The airfreight spot rates for the week ending on 12th January 2025, stood at US$ 2.76 per kg, which was 22 per cent ahead from the corresponding period in 2024. Despite the seasonal dip during the Christmas period, the airfreight pricing remained stable in early part of January, mainly due to demand in Asia Pacific and the Middle East/South Asia (MESA) regions. The report from WorldACD suggested that the demand in Asia Pacific and USA remained surprisingly firm despite the seasonal slowdown. The average spot rates decline by 5 per cent (in comparison to the week ending on 5th January) but eventually it remained 27 per cent ahead from the corresponding period in 2024. “Asia Pacific to Europe spot rates have, correspondingly, declined from their levels of more than $5 per kilo in mid-December, dipping to around $4.30 in week 52 and week one, but they surged to $4.59 (by week ending on 12th January 2025),” the WorldACD report stated.

Nikhil Agarwal, President, CJ Darcl Logistics said, “The upcoming Union Budget has the potential to boost India’s economic growth by addressing key areas focusing on the logistics infrastructure. To further strengthen the industrial base, we hope for implementation of imperative policies aimed at advancing the manufacturing, technology and logistics sector.” “CJ Darcl envisions this budget to be a turning point for the logistics sector. We believe that continued allocation in multimodal transport systems and the development of inland waterways is vital for establishing resilient and efficient supply chains. As sustainability takes the center stage, we expect the implementation of advanced policies that endorse green technologies and promote the integration of electric vehicles within the commercial fleet, utilisation of alternative fuel sources & renewable energy infrastructures enhancements, and subsidies/incentives for adopting sustainable operational methodologies. These measures can accelerate India’s journey to become a global manufacturing hub,” he added.

FedEx has launched FedEx Surround in India, designed to redefine supply chain management processes. This monitoring and intervention solution is built on near-real-time visibility, AI-powered predictive analytics, and advanced handling capabilities, which will assist businesses with improved shipment visibility, control, and reliability. FedEx Surround monitoring and intervention suite offers three service levels—Select, Preferred, and Premium—to cater wide range of industries including healthcare, aerospace, high-tech products, providing critical updates and interventions that ensures timely delivery of sensitive shipments. “At FedEx, innovation means solving real-world challenges with bold solutions. Leveraging AI, machine learning, and data, we’re transforming how businesses navigate their supply chains, making them seamless, efficient, and resilient. FedEx Surround® empowers businesses to proactively address potential disruptions, enhance decision-making, and ensure peace of mind every step of the way,” Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President, Marketing and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, said.

Rajen Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji, India, Chairman, Northern Region, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), “The implementation of 18 per cent GST on air freight has had several impacts on the freight forwarding process in Mumbai. While the introduction of GST was intended to streamline India’s indirect tax structure and create a more unified tax environment, its impact on freight forwarding operations has been mixed, especially in high-traffic regions like Mumbai. It has directly increased the cost of moving goods by air, especially for international shipments. Freight forwarding companies now have to bear the additional tax burden, which they often pass on to customers. This has led to an increase in the overall cost of air cargo services, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on-air freight for time-sensitive shipments. Freight forwarding companies need to pay the GST upfront on services rendered, which can lead to cash flow issues, especially for small-to-medium-sized businesses. While they can claim input tax credits (ITC) later, the upfront cost of 18 per cent GST impacts the working capital of logistics providers. Freight forwarders in Mumbai and across India have been forced to enhance their understanding of GST compliance, both for the services they provide (e.g., air freight) and for the broader logistics chain (customs, warehousing, etc).”

Apeksha Gupta, Head of Skilling at VCJ Foundation said, “In today’s logistics industry, freshers should focus on developing skills in data analytics, supply chain management, and technology proficiency, particularly in warehouse management systems. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with adaptability to fast-paced environments. Also, a basic understanding of regulatory compliance and sustainability practices can enhance employability in this dynamic field.”

