The Indian Railways plans to set up an additional 200 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) to boost freight revenue, decongest rail networks, and enable faster movement. This expansion follows the successful implementation of the first 100 GCTs announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. GCTs are multi-modal terminals used by corporates to handle bulk cargo that is transported via rail. They are established under a policy that allows monetization of vacant Railway land through public-private partnerships (PPP). The first 100 GCTs were to be set up over 5 years from 2022-23. Progress of Phase 1 -77 out of the initial 100 GCTs have already been commissioned at a cost of around ₹5,400 crore. These terminals are located in states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Major operators include Concor, Reliance, Adani, JSW, IOCL, and BPCL, among others. The remaining terminals are expected to be operational by the end of FY 2024-25. Buoyed by the positive response, Railways will tender for 200 more GCTs once the first 100 are completed. The additional terminals are estimated to require ₹12,000-14,000 crore in private investment. Each terminal is expected to cost an average of ₹65-70 crore, with some ranging from ₹50 crore to higher amounts. Development Models

ECS Group partnered with Rotate to gain better insights of the overall air cargo market supply and its development. Thanks to Rotate “Live Capacity data” offering real-time market “supply” insights, ECS Group enhances its in-house business intelligence system, Apollo, to provide users with the data needed to determine new interline partnerships, optimize airline customers’ networks, and react quickly to market changes dynamics in terms of pricing strategy. “When tendering for digital innovation, only the best pass the test,” says Cédric Millet, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer of ECS Group. “In Rotate, we simply found the best-in-class capacity data product on the market. Real-time data is crucial for our Market Intelligence System as it enables responsiveness to market changes. Our teams can thus take better, proactive and informed decisions in terms of pricing or interline opportunities, for example, leading to improved revenue optimization of the capacity we manage on behalf of our airline customers. And for ECS, that ultimately results in higher customer satisfaction and long-term business growth.” Two main objectives were behind ECS Group’s decision to partner with Rotate: Strategic Growth and Technological Innovation. Rotate’s capacity product enables the global GSSA to identify market opportunities and thus expand into new routes or markets, strategically growing both its market share and revenue in the air cargo industry. Leveraging innovative technology solutions such as Rotate’s Live Capacity solution secures that ECS Group remains ahead of industry trends. It also fosters digital transformation, strengthening ECS Group’s leading position in innovation and digitalization in air cargo. The aim behind these objectives is to drive operational excellence, customer value, and sustainable growth for ECS Group. The main features ECS Group is seeking to utilize, include: …

Group Concorde (GC) opened office in Australia and is set to commence operations on May 1st, 2024. Facilitated by ILG Aviation Australasia, this strategic expansion represents a milestone in GC’s dedication to catering to clients throughout the region. The new office locations will be Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. Additionally, GC extends its presence across the Tasman to Auckland, New Zealand, further solidifying its footprint in the Oceania region. Partnerships with airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Kuwait Airways will further enhance the company’s operations and connectivity across the region. GC is entering the Australian market as an Independently operated GSSA service provider will get more traction by the airline principal partners looking for an edge in the market to boost their visibility further and enhance revenues. Hiran Samarasinha, the Regional Director leading the operations, has 40+ Years of experience and expertise in the aviation industry, especially Australia / NZ markets driving GC’s growth and success in this region. He ably supported by an experienced GSA specialist in Andy Yuen who has vast knowledge and experience in handling airlines across Australia and Hong Kong region.

According to recent reports worldwide tonnage rose 3% from 15 to 21 April. Despite the growth in volume, however, the average worldwide rates remained stable from the previous week, at US $2.50 per kg, according to WorldACD. It found that the volume uptick recorded this week was largely thanks to a surge of flower exports from Central and South America ahead of Mother’s Day events on 12 May, with 63% of exports from CSA and Africa headed for North America. Chief Officer of cargo at Qatar Airways Mark Drusch stated that there was “continued global movement of produce and flowers – it’s amazing to me how that is always big and bigger”. The decline in volumes could also partly be explained by the heavy rainfall that mainly impacted Dubai recently, where flooding led to some flight cancellations. “Dubai recorded a WoW volume drop of 18%, whereas the capital Abu Dhabi and neighbouring emirate Sharjah recorded volume increases of 20% and 103%, respectively – boosted by cargo and flights diverted from Dubai.” Despite the recent downturn however, volumes from Dubai are still up 107% on this time last year. And disruptions to ocean shipping, paired with an unprecedented ecommerce boom, has meant overall, the air cargo market has been in good shape so far this year.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) witnessed a noteworthy 6% year-on-year increase in the overall cargo volumes, in FY 2024 marking a significant stride in economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. This boost was predominantly driven by a remarkable 10% surge in international cargo volumes. Notably, these volumes managed to attain an impressive 93% recovery comparing to their pre-COVID levels, indicating a robust resurgence in global trade and logistics activities. This fiscal year saw a 20% increase in the total number of Cargo Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). This achievement showcases the airport’s dedication to efficiently and flexibly managing the rapidly rising cargo volumes. CSMIA’s cargo facility manages a diverse array of goods, with pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and automobiles being among the primary categories. On the international scale, the top three categories transported are automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural cargo. Meanwhile, domestically, the leading cargo categories include General cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail. These categories underscore the airport’s proficiency in handling a wide variety of goods. The surge in e-commerce significantly impacted cargo operations at CSMIA. The festive season of Diwali noticed a notable 87% year-on-year growth in e-commerce shipments. The demand for perishable items also experienced a noteworthy increase. Mango exports were particularly prominent during the months of April to July 2023, accompanied by the export of seasonal cut flowers and chocolates during the Valentine’s Day period. Additionally, in a groundbreaking achievement, CSMIA successfully handled its inaugural shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using specialized va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam. CSMIA’s international cargo volumes comprised 56% exports and 44% imports. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and Amsterdam were the top global destinations for outgoing …

