JustDeliveries, a new-age cold chain logistics startup focused on mid-mile transport for India’s food and beverage sector, has raised INR 5.5 crore in a funding round co-led by VC Grid and NABVentures. Other participants included LetsVenture, Anay Ventures, and FAAD Network. The funding brings the company’s total capital raised to $2 million (approximately INR 15.9 crore), as per a press release from the company. Operating in a logistics market valued at $200 billion JustDeliveries is working to bring structure and reliability to perishable goods transport. Its plug-and-play, asset-light third-party logistics model is already in place across five major Indian cities: Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad. The fresh funds will now power expansion into three more cities, including Lucknow and Chennai, while also strengthening its technology infrastructure.

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is empowering Delhi small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to scale innovative ideas and reach global markets through its SME Connect series—an initiative bringing tailored logistics, digital tools, and strategic insights to emerging business hubs. “As SMEs accelerate their ambitions, we’re matching that pace with smarter solutions, stronger infrastructure, and deeper engagement,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President of Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx. “Through our SME Connect platform, we’re delivering more than packages—we’re enabling aspirations for SMEs to compete on the global stage.” Launched in 2019, SME Connect has evolved from a knowledge-sharing forum into a dynamic advocacy platform. In FY25, FedEx introduced new formats—SAMPARK, ANUBHAV, and MANTRA—to engage businesses in a more personalized way, aligned to their lifecycle and sectoral challenges, and connect them to global opportunities to thrive in this digital age. These efforts also support national programs like Invest India and Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s, One District One Product (ODOP) and District Export Hub (DEH) initiatives, promoting regional export hubs and sector-specific growth in cities like Delhi. To date, SME Connect has engaged over 5,000 SME customers and prospects through 58 editions held across 55 cities in India. FedEx connects Delhi entrepreneurs to international markets through its robust network, now featuring 23 weekly flights in and out of India. FedEx International Priority®: Critical shipments reach key markets in 2–3 business days. * FedEx International Connect Plus® (FICP):Affordable international e-commerce shipping across 14 AMEA markets, delivering in 1–3 days. *

“Harmonisation of customs procedures and the adoption of international standards are essential to enhance cross-border air cargo efficiency,” Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, FIATA Region Asia-Pacific Chair said, ” While digital processes are increasingly in place, the region is still in transition; many areas continue to rely on printed documentation. Full digitalisation and the reliability of customs processes are therefore critical. Customs authorities across the region must also be able to communicate with one another to avoid the need for manual manifest submissions, which can expose freight forwarders to the risk of penalties. The broader implementation of digital customs platforms, pre-clearance systems, and mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes can significantly reduce delays. FIATA is actively promoting the modernisation of the Global Air Cargo Programme, which governs the relationship between freight forwarders and airlines, and is advocating for the harmonisation of air cargo procedures across the Asia-Pacific. FIATA continues to foster dialogue with regulatory bodies to ensure the freight forwarding community has a seat at the table in shaping practical, trade-friendly solutions that strike the right balance between security and efficiency.

DP World has launched a cutting-edge, sustainable cold chain warehouse in Taloja, Navi Mumbai. The 1,10,000 sq. ft. grade-A warehouse features 11,000 pallet positions and supports multiple temperature zones to ensure the secure and efficient movement of perishable and temperature-sensitive cargo. Located just 8km from the Taloja-Dombivli Road and close to the Navi Mumbai Airport (39km), JNPA Port (43km), and key container freight stations (40km), the facility is well placed to serve Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Western Maharashtra. Equipped with advanced temperature control technology and next-generation refrigeration systems, the facility uses sustainable refrigerants to enable precision cooling, energy efficiency, and reduced emissions. It can cater to a wide range of temperature-sensitive products, including dairy, frozen foods, seafood, meat, pharmaceuticals and perishable agricultural produce. The new facility reinforces DP World’s commitment to transforming India’s logistics landscape and supporting the evolving needs of the pharmaceuticals, FMCG (dairy, frozen food, perishable agriculture products), and quick-service restaurant (QSR) sectors. Anoop Chauhan, Vice President – Contract Logistics and Cold Chain, DP World Subcontinent said: “With rising demand for high-quality food and healthcare logistics, our new cold chain facility in Taloja delivers a future-ready solution to businesses. It combines sustainability, connectivity, and technology to help businesses grow in India’s evolving consumption landscape”. The facility has been designed to the highest standards of safety, hygiene and compliance, meeting all regulatory standards for food and healthcare goods.  Key safety features include a dedicated pump room, high-performance fire protection systems, rockwool insulation, thermal-sealed architecture, and round the clock surveillance.  The warehouse is also equipped with temperature and humidity monitoring alarms and real-time environment tracking. Together, these systems provide comprehensive cargo protection ensuring sensitive materials remain secure and stable throughout …

