The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organised Bharat Drone Manthan 2.0 in New Delhi focusing on Advancing the drone ecosystem towards Viksit Bharat. The experts focused on investing in drones manufacturing and technology to boost logistics efficiency, skilling and last mile deliveries. They also stressed upon creating an ecosystem in India for drones, by empowering startups, drone manufacturers and IT professionals. Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MoCA and Shekhar Dutt, Member IIPA and Former Governor, Chattisgarh graced the event as guest of honours. The key focus areas included evolving futuristic drone technology and current policy landscape, impact of drones on defence sector, drones manufacturing, innovation and R&D, capacity building, etc. Industry experts also participated in drones exhibition and engaged in insightful discussions. Experts from various sectors like tourism, IT, MSMEs and logistics participated.

DP World has invested in Mundra as a gateway for global commerce with trade links further strengthened by the first port call of the vessel M.V. MAERSK ATLANTA early this month. The MECL service’s port connectivity includes Houston, Norfolk, Newark, Port Tangier Mediterranean, Salalah, Jebel Ali, Salalah, Charleston North and Savannah. This service will enhance transit times, boost bilateral trade, drive economic growth, and encourage business collaboration within these regions. It will benefit Indian industries such as handicrafts, ready-made garments, textiles, machinery components (OEMs), pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, which have strong demand from the U.S. East Coast. Commenting on this significant milestone, Ravinder Johal, Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, Operations & Commercial, Middle East, North Africa & Subcontinent, DP World, said, “Efficient maritime routes and robust port operations are vital to supporting India’s expanding role in global trade and strengthening its trade partnerships. DP World Mundra is committed to fostering and strengthening trade connectivity between India and the world. The introduction of the MECL service marks a significant step forward, bolstering bilateral relations, improving direct trade connectivity, and driving economic growth for businesses across these regions”. Supported by DP World’s global network, multimodal expertise and Mundra terminal’s seamless connectivity to India’s road and rail networks, customers across Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh can now utilize the MECL service for efficient cargo movement. With a 632-meter quay, deep draft for large vessels and a 50-acre container freight station supported by dedicated rail connectivity, DP World Mundra prioritises seamless cargo movement to make global trade flow. The introduction of the MECL service, offering access to the U.S. East Coast, further solidifies Mundra’s role as a vital gateway for Indian …

  According to Zebra Technologies’ latest Warehousing Vision Study titled, ‘Elevating Every Move: The Formula for High-Performance Warehousing’, in 2024, India’s total warehousing stock has reportedly surpassed 500 million square feet, making the safety of frontline employees a critical focus alongside operational efficiency. As safety emerges as a top priority, automation tools are increasingly recognised as essential not only for optimising operations but also for safeguarding workers. The frontline workers clearly communicated the benefits of automating warehouse operations – and the risks of not automating fast enough. According to the study, 63% of global warehouse leaders plan to implement both artificial intelligence (AI) software (63% in APAC including India)and augmented reality (AR) (65% in APAC including India) within five years. In addition, 64% surveyed globally plan to increase spending on warehouse modernization in the next five years, with APAC leaders including India at 63%. Meanwhile, 63% plan to accelerate their modernization timelines by 2029, similar to 64% in APAC including India.

Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) has joined forces with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to drive advancements in sustainable logistics. The two organisations signed MoU to establish the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence for Green and Sustainable Logistics. The initiative aligns with India’s environmental and economic sustainability goals and marks a significant step toward reducing the environmental impact of logistics operations. The partnership was formalised during the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. By combining CONCOR’s expertise in logistics with TERI’s research in sustainability, the centre aims to pioneer innovative solutions for green logistics management. This collaboration underscores India’s commitment to environmentally responsible supply chain practices.

