Consolidating its position in the logistics ecosystem, Saurashtra Freight is looking for strategic acquisitions with a vision to unlock the business potential of the logistics industry in India as well as grow and expand its organisation’s value, assets and presence. The company plans to invest an amount ranging from Rs50 million to Rs1,000 million in companies in the field of logistics, warehousing, transportation and other relevant sectors associated to freight industry. The organisation aims to invest up to Rs3500 million in the next three years to fuel its growth in the industry. Raghav Agarwalla, Managing Director, Saurashtra Freight, said, “We are very optimistic of the logistics sector in India and the untapped growth potential. Being a well-capitalised, debt-free balance sheet along with Fairfax’s backing gives us the edge to consistently invest in sustainable and free cash flow generating businesses.’’

Ground handling services provider, Çelebi Aviation Holding, has won the ground handling license for Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) for 10 years through an international competitive bid process. This is the third win for Çelebi since last year, after winning the licenses for the Bengaluru and Kannur airports. The company plans to make an investment of $5-6 million at the airport. Murali Ramachandran, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Çelebi Aviation Holding Inc India, said, “The year gone by was a very important year for Çelebi as it marked the 10th anniversary of our India operations. Our partnership with RGIA is an important benchmark in our decade long journey as it sets another milestone towards our efforts of strengthening our presence and commitment in the India aviation market.”

The maiden coastal voyage of a vessel of Container Corporation of India (Concor) was flagged off by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Railways and Coal from Kandla through video link from Delhi on January 10, 2019. The vessel SSL Mumbai is sailing from Kandla Port to Tuticorin via Mangalore and Cochin. This is a unique example of multi-modal logistics solution through integrated rail and coastal movement. With this CONCOR will start coastal movement of containers as a weekly service on this route, moving about 1400 containers. Gadkari expressed confidence that this modal shift in the logistics chain was an important beginning that would help to bring down logistics costs and make Indian goods more competitive in the global markets in the very near future.

SpiceFresh launched a dedicated freight service to transport fresh produce. To mark the occasion, two flights flew one tonne each of mandarin oranges from Guwahati International Airport (GAU), to Hong Kong (HKG) and Dubai (DBX), according to a Twitter statement from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Chandra Mohan Patowary, Industries and Commerce minister, said, “He hoped that the mandarins produced in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will brighten the future for these states in terms of exporting agri-horti produce from north-eastern states. Authorities from SpiceJet said that its flights will go to Hong Kong with 18 tonnes of freight between Guwahati and Kolkata daily, while both the Hong Kong and Dubai routes will be connected via the company’s international network.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) organised a port study-tour for the largest global congregation ever to visit any port in India. The congregation included 38 government officials from 36 countries, who are part of the Global Strategic Growth Leadership & Sustainable Development program initiated by ITEC with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Neeraj Bansal, Chairman-in-Charge, JNPT, said, “India is a significant contributor to the global container cargo business and JNPT has been the driving force behind this growth, accounting for around 53 per cent of the total containerised cargo volume, across the major ports of India. We are delighted to have government officials from so many countries coming together, here, to understand our role in the global perspective. Such collaborative efforts help in promotion of trade between India and the rest of the world which will give a fillip to Indian economy.” The delegates represented host of nations like, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba, Iraq, Srilanka, Nigeria, Colombia, South Africa, Egypt, Guinea, Peru, Kenya and Vietnam.

According to a PTI report, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has concluded the import and delivery of 50 GE locomotives from US to Indian Railways. All the 50 locomotives were manufactured by GE or the General Electric Division in US, which is an American multinational conglomerate, and the locomotives had been imported to Mundra port. APSEZ dispatched 50 GE locomotives from Mundra port for the Indian Railways. This is a first for Indian shipping and logistics, Adani Ports said.

JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) has organised a five-day seminar on ‘Engineering & Procurement’ as part of its industry skill development initiative. Commenting on the programme, Neeraj Bansal, IRS, Chairman-in-Charge, JNPT, said, “We started the JNPT APEC Training Centre with an aim to provide timely skill and knowledge upgrade to port professionals so they would be abreast with the latest trends in the industry. This will thus enhance the overall efficiency and quality of the port services across India and Asia.” The seminar will focus on all engineering aspects related to the port and an in-depth understanding into workings of procurement and their importance in port strategy.

With an aim to meet the significant increase in demand for cargo services to India, Saudia Cargo is offering 60 tonnes of cargo capacity per week in the bellies of its A330 aircraft flying to Calicut International Airport (CCJ), Kerala. Omar Hariri, Chief Executive Officer, Saudia Cargo, said, “The cargo business is doing its best to support the agricultural products and general cargo of Kerala region, exploring every way possible to increase exports from the neighbouring cities of Calicut.”

Government of Punjab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services (AAICLAS) for operation and maintenance of the cargo terminal at Amritsar airport. As per the MoU, AAI will operate and manage the Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) facility at the airport. The facility has been in operation since 2013. The move is designed to boost agricultural exports from Punjab and its neighbouring states with cargo flights expected to begin in the near future. The MoU was exchanged between Sibin C, Managing Director, Punjab Agro Industries and Keku Bomi Gazder, Chief Executive Officer, AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services.

India’s containerised trade with the world has grown 10 per cent year-on-year according to the Q3 trade report released by Maersk. Increasing competitiveness of Indian exports, coupled with improved demand in various destination countries, has propelled exports to grow at 10 per cent year-on-year. The demand for India-made goods such as vehicles and mechanical appliances, as well as refrigerated cargo such as onions, meat, seafood, and pharmaceuticals have driven exports. Simultaneously, imports have risen nine per cent year-on-year, largely dominated by a heavy inflow of paper, metal, and white goods. Overall, the containerised market has displayed strength, with far less fluctuation compared to the previous year. Steve Felder, Managing Director for Maersk Line – South Asia, said, “The upward movement in global commodity prices, depreciation of the Indian rupee, and recent shipping-logistics reforms such as liberalised cabotage policy and Direct Port Delivery are instrumental in supporting the export-import trade between India and global markets.”