Mahindra Logistics plans to launch nationwide Community Centers of Excellence (CCoE) in partnership with Logistics Skill Council, a not-for-profit organization set up by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, to address the shortage of skilled workers in the logistics sector. These centers will provide beneficiaries with skill development training and certification in warehousing, transportation, and other supply chain operations while generating employment opportunities for them. In the first phase, Mahindra Logistics launched its first CCoE in Bhiwandi, to be followed by another in Guwahati within Q1FY25. Both the centers, together, aim to train over 500 individuals in FY25 including those from underprivileged backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Commenting on the first Community Centre of Excellence in Bhiwandi, Mr. Rampraveen Swaminathan, MD and Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Logistics, said, “Mahindra Logistics is dedicated to empowering communities and fostering inclusive development. We are committed to contribute to society by addressing the gaps in the skill ecosystem through education, skill innovation, and placement. Our association with the Logistics Skill Council is poised to not only mitigate the shortage of skilled workers but also to spearhead a transformative shift in the sector’s dynamics. This initiative will address the need for skilled workers in the logistics sector as well as absorb 30% of the workforce into our operations”. Mahindra Logistics Community Centre of Excellence serves as a catalyst to equip both semi-skilled and unskilled workforce in India’s logistics sector through meticulously crafted training modules, encompassing theoretical learning and practical hands-on experience. As the logistics industry in India is one of the largest employment sectors providing livelihoods to over 22 million people, imparting industry-relevant skills and certifications will ensure continued growth …

Qatar Cargo has put into operation another Boeing 777-200 freighter – Boeing’s second 777 cargo aircraft delivery in April after a slow start to the year. The latest freighter (A7-BTB) travelled from Boeing’s production site in Everett on April 14 and began commercial operations on April 16. So far, the aircraft has been utilised on services to India and Europe, with flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Amsterdam under its belt. The airline has been expanding its 777-200F fleet over recent years and now operates 28 of the model, with the latest 777-200F understood to be the last the carrier had on order from Boeing. However, the carrier has also placed an order for 34 of Boeing’s new 777-8F, with options on 16 more. The delivery comes after Boeing was unable to deliver any 777 freighters in the first quarter of the year, although 11 of the aircraft were reported to have been built and were awaiting engines. The airframer also failed to deliver any passenger 777s during the first three months of 2024.

The lack of emphasis on quality, which results in compromised infrastructure within the cold chain sector is a main challenge, says Sanjay Sharma, COO, Coldman Logistics. “This neglect of food safety standards often occurs due to various cost pressures, which in turn lead to compromised supply chain processes. It’s imperative for food regulatory authorities to rigorously enforce quality norms and ensure that food safety standards are upheld without compromise. Only through stringent implementation of these standards can the integrity of the cold chain be maintained, safeguarding both consumer health and the reputation of the industry,” he adds.

Enhancing the efficiency and reliability of rail cargo movement is crucial for optimising logistics in India, says Adhendru Jain, Vice President, Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent. He adds, “The government’s strong focus on creation of DFCs and MMLPs are aimed at further improving the movement of cargo via rail. The 2024-25 interim budget for India’s Railways included the introduction of three new DFCs that will support multi-modal connectivity. Enabling public-private partnerships to further boost infrastructure development and improved efficiency of rail freight movement. The establishment of the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals coupled with the expansion of MMLPs, will greatly enhance accessibility across India’s key industrial hubs, facilitating seamless cargo movement. Addressing an imbalance in cargo movement, particularly evident in the major corridors of the North-East, requires a strategic shift towards rail-based transportation, reducing reliance on road networks and fostering equilibrium in cargo movement dynamics. Moreover, the integration of coastal, air, rail, and road modes into multimodal solutions promises a sustainable and efficient last-mile connectivity framework, ensuring optimal service delivery for customers nationwide.”

Emirates SkyCargo joined the Pharma.Aero global community with their wealth of expertise and commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics. “Emirates SkyCargo’s decision to join Pharma.Aero underscores our shared commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics,” says Trevor Caswell, Chairman, Pharma.Aero. “Together, we will leverage our collective strengths to ensure the safe, secure and efficient transportation of critical medical supplies, furthering our mission to serve patients worldwide.” Julian Sutch, Global Head, Pharma Sales, Emirates SkyCargo adds: “Through this partnership with Pharma.Aero, we are committed to lending our insight and capabilities to solve the industry’s biggest challenges and working collaboratively with other stakeholders to achieve a truly unbroken supply chain.” Emirates SkyCargo joins a group of industry leaders within the Pharma.Aero alliance, marking a significant step forward in the efforts to drive innovation and best practices in healthcare product transportation.

