Welspun One has secured Rs 2,300 crore construction financing from the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) for its flagship logistics park project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The JNPA logistics park, spanning 55 acres, is its largest logistics development in India, it said. The funding by NaBFID is a 22-year term loan project. “While we have financed other warehousing projects, this project is unique as it comes up in a SEZ and is being built to international standards,” said Samuel Joseph, DMD, NaBFID. Located within the JNPA Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Navi Mumbai, with a total development potential of over 3.6 million square feet, the industrial and warehousing facility will cater to e-commerce, 3PL, FMCG, and manufacturing sectors. Securing this funding ensures the timely execution of the JNPA project, reinforcing Welspun One’s commitment to large-scale infrastructure development, the company said in its statement. “This park will set new benchmarks in efficiency and scalability, supporting India’s growing demand for high-quality warehousing solutions. With NaBFID’s support, we are positioned to accelerate execution, while continuing to drive long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Anshul Singhal, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Welspun One.  Comments

With large acquisitions and developments, Dachser grew significantly in 2024, with sales growth of 13 per cent lifting revenue above the 8 billion mark to EUR 8.027 billion. The family-owned company also recorded significant year-over-year increase in other key figures such as headcount (+3,300), locations (+56), and pallet spaces in its warehouses (+720,000). This growth is largely due to the acquisitions of DACHSER & FERCAM Italia, Frigoscandia, and Brummer, which will appear on the balance sheet for the first time in 2024. In purely organic terms, i.e., excluding acquisitions, Dachser grew by 4.7 percent compared to the previous year. This was driven by resilience in its European groupage network and rate increases in air and sea freight. Transported volumes rose by 7.6 percent to approximately 83.2 million shipments, while tonnage increased by 10.2 percent to some 44.1 million. Business development would have been more dynamic, but there was a lack of growth impetus from Germany and Europe: “High costs, weak industrial production, and a decline in personal consumption have also had an impact on our business. Moreover, the many crises we face around the world today have been a constant stress test for our customers, and hence also for us,” says Burkhard Eling, Dachser CEO.

  Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has achieved significant milestones in cargo operations for the financial year 2024-25 (FY’25). The airport surpassed 500,000 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo, underscoring its growing importance as a key aviation gateway for both passengers and cargo in the region. The airport handled a total of 502,480 MT of cargo in the financial year 2024-25 (FY’25). This achievement marks a notable 14% year-on-year growth, reinforcing the Airport’s position as a key logistics hub for both India and global trade. Cargo growth was driven by a 21% rise in international cargo, totalling 321,418 MT, while domestic cargo grew 4%, reaching 181,062 MT. For the fourth consecutive year, BLR Airport retains its position as India’s No.1 Airport for perishable exports, reinforcing its role in strengthening the country’s agricultural supply chain. The Airport continues to lead in mango and coriander exports, with cargo demand further driven by ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, and machinery parts.With 12 dedicated freighter airlines, BLR Airport ensures efficient global connectivity, linking major export hubs like Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Chicago, and Muscat, while key imports flow in from Shenzhen, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Frankfurt. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), added, ““We are excited about the growth of aviation in Bengaluru and India. We believe that BLR Airport is very well placed to serve as the preferred gateway to South and Central India, and our investment in expanding airside, landside, and terminal capacity positions us perfectly for growth over the next few years. With an investment of over 17,000 crores over the next five years, we are well-prepared to support the rising demands of passenger and cargo traffic in the …

In a major development, Delhivery has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Ecom Express for a cash consideration of Rs. 1,400 Cr from its shareholders. Sahil Barua, MD and CEO, Delhivery said, “The Indian economy requires continuous improvements in cost efficiency, speed and reach of logistics. We believe this acquisition will enable us to service customers of both companies better, through continued bold investments in infrastructure, technology, network and people. The founders and management of Ecom Express have established a high quality network and team, creating a strong foundation to integrate into Delhivery’s operations.” K. Satyanarayana, founder – Ecom Express said, “Delhivery is among India’s leading fully-integrated logistics service providers with significant scale advantages and will be the ideal shareholder for Ecom Express’ next phase of growth. With this acquisition and its inherent synergies, businesses across India as well as the logistics industry itself will benefit immensely through the combination of two like-minded players.” The completion of the transaction is subject to approval from the Competition Commission of India, and customary closing conditions. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. acted as the legal advisor and Ernst & Young acted as the financial and tax diligence advisor to Delhivery on this transaction.

