Wiremind is all set to launch the improved version of its flagship product SKYPALLET 2.0 this summer. SKYPALLET 2.0 will bring a more intuitive interface, greater processing speeds, and workflow automation thanks to SKYPALLET’s integration in CARGOSTACK. With the original goal of empowering commercial teams with the operational know-how to quote shipments more efficiently, SKYPALLET has advanced significantly today to support full flight optimizations for over 25 customers. SKYPALLET is also one of the bestsellers of CargoTech. Some highlights of the key improvements planned: • Rewriting of SKYPALLET’s code base in a new programming language, enabling all customers today to benefit from faster calculation speeds and more advanced palletization algorithms • The integration of SKYPALLET into the CARGOSTACK ecosystem to allow deeper integrations and significant workflow automations. • The ability to include new data points that can be used by the palletization engine such as freight status or its build characteristics on an inbound leg to produce more granular results • A revamped user interface and experience with more intuitive workflows and information displayed, matching the user-friendliness of the whole CARGOSTACK product suite “Various improvements to SKYPALLET over the years means it is now used at multiple touchpoints and processes in the air cargo lifecycle by our customers,” says Nathanaël de Tarade, Wiremind Cargo CEO. “While SKYPALLET has already been integrated to customer systems through its API, it has remained a stateless application relying on external systems to provide shipment and capacity inputs per calculation. By incorporating it into CARGOSTACK as part of our version 2.0, we now have the architecture to retrieve and hold all the relevant inputs consumed by the palletization algorithm, through what we call a stateful …

DP World commenced operations of its Cochin Economic Zone. Strategically located within cochin port premise of Vallarpadam terminal, it is Kerala’s first free trade warehousing zone (FTWZ) and the third DP World Economic Zone in India. DP World Cochin Economic Zone significantly enhances Cochin Port’s capabilities as it is the first transshipment terminal in India, a preferred gateway to the south. This 75,000 sq.ft. state-of-the-art facility seamlessly integrates with DP World’s strategic multimodal logistics network, facilitating efficient connections across India and global markets. In the heart of Cochin’s bustling port activity, DP World Economic Zone marks a significant leap in its commitment to pioneering trade solutions. With 67 value-added services seamlessly integrated, businesses gain unparalleled advantages for their supply chain operations. Speaking about Kerala’s first Free Trade Warehousing Zone, Ranjit Ray, Senior Vice President – Economic Zones Middle East, North Africa, and Subcontinent, said,“We are happy to unveil the DP World Cochin Economic Zone, an innovative model located within the port premises, setting a new benchmark among economic zones in India. Our aim in establishing economic zones is to enhance global trade opportunities by streamlining supply chains, resulting in cost savings and seamless connectivity. Our integrated solution in Cochin provides value-added services, linking ports to the wider supply chain through multimodal connectivity. At DP World, our dedicated team works tirelessly to create bespoke warehousing and logistics facilities, committed to delivering value and an enhanced experience. This facility will not only support EXIM-oriented businesses but also open doors for global companies to enter the Indian market.” DP World Cochin Economic Zone enjoys excellent connectivity via three National Highways: NH 66 to Mumbai, NH 544 to Salem and Coimbatore, and NH 85 …

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, major ports collectively handled 12.310 million TEUs, up 8.06% from FY23’s 11.392 million TEUs. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority led the way by managing 6.43 million TEUs, over half of the total volume. Petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) cargo increased 5.06% to 245.990 mt from the previous year’s 234.137 mt. Iron ore shipments surged 32.68% to 61.031 mt, raw fertilizer shipments rose 13.56% to 9.406 mt, and coking coal and other coal movements increased 10.24% to 64.939 mt. Moreover, Paradip Port Authority led cargo handling among major ports, reaching 145.379 mt in FY24, up 7.40% from the previous year’s 135.362 mt. India’s Ports and Shipping sector has been on a remarkable upswing lately. Whether it’s the external trade, expanding ports’ capacity, or the 7,517 kilometers of coastline dotted with over 200 ports, the growth has been undeniable. And recently, the performance of the 12 major ports under the Union government’s ownership saw an uptick in cargo handling. In FY24, these ports collectively managed a staggering 819.227 million tonnes (mt) of cargo, marking a 4.45 percent increase from the previous year’s 784.305 mt. With India’s ports handling approximately 95% of the nation’s international trade volume, this surge in growth signals a new era of efficiency for the industry. What 2024 has seen so far?

To celebrate and mark the achievement of handling 1 million metric ton of cargo for the second time in Financial Year 2024, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) organized ‘Samvaya 2.0’, an annual event for its stakeholders. Over 130 industry leaders joined the celebrations. “From a warm welcome by Zaheer Bakshi, Head Cargo, DIAL to insightful talks by Puskar Nath Thakur, CCO, DIAL and Sanjiv Edward, CEO, Cargo & Logistics, the event showcased our Future Ready vision and success,” said DIAL’s official LinkedIn Post. Munish Davessar presented the key initiatives and highlights of the year. “We were honoured to have Aditya Mishra, IPS, Chairman LPAI, as our chief guest. Special recognitions and rewards were given to stakeholders who contributed to achieving the milestones,” the post added.

