last-mile delivery by offering same-day delivery for shipments, significantly reducing delivery time and environmental impact. This milestone achievement notably coincided with World Environment Day, emphasizing Blue Dart’s commitment to sustainable logistics practices. On this initiative, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, says, “The logistics sector in India is experiencing an exhilarating phase. The nation’s robust economic growth, coupled with the aspirations of its consumers and growth in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, has significantly boosted purchasing power. This surge in demand emphasizes the need for innovative solutions that drive growth while ensuring efficiency and sustainability. As we witness the marvel of drone technology, we eagerly anticipate extending this service further, with plans to cover additional pin codes in subsequent stages with our partners.”

  Etihad Cargo has established a direct eBooking integration with global logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel. This strategic collaboration is the latest step in Etihad Cargo’s digitalisation journey, further streamlining the booking experience for its partners and customers and expanding its portfolio of eBooking integrations, which already includes industry leaders such as cargo.one, WebCargo, CargoWise and CargoAI. Etihad Cargo’s direct integration with Kuehne+Nagel leverages advanced web services developed by both companies, providing Kuehne+Nagel with seamless access to real-time capacity and pricing across Etihad Cargo’s network. This move is designed to offer greater transparency, efficiency, and flexibility in the booking process, ensuring faster and more reliable cargo services. “Etihad Cargo’s integration with Kuehne+Nagel represents another milestone in the carrier’s commitment to digital innovation and operational excellence,” said Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo. “By providing Kuehne+Nagel with direct access to Etihad Cargo’s network’s real-time data, this integration enhanced their ability to make informed booking decisions, streamline operations, and ultimately deliver superior service to their customers. Etihad Cargo will continue to prioritise the carrier’s digital connectivity and development, ensuring technological advancements keep pace with industry demands and further elevate service standards.”

DP World has received the platinum certification from Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its Chennai Economic Zone. This is the second one in quick succession for DP World Economic Zones in India. Earlier this year, DP World Nhava Sheva Business Park became the first free trade zone to receive Platinum certification under the IGBC logistics parks and warehousing rating system. The IGBC rating systems recognize outstanding green design, construction, and operations, with the Platinum rating being the highest standard internationally. DP World has built the state-of-the-art Free Trade Warehouse Zone (FTWZ) in Chennai near three key ports – Kattupalli, Ennore, and Chennai. The warehouses at DP World’s Chennai Economic Zone feature charging points for electric vehicles (EV) and a 1 MW capacity solar panel installation, aligned with globally recognized environmentally responsible practices which will fulfil ~40% of FTWZ’s power requirement.  The facility is spread over six hundred thousand square feet with a potential to grow to 2 million square feet and is designed as per global standards and Green Building Certification requirements. Commenting on the achievement, Ranjit Ray, Senior Vice President – Economic Zones, Middle East, North Africa, and Subcontinent said, “We are honored to receive the IGBC Platinum Certification for the second time. This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainable practices and excellence in our operations. I am proud of our team for their dedication and hard work in maintaining high environmental standards. Their efforts continue to drive our success and set new benchmarks for our industry.”  

Snowman Logistics has signed an agreement to acquire land and warehouse assets in Madhya Pradesh, says reports. The acquisition, valued at Rs 200 million, aims to strengthen Snowman’s infrastructure and operational capabilities in the region. The agreement includes the purchase of land and existing warehouse facilities, strategically located to enhance Snowman’s service network and efficiency in catering to the growing demand for temperature-controlled logistics solutions, it adds.  

Magenta Mobility has launched ‘Project 302,’ aimed at decarbonising logistics in Bhiwandi. The new Bhiwandi facility, which initially deploys a fleet of 500 electric vehicles (EVs) including three-wheelers and four-wheelers, aims to meet the increasing demand for sustainable transportation solutions. The company plans to hire around 200 local Delivery Executives (DEs) to operate these vehicles, supporting logistics, charging, and field operations, says release. Named after the Bhiwandi Pincode, the project features a new office and charging depot operating under a hub-and-spoke model. This expansion aligns with Magenta Mobility’s vision to decarbonise logistics and enhance services for existing and new customers in the region.  Bhiwandi, with its extensive 25 million square feet of warehousing space, serves the growing demands of e-commerce and third-party logistics industries. Its strategic location, connectivity to major cities and ports, and proactive government support make it an ideal operational hub for Magenta Mobility, the company shared. The area hosts warehouses for e-commerce giants, pharma companies, FMCGs, retailers, and conglomerates, providing a prime location for expanding services.      

