CABT Logistics is investing $8 million (Rs 6,31,200) to build about 120 micro-fulfilment centres across India. This investment in micro-warehouses comes in the wake of the e-commerce and q-commerce boom, especially in a post-Covid world. The investment will ensure that CABT Logistics is equipped to help businesses scale up by furnishing orders in a timely and cost-effective fashion. The first phase of expansion will witness the setting up of 75-80 micro fulfilment centres in tier 1 cities. The second phase will include expansion in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Micro-warehouses in tier 2 and tier 3 cities will aid CABT Logistics’ clients in shaving off minutes and help speed up the delivery process.

MSC India transported heaviest ever breakbulk parcel moved by container ship from India, surpassing MSC’s previous record. It loaded 140-ton transformer on MSC Regina from the port of Mundra, India recently. The transformer is destined for a greenfield power transmission development project in Zambia. MSC’s previous heavy-lift record was for the loading of a 115-ton transformer in 2018 at Port of Nhava Sheva. India is catching up with countries such as China, Germany, South Korea, and the USA, where pieces of more than 200 tons have already been loaded successfully on container vessels. Lifting gears were used to make this a successful loading using the right combination of special equipment. Putting onboard a 140-ton parcel is a substantial process and requires immense focus and precision. “We extend a special note of thanks to members of the team at Adani Mundra Terminal who extended their cooperation as always. This entire operation was completed in the allotted berthing window, enabling us to maintain the vessel’s service schedule. The success of this operation has opened new doors for MSC to also cater to the heavy cargo category on container ships,” cited a press release.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has invested Rs 30,000 crore (around USD 3.76 billion) in its retail business and added 2,500 stores, taking the total store count to 15,196 in FY22. Besides, Reliance Retail added 11.1 million square feet of warehousing space during the year, nearly doubling the warehousing space to 22.7 million square feet, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) said in the annual report for FY22. “Reliance Retail has built capabilities through organic growth, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships with investments near Rs 30,000 crore in FY 2021-22. Reliance Retail added over 2,500 new stores and 11.1 million sq ft of warehousing space during the year,” said official statement from RIL. In FY22, on an average, Reliance Retail added seven stores per day.

LATAM Group has added its fourth passenger aircraft converted to all-cargo service as part of its growth plan announced in 2021. With this aircraft, the company has a fleet of 15 freighters, says an official release. “With addition of aircraft N564LA operated by LATAM Cargo Colombia, LATAM will increase its cargo capacity between Europe and the Americas.” Andrés Bianchi, CEO, LATAM Cargo, says: “This freighter will allow us to strengthen our transatlantic offering with more capacity from Europe to the USA, and to further connect cargo to multiple destinations in South America through strategic points like our Miami hub. We plan to continue expanding service to and from markets that are relevant for our customers as the remaining freighters included in our growth plan are incorporated into our fleet.” LATAM expects to end the year with a fleet of 16 cargo aircraft after the delivery of the fifth freighter due in September, the release said.

Blue Dart has strengthened its presence by introducing 15 new retail stores across the country. The stores will be launched on 15 August 2022 and will be in Odisha, Assam, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The new stores will widen Blue Dart’s presence in tier I and II markets in India. The expansion will act as an advantage for customers enabling Blue Dart to cater to 55,000 plus locations. With around 700 retail stores (with DHL) across India, Blue Dart offers the most reliable, resilient and responsive service providing a quick turnaround time and an enhanced direct reach to pin-codes in the country. Ketan Kulkarni, CCO, Blue Dart says, “As pioneers in Express Logistics and the nation’s trade facilitator we understand the growing logistic needs. The retail expansion will widen our network and improve accessibility to our customers. We will continue to identify new locations and will further expand our reach in order to improve last mile logistics to the remotest parts of the country.”

Rhenus Group has expanded its warehousing footprint in India with the opening of two new multi-user chemical warehouses in Jamalpur (Gurugram) and Bhiwandi (Mumbai). Rhenus is also proud to introduce their very own building, Rhenus Tower, located at the centre of the logistics hub in Mumbai-Andheri. The new storage solutions include a heavy-duty selective pallet racking system for customised storage, shelving systems for smaller / spare parts, an automated vertical lean storage system for the safe and optimised storage of products as well as temperature-controlled / cold-room storage facilities. The brand-new warehouse in Bhiwandi (Mumbai) opens on 301,000 square feet, with 32,000 pallet positions with a load capacity of 1.1 tons per pallet, and houses 20 docks. The upcoming multi-user chemical warehouse in Jamalpur (Gurugram) is equipped to handle 18,000 pallet positions with a load capacity of 1.1 tons per pallet and houses 19 docks with top-of-the-class infrastructure, such as automated roller shutters and hydraulic dock levelers. It also exclusively provides block space for flammable chemicals. These facilities have received operation approval from the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE) and the Pollution Control Board. Dedicated fire detection and management facilities and a 24/7 CCTV monitoring system provide customers with peace of mind for their cargo.

Industry recommended a parallel runway, an international cargo village, an aero city, and a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Parandur Greenfield airport near Chennai. At the initial discussion, the stakeholders made these recommendations to M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) said, the airport should have parallel runways rather than the intersecting ones at Chennai Airport to facilitate uninterrupted aircraft flow. A new, first-rate aviation city with top-notch infra was suggested to be built by the CII in the area surrounding the airport. The new airport’s transhipment and cargo handling capabilities could help Chennai become a major transhipment hub in South-East Asia. A separate corridor from the city to the airport by rail, metro, or road connectivity has been proposed for Chennai-Bengaluru route is overcrowded.

Handler Swissport has opened a new air cargo warehouse at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on the back of increasing demand. The 370 sq m facility is the handler’s sixth cargo location in Canada and the third new Canadian warehouse in under half a year. In comparison with 2019, the company’s volumes in Canada are up 35%, underlining the need for increased warehousing and logistics capacity. “With the opening of new warehouses across Canada, we are leveraging Swissport‘s global expertise to deliver world-class air cargo handling at more Canadian airports,” said Charles Roberge, chief executive of Swissport in Canada. “We are adding more services in more places making sure we meet the growing needs of our customers and changes in the industry. With its comprehensive service portfolio Swissport in Canada aspires to be the partner of choice for global and local customer airlines alike and we will continue to invest in our service delivery.” The company has also recently added new air cargo warehouses at Montréal–Mirabel International Airport and Edmonton International Airport.

SriLankan Cares, the CSR arm of SriLankan Airlines, takes on the cause of airlifting essential medicines gifted by Indian donors to hospitals in Sri Lanka, free of freight charges. SriLankan Cares has teamed with Sri Lankan Cargo to implement the long-term humanitarian project, aiming to channel medical product donations from India among others to hospitals in Sri Lanka that are struggling to cope with the ongoing drug shortage in the country. The project is also representative of the Sri Lankan national carrier’s enduring commitment to espouse national causes in the country’s hour of urgent need. SriLankan Cares has airlifted consignments of life-saving drugs donated by organizations and individuals. The medical supplies were flown free of freight charges on SriLankan Airlines and distributed to medical establishments across Sri Lanka.

According to report, Air India may bring back its 10 grounded wide bodied aircraft into service by early 2023. A wide body aircraft has a bigger fuel tank, allowing it to travel long global routes such as India-US and India-Canada. “Air India currently has 43 wide bodied aircraft, of which 33 are operational. This is an improvement from the 28 aircraft that the airline was operating till recently,” a statement read. “The remaining ones will be returned to service by early 2023,” it added. As per it, the progressive restoration of these aircraft has made Air India to increase schedule resilience and allow frequency and network increases over the coming months.