Sumadhura Group announces leasing of 1.8 lakh square feet of warehousing space to NX Logistics India (Nippon Express) at Sumadhura Logistics Park in Bengaluru. A part of the first phase of Sumadhura Logistics Parks development spanning 2.5 million sq. ft, this collaboration marks one of NX Logistics India’s largest warehousing transactions in the country. Sumadhura has entered into a 9-years lease agreement for offering a ready-to-move-in warehousing space at the logistics park to the global logistics player. The Grade A warehousing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities, offering unparalleled convenience, accessibility and top-notch storage solutions to the FMCG clientele of NX Logistics India. Sumadhura Group is investing Rs.600 crores in the first phase of Sumadhura Logistics Park, covering around 100 acres of land and offering 2.5 million sq. ft of commercial warehousing space. The company plans to expand the warehousing space to 6 million sq. ft in the next phase. Madhusudhan G, Chairman & Managing Director, Sumadhura Group said, “We are happy to welcome NX Logistics India, one of the leading global logistics players for warehousing solutions at our Sumadhura Logistics Park. Our collaboration reflects Sumadhura’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art warehousing solutions to businesses and transforming the logistics industry in India. The increasing demand for Grade A warehouses across various sectors indicates the growing market need for top-quality warehousing solutions, particularly from large-scale industries like FMCG, which is expected to become a $10 billion industry by 2030.”

Allcargo Gati Limited (formerly Gati) is strengthening its significant contribution to Agra’s footwear industry. Specialising in all kinds of footwear for both men and women, Allcargo Gati has been a vital part of this booming business for the past 20 years serving 350 MSMEs in this cluster and there is a significant rise in the sales especially during the festivals like Onam, Muharram, and Eid. Allcargo Gati operates across several key clusters in the region, including Hing Ki Mandi, which represents 50% of the MSME Cluster members with around 550 participants, and along with other clusters such as Shahganj, Tajganj, and Industrial, each comprising about 150 members each. With its major consumer footwear market in the south, Allcargo Gati has also firmly established its presence across India, serving the eastern, northern and western regions making sure that the footwear from Agra reaches markets throughout the nation. Allcargo Gati provides these clusters with reliable and efficient delivery solutions and has adopted the latest automation technologies in warehouses that has significantly enhanced the operational efficiency, accuracy, which helps to optimise costs.  Uday Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer of Allcargo Gati Limited, said, “The traditional pillars of the local economy in Agra are the leather and marble handicraft industries. “Our long-standing presence in Agra’s footwear market showcases our dedication to local MSMEs. We are excited to expand our presence, adding new kiosks to enhance our service and capture emerging opportunities. We are sure that our improved offerings will increase our impact in this thriving industry.”

M Afzal Malbarwala, Managing Director, Galaxy Freight says, “Fast customs clearance is the need of today’s technology world. It is crucial for improving operational efficiency. It reduces cargo dwell times, increases supply chain velocity, and enhances trade facilitation. Expedited clearance processes minimize delays, lower costs, and increase competitiveness. Implementing technology-driven solutions, such as automation and single-window clearance, can significantly streamline customs procedures, benefiting businesses and the economy as a whole.”

C K Govil, CMD, ActivAir Airfreight and President, ACAAI says, “In today’s fast-paced global trade environment, delays in customs clearance can significantly disrupt supply chains, leading to increased costs, missed deadlines, and customer dissatisfaction. As air cargo continues to play a pivotal role in delivering time-sensitive goods, the need for streamlined customs processes has become more urgent. 1. Reducing Delays and Downtime Fast customs clearance minimizes hold-ups at borders, which can otherwise result in cargo sitting idle for hours or even days. Time-sensitive shipments, such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and just-in-time manufacturing components, suffer the most from these delays. A more efficient clearance process ensures that goods reach their destinations promptly, maintaining the integrity of the supply chain. 2. Boosting Operational Efficiency    When customs processes are swift and predictable, it allows air cargo operators to better optimize their logistics and inventory management. This directly translates to reduced storage costs, fewer logistical bottlenecks, and enhanced turnaround times for flights and shipments. 3. Leveraging Technology    Modern technologies such as AI, data analytics, and blockchain can accelerate customs clearance by automating documentation, streamlining compliance checks, and reducing human error. Implementing these solutions could enhance both speed and transparency in customs operations, significantly improving throughput for air cargo. 4. Compliance and Simplification    Regulatory compliance is a necessity, but simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures across countries can foster smoother operations. Collaborative initiatives between governments, international trade bodies, and the air cargo industry can pave the way for more efficient clearance processes. 5. Enhancing Global Competitiveness :    Countries with efficient customs clearance systems tend to attract more business and investment.  Faster clearance boosts the overall competitiveness of national logistics infrastructure, making it easier for …

  Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo says, “The import and export of goods at a station have been a vital part in achieving an enhanced economic objective. And one of the crucial bottlenecks has been the customs, an area that is ripe for technological innovation. Historically, customs clearance has been characterized as requiring plenty of documentation and lots of manual processing which needs to be done away with. In this regard, EDI, digitization & automation processes can be considered as important tools towards correction. Further, inadequate staff compliment and skills also affect the clearance pace at which the services are rendered thus retarding the process. Apart from such shortcomings, physical inspections and controls which could be seen as anti-trade facilitation leading to wastages of time and inefficacies thereby delaying the clearance functions. A far more accelerated customs clearance can thus be obtained by taking the above factors into consideration.”

Parvinder Singh, MD, Hans Infomatic says, “Fast customs clearance is crucial for operational efficiency in logistics. Delays lead to increased costs, dissatisfied customers, and lost business. At Hans Infomatic, we believe technology-driven solutions can streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance transparency, enabling swift clearance and improved supply chain management. No paper should be used, as processing data is significantly faster than paper, and eliminates the need for physical documentation. By leveraging automation and data analytics, government can modernize customs clearance processes, minimizing delays and maximizing trade facilitation.”  

  Nitin Master, Vice President, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “Faster customs clearance is crucial for improving trade efficiency in India. Streamlined processes reduce delays, long transit times, and congestion, while also curbing illicit trade at border posts. These bottlenecks hinder customs operations, compliance, and overall trade competitiveness. Enhancing customs efficiency will greatly support trade facilitation, contributing to India’s continued progress in global commerce. Digitisation is the key to improve customs clearance efficiency.”

  Sushant Nigam, Executive Director, ACAAI shares, “Regular intake of the inventory items requires quicker outgo to achieve operational efficiency optimally. Only the integrated efforts by Customs, other Regulatory bodies, Custodians, Agents, Exporters / Importers can result in faster clearance of EXIM goods. Such collaborated efforts would not only reduce the dwell time to the desired global level but also improve India’s ranking in the LPI of World Bank.”

The logistics industry is set to witness a major leap forward with the announcement of LogistiX Innovate’24, a groundbreaking hackathon event designed to drive innovation and technological advancement in the sector which is scheduled to take place in MCC MRF Innovation Park, Chennai on 20th Sep ‘24, LogistiX Innovate 24 promises to be a transformative event for students, professionals, and industry experts alike. Event Overview: LogistiX Innovate 24 is more than just a hackathon; it is a platform for creativity and innovation in logistics. This event brings together top talent from across the country to address key challenges and explore new solutions in logistics and supply chain management. Participants will engage in a series of intense, collaborative sessions to develop cutting-edge solutions that could reshape the future of the industry. Key Highlights: • Diverse Challenges: The hackathon will feature a range of problem statements focusing on critical areas such as air cargo logistics, warehousing, and road transport. These challenges have been designed to address real-world issues and drive meaningful improvements in logistics operations. • Collaboration and Networking: Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, gain insights from experts, and network with peers. This interaction will foster an environment of learning and innovation. • Prizes and Recognition: Outstanding solutions will be recognized with awards and prizes, providing participants with valuable exposure and opportunities for further development. Objectives of LogistiX Innovate 24: 1. Fostering Innovation: The event aims to encourage creative problem-solving and innovative thinking in logistics, driving advancements in technology and processes. 2. Bridging the Gap: By bringing together students and industry professionals, LogistiX Innovate 24 seeks to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, enhancing the skills and readiness of …

Chicago Rockford International (RFD) is targeting further growth in the pharma trade from India after recently welcoming its first shipment of the type from the country. The first shipment was undertaken by India-based pharma specialist forwarder Penta Freight India on behalf of a pharma company based in the country, said reports. The shipment was flown from Mumbai to Frankfurt and then transferred through Maersk’s hub at the airport before being flown to RFD on a Maersk Air Cargo/Magma Boeing 747-400F scheduled freighter flight. The airport said upon landing, the cargo was taken directly from the aircraft into an Xperts Group Reefer Truck by Menzies Aviation before being transported to the Chicago area for breakdown. The Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Good Storage Practice (GSP) pharma import process at RFD avoids airside air cargo building handling, RFD added.