The National Capital Region in the first quarter of calendar year 2024 added 2.3 million square feet of fresh Grade A industrial and warehousing space to take the overall supply to nearly 7 million square feet across the top-5 markets, according to a Colliers latest report. Demand was led by third party logistics players, which accounted for over 40 per cent of the total warehousing space taken up during the quarter.

CMA CGM Air Cargo will begin operating a transpacific route connecting Asia to North America in summer 2024. “To ensure service to new destinations, CMA CGM Air Cargo will take possession of two Boeing B777-200F aircraft this year. The first aircraft, scheduled for delivery in June, will enable operations to begin on the transpacific route during the summer in anticipation of peak season. The second aircraft will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will also be deployed on the transpacific route,” says an official release. The first B777-200F will serve airports in Hong Kong, Chicago and Seoul, the release added. “The second will connect mainland China to North America. Flights will be operated by Atlas Air.” CMA CGM Air Cargo will take delivery of the third B777-200F in the first quarter of 2025. “In 2026, the delivery of eight Airbus A350F aircraft will enable CMA CGM Air Cargo to operate a global network, meeting the global logistics needs of air freight customers.” “As the launch customer for the cargo version of the A350, CMA CGM Air Cargo has opted for the most environmentally efficient aircraft on the market, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable transport. The A350F model stands out for a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its direct competitors. The A350F will also be the only large freighter capable of meeting the CO2 standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which will come into effect from 2028.”

Boeing is buying 9.4 million gallons (35.6 million litres) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support its 2024 U.S. commercial operations, reducing its carbon emissions and working to help grow the supply of the fuel globally. This is the company’s largest annual SAF purchase, more than 60 percent higher than its purchase in 2023, says an official release. “The blended fuel – 30 percent SAF made from waste by-products such as fats, oils, and greases and 70 percent conventional jet fuel – will support the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program and Boeing U.S. commercial operational flights.” Ryan Faucett, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Boein says: “As our focus remains on safety and quality, sustainability continues to be a priority. Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to decarbonise aviation. About 20 percent of our fuel usage is a SAF blend, and we continue to increase our use of this fuel to encourage growth in the SAF industry. We are also working to make SAF more available and affordable to our commercial airline customers through collaboration, investment, research and policy development.”

GoComet, a leading supply chain visibility platform, successfully concluded its industry conference, GoComet Odyssey Edition 2, in Bangalore. The event featured insightful discussions and strategies from key industry leaders such as Unilever, Tolaram, Himalaya, Tata Electronics, Britannia, and MSN, aimed at thriving amid ongoing disruptions. The event commenced with an address by Mr. Gautam Prem Jain, Chief Executive Officer of GoComet. Jain engaged the audience by tracing significant supply chain disruptions over the past five years, including recent events like the Red Sea Attacks, Suez Canal blockades, and the Baltimore infrastructure collapse. He posed a thought-provoking question, “Will disruptions ever cease in the international supply chain?” Jain further added, “What we once considered anomalies in the past have now become ‘business as usual,’ underscoring the need for resilient strategies in today’s dynamic environment.” Mr. Saravana Mariappan, Supply Chain Head at Tolaram, a renowned business conglomerate with strategic partnerships with Kellogg’s, Colgate, and Kimberly Clark, took the stage to share his fundamental strategy for disruption-proofing supply chains. Mariappan emphasized the importance of building better visibility through technology, He highlighted how digitisation upgrades led to proactive exception handling in their S&OP systems, resulting in a significant improvement of 10-15% in forecasting accuracy. He concluded that, “supply chain visibility is about making sure that the right data reaches the right people at the right time” to achieve resilience.” CA Sanket Chhajed, Head of Taxation & Audit at Himalaya Wellness, elaborated on the importance of digitization in building resilience and achieving profitability. He emphasized that businesses must approach digitization strategically, focusing on five key pillars: Problem Identification: Start with identifying business problems rather than solutions. Digitisation of Processes: Address the root cause effectively through …

DB Schenker has continued to build API connections with airlines to speed up the cargo booking process, this time connecting with Emirates SkyCargo. The host-to-host connection with DB Schenker’s internal booking platform provides agents with direct access to Emirates SkyCargo’s schedules, standard and contract tariff rates and available capacity, as well as the airline’s network of over 140 destinations across six continents. The connection will launch first in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and then globally. “Initially, the service will enable agents to book general cargo, with the possibility of adding other products from Emirates SkyCargo’s multi-vertical, industry-leading portfolio in the near future,” the carrier said in a press release. DB Schenker has been ramping up its digital connections with airlines over the past 12 months.