Skye Air, a drone logistics solution provider has secured $4 million (about Rs 34 crore) funding, which will be used to expand the company’s operations across Gurugram and other cities for healthcare, and quick-commerce deliveries. The Series A funding was achieved with backing from Mount Judi Ventures, Chiratae Ventures, Venture Catalyst, Windrose Capital, and Tremis Capital. Faad Capital, Misfits Capital, Hyderabad Angels, Soonicorn Ventures and other existing investors, family offices and angels also participated in the funding round. The fresh capital will help the company expand its last-mile network across Gurugram and other cities for healthcare, e-commerce, and quick-commerce deliveries,” said Ankit Kumar, Founder & CEO of Skye Air in a statement. He added that with the Modi 3.0 government at the centre stage, the company envisages a plethora of growth coming in the Indian drone sector, which will make Bharat a global drone hub by 2030. Maple Capital Advisors were the exclusive financial advisors to the company for the transaction. LexStart Partners were the legal counsel for the company. Skye Air said it is also the creator of Skye UTM, an advanced Unmanned Traffic Management system, which manages drone traffic, ensures safety, and facilitates efficient communication between drones and air traffic controls.

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers stressed, “The concept of air freight station (AFS) is new in the industry. It is being misunderstood by various departments and terminal operators. They have different charges—for the airlines as well as AFS operators. This is making AFS operations more expensive. The airlines are reluctant to offer pallets, we have spent 12 years to get permission for AFS, but the confidence of the airlines to use the AFS is low. This concept is very popular across the world. In India. I do not know why the concept is not being accepted. This is going to hurt the industry in the coming years. The way the cargo is going to increase, if there are no more AFSs, the industry will suffer a lot. Even the customs charges are high. The policy needs to be changed and then only we are going to survive.”  

ESR Group has acquired an additional 27 acres of land to expand its existing industrial and logistics park at Oragadam in Chennai, says release. The enlarged area of ESR Oragadam Industrial and Logistics Park now spans 107 acres with a development potential of 2.5 million square feet. “The additional Rs 276 crore (over USD 33 million) investment signifies ESR’s dedication to bolstering Tamil Nadu’s industrial landscape,” states company’s official statement. ESR Oragadam Industrial & Logistics Park is strategically located in the heart of the Oragadam-Sriperumbudur cluster, which has witnessed robust growth in demand for Grade A assets. This latest expansion builds upon the success of ESR Oragadam’s first two phases, which have welcomed many high-quality customers, such as electromechanical solutions provider CUBIC, automotive research and development firm A2Mac1, and speciality labelling company CCL.

“Freight forwarders, especially the Indian IATA agents, must understand their own importance as domain experts who could make a lot of difference to the trading community, rather than just focusing on rates and credits,” says Samir J Shah, Director, JBS Jeena Logistics. “Since the Indian freight forwarders don’t project themselves as domain experts, it has resulted in other international stakeholders looking down upon us. To avoid this situation and to be able to perform better, I feel it’s high time we start supporting each other rather than being competitors because unless we go out and tell the world about our capabilities, their view of us is not going to change,” Shah adds. Today, international custodians, they take us for granted. Customs officials at the top levels are trying their best to bring in changes, but there’s so much resistance at the lower level, which unfortunately is supported by us because we as normal IATA agents are not in a position, because of so many market forces, and the way international exporters behave with us, we are not in a position to stand up and say, no, it’s not possible. So I think we might still have to undergo a little bit more trouble before we all start realizing that we are indispensable and we can show the rest of the stakeholders our usefulness, our utility and the fact that they need to understand that without us, their cargoes are not going to move,” he adds.

Logistics technology provider Pidge has joined the government-run Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to accelerate e-commerce growth, specifically hyperlocal and same-city deliveries across India, says reports. By utilizing Pidge’s extensive network, which includes over 200 regional and national partners, the initiative seeks to increase e-commerce penetration beyond the current 5% level in the country.