“Infrastructural gaps, regulatory hurdles, and fragmented networks hinder seamless coordination for enhanced multimodal transportation and overcoming these challenges requires holistic solutions like infrastructural upgrades, streamlined regulations, and enhanced technology for real-time tracking,” says Huned Gandhi, Managing Director Indian Subcontinent Air & Sea Logistics, Dachser India. “Public-private partnerships will play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps, ensuring a cohesive ecosystem for multimodal logistics to thrive. In this evolving scenario, multimodal transportation doesn’t just optimise supply chains; it reshapes them entirely, propelling India towards logistical supremacy on the global stage,” he adds and continues, “In the dynamic landscape of logistics, multimodal transportation emerges as the cornerstone reshaping supply chains. With initiatives like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and the development of inland waterways, India envisions a seamless convergence of rail, road, air, and water networks, unlocking unprecedented opportunities. By seamlessly integrating these networks, logistics gain speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, facilitating the swift movement of goods across the nation and beyond. These transformative efforts are bolstered by flagship policies such as Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy, which underscore India’s commitment to modernising infrastructure and streamlining regulatory frameworks. Gati Shakti aims to enhance infrastructure connectivity across the country, while the National Logistics Policy focuses on optimising logistics efficiency and reducing costs. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist.”

Commenting on the recent news of European Union’s Food Regulatory Authority citing cancer causing chemicals in Indian food products and spices, Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo says, “The EU’s food authorities’ adverse disclosures regarding two of our exported brands, are likely to have its cascading effects in rest of the world too since such negative reports spread at a lightening pace. In my opinion, the exports of spices from India would definitely be affected in view of apprehensions among the importing countries since any suspicion about consumables are taken very seriously by every country. Now it’s incumbent upon the Indian food safety department to carry out stringent checks on the brands and declare regarding these being safe after taking corrective actions if warranted. However, the latest reports suggest no effect on spice exports from India.

Logicsols can now integrate BlueBox Systems’ tracking data into its own platform and offer its customers accurate data. BlueBox Systems, one of the leading developers of intelligent air freight tracking solutions, has gained a new customer for its air freight tracking programming interface: Logicsols. The platform of the digital logistics solution provider from New York, USA, allows its customers to manage their entire logistics operations, including features like shipment visibility, data analysis, and document legalization. Logicsols can now integrate BlueBox Systems’ tracking data into its own platform and offers its customers even more accurate data. “Logicsols is one of many companies like Siemens Digital Solutions, 4Flow, Thinkprime, Klog or Otonomi, who are already successfully using the API solution of BlueBox Systems and offer their customers unrivaled data quality,” reads the release. Due to the API solution, the applications of BlueBox Systems and Logicsols can communicate independently and exchange data in real-time. This enables customers to gain important information about ETA changes or delays. Carriers gain access to real-time shipment data to optimize routes, reduce costs and allocate resources efficiently. Manufacturers can get up-to-date shipment tracking information to plan production and proactively manage inventory. All parties along the supply chain can retrieve the most up-to-date and efficiently accurate information. At the same time, the API solution ensures end-to-end data security by providing controlled data access allowing only authorized parties to access and use shared information, safeguarding sensitive cargo details and maintaining the supply chain integrity. “Our robust API allows for swift and straightforward integration, empowering business with real-time air and ocean freight visibility,” says Martin Schulze, CEO of BlueBox Systems. “We provide a user-friendly and efficient API integration that ensures a …

Tata Motors inaugurated a new commercial vehicle spare parts warehouse in Guwahati. The modern facility is fully digitalised and spans across 1 lakh square feet, stocking spare parts for the entire commercial vehicle portfolio. The addition of the new facility will enable the company faster turnaround times and easier availability of spares at Tata Authorised Service Stations in the North East, the company said in a media release. Equipped with world-class infrastructure and safety measures, the facility will unlock greater customer value proposition through digitalised warehouse processes. Tata Motors has partnered with Delhivery, India’s largest fully integrated logistics services provider, to leverage its technology-enabled warehousing and transportation solutions. The facility also boasts cutting-edge storage systems catering to diverse needs, including gravity spiral and vertical reciprocating conveyors. Additionally, a designated area for handling medium and heavy vehicle body parts has been integrated to ensure seamless operations.

Horizon Industrial Parks, a logistics platform owned and operated by real estate conglomerate Blackstone, will invest Rs 1,000 crore for setting up a industrial and warehousing logistics park in Chakan. The facility is spread over 100 acre and will provide logistical solutions to e-commerce and industrial firms in the area. The investment is expected to generate up to 4,000 jobs, a company spokesperson said. This is the company’s second park in Chakan as the company recently completed 52 acre unit in the area. It also operates a 10 lakh sq ft facility in Talegaon. At the state level, the company has parks in Nashik, Nagpur and other in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The company is targets to develop 10 crore sq ft in logistics facilities in the next three years with focus on tier-2 cities. “We continue to see strong demand for modern warehouses in India, driven by increasing e-commerce adoption and strong industrial growth,” Urvish Rambhia, principal at Blackstone said.