Reshma Zaheer, CEO, TT Logistics and Cargo, “Trump’s proposed 26% tariff on Indian exports adds pressure on key air cargo sectors like pharma, textiles, and gems. While this poses short-term challenges, it may accelerate market diversification and strengthen India’s trade resilience. With active FTA negotiations underway, in my view and as we have demonstrated in the past, India’s air export sector has the agility to adapt and sustain growth despite shifting geopolitical winds.”

Mohit Kapoor, Chair- Projects and Events Committee, Warehousing Association of India said, “Higher tariffs disrupt predictability for third-party logistics (3PL) players and freight forwarders. As clients recalibrate their US-focused strategies, Indian logistics operators face uncertainty in volumes and scheduling. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), often dependent on US trade corridors, bear the brunt of warehousing rent pressures, longer storage periods, and altered fulfillment cycles. The pushback on Indian exports also affects Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), which are designed to facilitate global trade. Lower US-bound traffic threatens the viability of these FTWZs, making it imperative to diversify toward alternate geographies or value-added services. Despite these challenges, a notable silver lining emerges when viewed in a broader Asian context. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and even China have been subjected to steeper and more sweeping US tariffs—sometimes nearly double the rates imposed on Indian goods. This offers India a relative competitive advantage in certain key sectors where US buyers are seeking reliable alternative sourcing options.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “The new U.S. tariffs—26% on Indian imports and 10% baseline on all global goods—pose significant implications for India’s air cargo trade. High-value, time-sensitive sectors like textiles & apparel, gems & jewellery and pharmaceuticals will see reduced competitiveness, impacting air export volumes. An anticipated decline in exports may lead to a notable contraction in annual air cargo trade volumes and value. Freight forwarders and Airlines may face capacity underutilization and rerouting challenges as exporters explore alternative markets. On the import side, higher U.S. duties may affect goods routed through re-export hubs, reducing inbound air freight demand. However, India’s growing domestic consumption and diversification into Middle East, Europe, and Africa offer partial offsets.

Nihar Parida, Director, Strategy & Development at Uniworld Logistics affirmed, “The U.S. tariffs on Indian goods—especially pharma, gems, apparel, and auto components—have led to a measurable decline in air cargo volumes from India to the U.S., as costs rise, and buyers adjust sourcing strategies. This may lead to a long-term restructuring of India’s export logistics, with a greater emphasis on cost-efficiency and diversification of trade partners.  Pharmaceuticals:  Many generics and APIs faced stricter compliance and the loss of GSP benefits earlier but are now under a broader 10–26% tariff range. Gems & Jewelry: Historically duty-free under GSP, now subject to full MFN tariffs plus possible additional duties (up to 26%). Textiles & Apparel: With the GSP revoked and new tariffs added, Indian garments face tariffs of 15–25%. Auto Components: Facing new 25% tariffs under Section 232. Leather Goods & Footwear: Tariffs raised to 20–30%, especially on leather wallets, belts, and shoes. Let’s wait and see how it evolves. India could be a gainer in this as Mobile phone exports will increase due to Vietnam and China having higher taxes. Textile might increase due to Bangladesh Tariffs. But at the same time are we poised for more manufacturing is a question.

V. Chandra Kumar, Founder & Managing Director Active Freight Logistics, India stressed, “With global manufacturers looking for tariff-friendly alternatives, India is well-positioned to capitalise on this shift. The country’s growing industrial base, improving trade infrastructure and government incentives make it an attractive destination for companies seeking to diversify away from China and Vietnam. Industry experts suggest that India must act swiftly to enhance manufacturing capabilities, streamline customs processes and attract global investment to cement its position as a leading trade and logistics hub in the evolving world order. As businesses realign strategies, the coming months will be critical for countries vying for a larger share of global trade. Whether India can fully seize this opportunity will depend on policy reforms, infrastructure development, and the ability to integrate into global supply chains efficiently.”  

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics shared, “The United States imposed reciprocal tariffs may appear concerning at first glance, the actual impact on India’s overall exports to the U.S. is expected to be limited. Key export categories such as pearls, precious metals, minerals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics already face low U.S. tariffs (0–5%), helping cushion the effect. Interestingly, in some cases, these tariffs may even enhance the competitiveness of Indian products, especially if global competitors face steeper duties. However, it’s important to remember that such unilateral reciprocal tariff actions are not aligned with WTO principles, which are designed to ensure free, fair, and rules-based global trade. The bigger question remain, should trade be governed by reciprocity or by cooperation?