Looking at the Tamil Nadu’s growing warehousing industry, witnessing increasing demand for storage and logistics space, Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to introduce a dedicated Warehousing Policy, aimed at fostering infrastructure development and attracting investment in the sector. It is drawing significant attention from leading real estate developers and corporate houses. It is encouraging more businesses to venture into this sector. Beyond Chennai, tier-2 and tier-3 towns are also experiencing rising interest in warehousing facilities.

In a major development, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed MoU with Rhenus Logistics to operate their barge services in various national waterways in India. Rhenus Logistics is a Germany-based international logistics service provider operating globally in more than 70 countries with an annual turnover of EUR 8.2 billion. The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi. Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW; Shri Vijay Kumar, Chairman, IWAI, along with other senior officials of the Authority and representatives of Rhenus Logistics India were present at the occasion. Under the MoU, Rhenus Logistics will deploy 100 cargo vessels along with pusher tugs in a phased manner along NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) routes. During the first phase — starting from the third quarter of 2025, about 20 barges and six pusher tugs are expected to be deployed in these waterways. A combination of pushers and barges, to suit low-draft navigation in waterways, will be used to transport both bulk and break-bulk cargo across North and East India, North-East India, and subsequently to neighbouring countries. The operations will gradually be scaled up to include other national waterways in the country. Union Minister Shri Sonowal called the MoU between IWAI and Rhenus Logistics India a bold step towards building a resilient multi-modal logistics ecosystem in the country. He termed it a significant moment for private participation in the IWT sector and expressed hope that it will open new opportunities of innovation and capital investments in the sector. This move will ensure effective utilisation and expansion of waterways infrastructure thereby …

Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Adani Group, has deployed India’s first hydrogen-powered truck for mining logistics in Chhattisgarh, equipped with smart technology and three tanks that can carry 40 tonnes of cargo for 200 kms of range. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off the first truck in Raipur on Saturday. It will be used to transport coal from the Gare Pelma III Block to the state’s power plant. The state-owned Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited has appointed Adani Enterprises as the mine developer and operator for the Gare Pelma III block through a competitive bidding process.

Stéphane Graber, Director General, FIATA said, “FIATA is responding by modernising industry standards—such as through the development of the electronic FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading—and by strengthening dialogue with international organisations to ensure that policy developments reflect operational realities. We are also investing in capacity-building to help our members remain agile in a fast-changing environment.”

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics said, “The temporary closure of key airports in Northern India—Amritsar, Srinagar, and Pathankot—has significantly disrupted cargo operations. Domestic shipments face rerouting delays, transshipment issues and pressure on alternate hubs like Delhi and Jaipur. International cargo, especially perishables, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, is severely impacted due to missed connections and ground handling congestion. Airspace restrictions over Pakistan have forced Indian airlines to take longer routes via the Arabian Sea or Central India, increasing fuel costs and turnaround times. As a result, freight rates on major routes like Delhi–Frankfurt and Mumbai–London will rise by 10–20%, with shippers exploring sea-air and land alternatives.

The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) organised a program focusing on the Cold Chain Packaging Solutions in Hyderabad on 8 May. “It was a resounding success, with participation from over 100 industry professionals. The organisers thanked their training partner, Envirotainer, and experts for sharing their in-depth knowledge and expertise, which added immense value to the session.”