ICRA ratings expects the overall volumes at Indian ports to continue witnessing improvement and the same in FY2022 is likely to surpass FY2020 (pre-Covid) volumes. The optimism is based on the performance of the sector in 5m FY2022 wherein all segments except fertilisers have witnessed healthy Y-o-Y growth. The overall cargo volumes are largely stable in 5M FY2022 in comparison to similar period in FY2020 and are driven by healthy growth in containers, iron ore and other miscellaneous segments. The positive growth can also be attributed to the base effect since the same period during last fiscal (FY2021) was most severely impacted by the pandemic-related lockdown. The exceptions to volume growth (apart from fertilisers) are POL and coal volumes which have remained subdued. POL and thermal coal segments had remained subdued in FY2021 too due to demand contraction and while there has been a Y-o-Y improvement in 5m FY2022, the volumes remain lower compared to FY2020 levels.

Global logistics company DP World operated International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam Cochin unveiled a solar power plant with production capacity of 1122 MW (megawatts)/per annum. The plant was inaugurated by P. Rajeeve, Honourable Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, and Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament (Ernakulam), Kerala. The plant is set up across 3.4 acres of land with an investment of over INR 3.7 crore. It has a peak production capacity of 830 kilowatt-hours. The solar plant will help reduce 905 tonnes/per annum of CO2 emissions which is equivalent to CO2 absorbed by approximately 41,580 trees in a year. The plant will produce over 12% of the terminal’s total annual power consumption. DP World is committed to sustainable practices across all its facilities and is undertaking several measures to achieve Carbon footprint reduction targets in a time-bound manner. This solar plant is part of the many planned milestones towards DP World achieving Carbon Neutrality across all facilities in India by 2030.

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Aviation Group, has expanded its pharma sector reach into Africa with the signing of a Service Legal Agreement (SLA) with Astral Aviation and Kenya Airways to provide reliable and cost-effective airfreight solutions across the continent. Operating a fleet of 14 freighters out of its Nairobi and Johannesburg hub, Astral Aviation services a network of 15 African destinations, which Etihad Cargo will leverage for increased vaccine distribution across Africa. Both carriers are members of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero, whose joint Project Sunrays initiative offers cross-industry collaboration for pharma shippers managing complex vaccine distribution logistics.

Riding on the digital success with eCommerce contributing to 25% of its annual sales, Orion, one of the largest Korean food companies, has now announced its Direct-to-Consumer website ShopOrionIndia.com in India. The announcement comes within just a year of Orion’s India launch and ties in with its digital-first approach. The company owned online store has already clocked in 500 – 1000 visitors per day in the pilot phase and is expecting a traffic surge of 100% during the festive season. Consumers will be able to buy their favourite Orion snacks using www.shoporionindia.com at zero delivery charges. Orion’s foray into India’s $44.6 billion Direct-to-Consumer space is part of the company’s efforts to establish a direct connect with consumers across India. It will also help the company cater to the rising demand for its products from cities where it is yet to make a retail debut, especially around the festive season. A leading logistics solution provider and fulfilment centre have been enrolled as partners for quick and seamless delivery experience

In it’s 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM), The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) announced the new office bearers for the year 2021-2022. The new Managing Committee for 2021-22 assumed office at the conclusion of this AGM. The new members are Afzal Malbarwala – President, C.K. Govil – Vice President, Ashish Asaf – Hon. Secretary General, Anil Vazirani – Hon. Treasurer, Samir Shah- Member, Managing Committee, Mahesh Trikha- Member, Managing Committee, Ronald Goveas- Member, Managing Committee, Jaideep Raha- Member, Managing Committee, Siddharth Jairaj- Member, Managing Committee, Praveen Menon – Member, Managing Committee, Vikram Kumar – Member, Managing Committee.

GEODIS announced the upcoming launch of a new multi-user facility at the LOGOS Logistics Estate in Luhari, 60 kilometres north of Delhi. This will support the rapidly growing needs of GEODIS clients within the retail sector. Developed by LOGOS, one of Asia Pacific’s top logistics property groups, the new purpose-built facility offers both a modern infrastructure and an extensive space that allows GEODIS to fully optimize its contract logistics offerings to the Indian market which is currently experiencing unprecedented demand. The shift towards online shopping and omnichannel platforms, accelerated by the pandemic, has compelled retailers to seek logistics operators who can provide the sheer capacity to manage large merchandise inventory, along with the necessary tools to ensure both real-time and end-to-end visibility. The 26,654 sqm warehouse will have a state-of-the-art storage system consisting of both selective and very narrow aisle (VNA) pallet racks. Equipped in this way, the new facility addresses retailers’ concerns regarding space availability and packing efficiency to ramp up order processing procedures.

Mahindra Logistics Ltd., has scaled up its operations to meet the festive season demand by ramping up hiring and expanding capacity. The company plans to recruit more than 14000 employees on a seasonal basis adding to its third-party workforce. During the upcoming festive season, the company is adding solutions like pop-up facilities across 8 major cities in India aggregating to 1.1 million sq. ft. These additions are for its e-commerce customers spanning across fulfilment center, sort center and returns processing centers, which would ensure efficient and timely delivery to customers. Besides this, the company has also increased its last mile reach by opening multiple last-mile delivery centers across the country. These centres are equipped to deliver more than 100,000 shipments per day for small as well as large packages.

Northern Railway has launched its new AC freight express train service running from Ferozepur Division’s Sanhewal to South Western Railway’s Yesvantpur, with 20 second and third AC carriages. The first AC cargo express train left Sanhewal of the Ferozepur division for Yeshwantpur of the South Western Railway. According to authorities, this is the first time an AC freight express train has operated on Indian rails. Northern Railway General Manager Ashutosh Gangal announced that a train carrying ICF’s standard air-conditioned passenger coaches had been converted into freight for the first time and there are plans in place for the loading of 121 tonnes of material. Chocolate, raw materials, noodles, sauce, and fabric, among other things, have been put into the train.

Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd is pleased to announce the movement of Genex 1B engine, weighing over 10 tones, biggest in the GE family, from US to India. The scope of work extended from Door to Port including packing, lashing and movement of engine on Air Ride Trailer. Genex 1B engine Designed specifically for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family. Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd Aerospace Team has for over a decade been the foremost choice for MRO/OEMs/ Commercial Carriers/Lessors for their AOG/DG/HAZ/Time Critical movements across the globe. The faith and confidence is nurtured by our dedicated AOG team who works round the clock monitoring the shipment status, end to end.

WISTA is the first to conduct a survey focusing on impact of covid both positive and negative on women in the maritime sector, taking the lead building upon the research done indicating the impact of the global pandemic on women. WISTA International has launched a maritime specific survey, concentrating on women in the maritime industry, in collaboration with Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo in Brazil who will be sponsoring WISTA with 240 hours of research work. The online survey focuses on the impact COVID-19 has had on both the professional and personal lives of around 3800 women in the maritime industry who are members of WISTA’s global network. The survey is part of WISTA’s diversity committee’s ongoing programme and the research will help to define the current position of women and the opportunities for them in the maritime sector.