Aeroprime Group, India’s leading new-age GSA, is proud to announce its appointment as the exclusive Cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for Cambodia Angkor Air, the flag carrier of Cambodia, effective June 1, 2024. Currently, the airline boasts a fleet comprising A320, A321, and ATR aircrafts, serving over 11 destinations across Cambodia, China, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam. Starting 16th June 2024, Cambodia Angkor Airlines will operate four (4x) weekly flights from Delhi (DEL) to Phnom Penh (PNH) utilizing A320 aircraft, offering the only direct connectivity between India and Cambodia which will help increase the trade between the countries and open up more business opportunities for cargo. With plans for further expansion across multiple Indian cities in the near future, Aeroprime Group will oversee the comprehensive sales service of the cargo space on these flights, ensuring efficient and seamless logistics solutions for the airline and expanding its network to meet the growing demand for reliable cargo solutions. Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, said, “At Aeroprime, we are keen to grow our business and maintain our market leadership position in the air cargo sector. This partnership with Cambodia Angkor Air is a significant step towards our strategic vision of offering a diverse and comprehensive product offering service to our partners and clients. We are committed to supporting Cambodia Angkor Air in their growth journey by aiding their expansion plans and enhancing sales within the Indian market.” This new appointment marks a significant milestone for Aeroprime Group, reinforcing its position as a leading Cargo GSSA in the Indian aviation industry. Further, it exemplifies Aeroprime’s dedication to providing top-tier sales and service solutions to global airlines, …

Mahindra Logistics announced setting up a joint venture with Japan’s Seino Holdings to offer warehousing and trucking services. In a filing to the stock exchanges, the company said that it has executed a joint venture agreement with Japan-based Seino Holdings Co. Ltd for warehousing and trucking services. The partnership aims to establish a joint venture company focused on providing warehousing and trucking services primarily to Japanese automobile companies and their affiliates in India, the company informed the stock exchanges. According to the filing, Mahindra Logistics will hold 50% ownership in the proposed JV entity, with the remaining 50% to be owned by Seino. “With Mahindra Logistics’ capabilities and strong network, Seino Holdings aims to provide optimised logistics solutions and broaden its reach to customers throughout India. The focus will be on leveraging technology, process innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability to drive growth and efficiency,” said Mahindra Logistics.

Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company says, “India’s airport infrastructure is experiencing a notable transformation, particularly in cargo handling, with a significant emphasis on pharmaceuticals. Ensuring data integrity across medical products and services throughout the supply chain is a significant challenge, alongside other areas in the sector that require improvement. While efforts are underway to address various issues, the shortage of skilled workforce remains a major pain point. Investments being directed towards upgrading facilities nationwide, including the construction of cold storage warehouses and specialized handling areas tailored to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceuticals, demonstrate the progress in this domain. Despite these advancements, it’s important to recognize that India is still in the early stages of this evolution. While renowned for passenger travel, further investment and expertise are needed to fully leverage the potential of Indian airports for pharmaceutical and healthcare storage and distribution. Achieving comprehensive cold chain logistics for pharmaceuticals at all Indian airports will require time and continued efforts. With India’s airport infrastructure gradually adapting to meet the increasing demands of the pharmaceutical sector, the trajectory appears promising.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport, says, “Collaborations among airlines, logistics firms, and the Indian government’s e-freight initiative, alongside airport advancements, has propelled the growth of pharma. Airports, prioritizing eco-friendly practices has integrated state-of-the-art cargo facilities. GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC) distinguishes itself through investments in expanding infrastructure, notably the ‘Pharma Zone,’ positioning itself as a premier global hub for pharmaceutical logistics. The terminal, already equipped with a vast fleet of modern temperature-controlled containers, is poised to augment its temperature control area through expansion. GHAC is actively exploring advanced technologies such as robotic arms, conveyor systems, and Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) to bolster efficiency and mitigate labor costs over the next five years. Notably, GHAC holds certifications from the World Health Organization for Good Distribution Practices and accreditation under the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations Program (ISAGO).”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman Continental Carriers says, “Indian airport terminals have been working to enhance their infrastructure and capacity to handle pharmaceuticals. Many pharmaceuticals are highly sensitive to temperature variations. Maintaining a requisite temperature throughout the transportation process, especially during air transit, is crucial to prevent degradation or loss of efficacy. Packaging and Labelling are vital to protect pharmaceutical products from damage and ensure their integrity during air transit. Inadequate packaging or labelling can lead to product spoilage, contamination, or loss. Some pharmaceutical products have a limited shelf life or require timely delivery to meet patient needs. Delays in air transportation can result in product expiration or stockouts, impacting patient care and causing financial losses for pharmaceutical companies. Addressing these pain points requires collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, logistics providers, and airlines, to implement robust quality management systems, advanced tracking technologies, and specialized packaging solutions tailored to the unique requirements of pharmaceutical transportation by air. With the increasing importance of the pharmaceutical industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, airports in India have been focusing on improving their cold storage facilities and distribution networks for pharmaceutical products. Many airports in India, including major ones like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru etc, have dedicated pharma zones equipped with state-of-the-art cold storage facilities and temperature-controlled warehouses to handle sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Overall, while there might still be room for improvement, Indian airport terminals have been making strides in enhancing their infrastructure and capacity to store and distribute pharmaceutical products.”

Soumya Sinha, Director, Supply Chain & Logistics, Middle East & South Asia, Frost & Sullivan shares, “Indian medical equipment export performance is lagging as compared to other nations because of the underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of skilled workers, and low investments in Research and Development which limits further innovation. Hence focus should be on developing robust infrastructure, increasing the R&D budget, and training human resources. The Drug formulations category accounts for approximately 72% of the total pharmaceutical exports. Unfortunately, exports of bulk drugs are getting less importance by domestic pharma companies as their main focus is on manufacturing drug formulations. Due to this India depends heavily on the imports of bulk drugs (APIs) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) from other countries. This is a huge challenge as the prices of these imports are on the rise.