As per Boeing’s orders and deliveries report 2024, the aircraft manufacturer has registered a total of 35 777 freighter, and 8 767-300 freighter orders by the end of 2024. Boeing delivered 23 freighters in 2024 including six Boeing 767Fs to FedEx and four of them to UPS. The aircraft manufacturer also delivered Boeing 777Fs to the likes of Air China Cargo, Maersk Air Cargo, CMA CGM Air Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo. Among the 43 freighter orders of Boeing in 2024, the orders of Boeing 777Fs are placed by Emirates SkyCargo, Turkish cargo, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) Customer Finance, and additional orders which remain unidentified.

To meet the burgeoning global demand, the Emirates SkyCargo has wet-leased two additional Boeing 747 freighters, starting 2025 with a 15 per cent increase in critical main deck cargo capacity, compared to January 2024. The multi-year lease for the Boeing 747s was signed with the Compass Group. The Emirates SkyCargo active operating fleet now consists of 10 Boeing 777Fs and six wet-leased Boeing 747s, bringing the aircraft count to 16. Additionally, the airline also has 13 Boeing 777Fs on order, with expected delivery between 2025 and 2026. “Throughout 2024, we made significant investments in new and leased freighter aircraft to address the evolving supply chain and air cargo demands around the world to ensure we had a stable supply of capacity to best serve our global customers. This remains a key priority for Emirates SkyCargo, as we set our sights on the next era of growth. We anticipate that demand will continue to boom, reflecting Dubai’s prominence as a global logistics hub. Enhancing our cargo capabilities is essential to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda, enabling us to reach new destinations, bolster our current operations and elevate our specialist product portfolio”, Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said.

DP World has registered a 17 per cent YoY growth at its International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Cochin. The firm has achieved its all-time high volume in 2024 by handling 840,564 TEUs. DP World Cochin introduced new STS Ship-to-Shore cranes, e-RTGs, and expanded yard space, boosting the terminal’s total capacity to approximately 1.4 million TEUs a year in 2024. It also upgraded power infrastructure, ensuring reliable and more productive operations even during peak demand, which has resulted in this unprecedented growth. “This success reflects DP World’s commitment to invest in world-class infrastructure to meet user demands, operational efficiency, ongoing innovation and the expertise of a skilled and dedicated workforce. DP World Cochin will remain a crucial hub for regional trade, driving economic growth and strengthening global market connections,” Praveen Joseph, CEO, DP World Ports & Terminals, Cochin, said.

TT Group has announced a strategic partnership with AFCOM Cargo. As part of this collaboration, TT Group has been appointed as the Global General Sales Agent (GSA) for AFCOM Cargo, marking a significant step forward for both organisations in the dynamic air freight market. This partnership aligns with AFCOM Cargo’s vision to expand its global reach and enhance its service portfolio by leveraging TT Group’s expertise in the air cargo market. As part of the partnership, TT Group will oversee AFCOM Cargo’s global sales, marketing, and operational activities, ensuring seamless cargo movement across continents. The collaboration aims to provide users with enhanced service offerings, including faster transit times, competitive pricing, and expanded cargo capacity. “This collaboration with AFCOM Cargo is a testament to TT Group’s legacy of excellence and innovation. We are honoured to be appointed as their global GSA and are committed to delivering unparalleled value to AFCOM Cargo’s customers and stakeholders,” Arun Vasu, Chairman & Managing Director of TT Group, said.

Fintech firm Velocity has unveiled Shipfast, a solution designed to assist direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses offer quicker deliveries through their own platforms. Shipfast features 4-hour, same-day, and next-day shipping options, which will enable faster order fulfilment. The solution is designed to address major issues such as delivery delays, long issue resolution times, and inaccurate tracking. Velocity has collaborated with leading logistics firms like Ekart, Delhivery, Shadowfax, and Ecom Express, to improve the efficiency of shipping workflows and reduce the operational overheads for the brands. “Shipfast is a natural step in our evolution. While access to capital drives 40-50 per cent growth for D2C brands, faster deliveries can unlock an additional 30-40 per cent growth by increasing customer conversions,” Abhiroop Medhekar, Co-founder & CEO, Velocity, said.