Figures released by data provider Xeneta indicates that in February air cargo demand increased by 4 per cent year on year, the dynamic load factor was flat at 59 per cent and the average spot freight rate was up 10 per cent to $2.53 per kg. However, Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer at Xeneta said that there was also a ‘taste of what’s to come’ with strict rules for e-commerce shipments when rates from Shanghai to the US fell by 29 per cent month on month in February to $3.23 per kg. Van de Wouw said that Shanghai was likely to be the origin to first see the impact of lower e-commerce volumes. “Even allowing for the earlier Lunar New Year and the seasonal e-commerce slowdown at the start of the year, the fall in Shanghai-US spot rates, following the temporary removal of the de minimis exemption on Chinese shipments, may be one of the first indicators that the regulatory/political conversations are starting to affect the air cargo market,” he said. “If a fall in e-commerce volumes means there’s currently more available capacity to do business out of Hong Kong and southern China again, we would expect Shanghai to be the first market to feel this impact, and that’s what we saw in February. This may be short-term, but the uncertainty around e-commerce is impacting the market.”

SF Airlines officially touched down in Bengaluru on March 6, 2025, with its B767-300 freighter, marking a new milestone in India’s air cargo landscape. The airline will operate a weekly freighter service (EHU-BLR-EHU) with WFS BLR, a SATS Group member, as its trusted cargo handler. The inaugural flight was welcomed with a special ceremony as WFS efficiently handled both import and export cargo. This latest SF-WFS collaboration at BLR strengthens their growing network across multiple stations. With increased freighter capacity, SF Airlines’ entry into BLR will significantly boost imports and enhance connectivity for businesses. A new era of air cargo expansion begins!

ESR Group has launched its first integrated Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure at its 89-acre Grade A Taloja Industrial and Logistics Park in India. The new EV charging station is fully powered by renewable energy generated by ESR’s rooftop solar panels mounted on the charging station itself. This initiative aligns with ESR’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 2030 Roadmap to decarbonise and drive sustainability in the Company’s operations – paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable logistics transportation system in Maharashtra and supporting the Government of India’s plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The EV charging station can charge up to 10 EVs and a variety of EV models simultaneously, catering to the different needs of businesses and tenants across ESR Taloja’s 14 buildings spanning 1.9 million square feet (over 175,000 square metres) of space. Six of these charging stations rated at 7.4 kilowatts (“kW”) are designed for four-wheelers, while the remaining stations rated at 3.3kW are for two-wheelers.    

Alpana Chaturvedi, CEO, My Logistics Gurukul said, “In addition to understanding documentation, processes in logistics, new entrants to the  industry need to be skilled in technical and also non technical areas. They need to be familiar with various automation softwares, AI tools and other technology that are being used in the industry. Besides these they need to have very good communication, verbal and written skills, with an enhanced focus on Customer Service skills.”

Mahima Agarwal, President – HR, CJ Darcl Logistics said, “Collaboration between logistics companies, industry bodies, and educational institutions is vital for strengthening workforce capabilities. In this direction the government, through bodies like the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC), has launched various skill development programs offering certifications and training in warehousing, transportation, and supply chain management. Additionally, the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), is playing a crucial role in logistics education, designing courses tailored to India’s evolving transportation needs. As part of our training programmes, we at CJ Darcl provide internships and trainings to college students and freshers to provide them an exposure to the logistics sector and empower them to become emerging leaders in the supply chain.

Apeksha Gupta, Head – Skilling, VCJ Foundation said, “The logistics sector is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations. This makes skilling, reskilling, and upskilling essential for professionals at all levels. Fresh graduates entering the field need foundational knowledge, while experienced executives must adapt to new tools and practices to remain competitive. Continuous learning is crucial for enhancing efficiency and driving innovation in logistics, ensuring a resilient workforce ready for future challenges. We have launched our Summer Course at VCJF, designed for fresh graduates looking to build essential skills in logistics and for experienced professionals seeking to reskill. This program offers a comprehensive understanding of both fundamental and advanced logistics concepts. Freshers will gain a strong foundation to kickstart their careers, while seasoned professionals will stay updated on current trends and practices. Join us this summer to advance your career and thrive in the evolving logistics sector.”