DHL Global Forwarding, the ocean and air freight division of DHL Group, has published a white paper on the topic “China Plus X: The New Global Supply Chain”. The document highlights the growing importance of multi-shoring strategies that go beyond the classic “China Plus 1” philosophy and focuses on diversifying production and supplier locations in several countries. The aim is to enable companies to safeguard their supply chains against global disruptions and to strengthen their operational flexibility. In recent years, geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted how fragile supply chains can be. The white paper discusses various countries in South East Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe as well as Middle East and South America as strategic alternatives to China, as they offer both infrastructural investment and increasingly trade-friendly regulatory environments. “The future of global supply chains lies in a flexible, sustainable and diversified structure designed for resilience. DHL Global Forwarding supports companies with a unique global network and local expertise to successfully shape this transformation. With our extensive portfolio of logistics and transportation solutions, we provide customers with the tools they need to realize their Plus X strategy and to focus on long-term stability”, states Niki Frank, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

Allcargo Gati has migrated its ERP system to Oracle Base Database Service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).  This migration has improved Allcargo Gati’s system performance and operational efficiency by 20 percent.Allcargo Gati offers comprehensive consultative logistics and end-to-end express distribution solutions for large, medium and small businesses in India. Serving enterprises across sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and durables. With more than 9,000 vehicles operating across logistics parks and national highways, Allcargo Gati ensures on time and seamless delivery across India. With India’s logistics market projected to reach USD $150 billion by FY28, Allcargo Gati recognised the need to modernise its IT system to capitalise on the industry’s growth. It needed to scale its legacy ERP system to enhance application performance and reduce latency and outages. After careful evaluation, Allcargo Gati decided to migrate its mission critical on-premises ERP system to Oracle Base Database Service on OCI. With OCI’s flexible, highly performant, and highly available infrastructure with built-in security, Allcargo Gati has optimised its operations and built a strong foundation to drive future growth and meet evolving demands. “Our mission is to delight customers and enable swift, safe and timely deliveries, every single time. To achieve this, it is crucial for us to embrace technology to improve business agility and scalability,” said Sanjay Khiyani, Chief Information Officer, Allcargo Gati Limited. “By migrating our ERP applications to Oracle Base Database Service on OCI, we have modernised our business operations and significantly improved operational efficiency to serve our customers better. We are already seeing significant business benefits with OCI, positioning us for success as we integrate new technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. These advancements will empower our …

India and South Korea have taken a significant step towards strengthening their logistics and infrastructure collaboration. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, and the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI),Republic of Korea, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Sejong National Research Complex in South Korea. The agreement was formalised by Youngchan Kim, President of KOTI, and H.E. Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to South Korea. This partnership aims to improve logistics efficiency, enhance infrastructure planning, and promote sustainable economic development through knowledge exchange and technical collaboration.

Group Concorde announced its latest partnership with Air Caraïbes and French bee starting February 2025. This agreement grants Group Concorde exclusive GSSA rights in 20 countries in Asia Pacific & Middle East, further solidifying its presence in key international markets. As part of this strategic collaboration, Group Concorde will represent Air Caraïbes and French bee in cargo sales and marketing, ensuring seamless logistics and enhanced connectivity for customers. With an extensive network and strong expertise in the aviation industry, Group Concorde is well-positioned to drive growth and expand market reach for both airlines. “We are honoured to be entrusted by Air Caraïbes and French bee as their GSSA partner in 20 countries,” said Prithviraj Singh Chug, CEO of Group Concorde. “This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier cargo solutions and strengthening global air freight operations. We look forward to contributing to the success of both airlines in these key markets.” This collaboration will enable shippers and freight forwarders in 20 countries and beyond to benefit from enhanced cargo services, increased capacity, and optimized logistical solutions. With this new milestone, Group Concorde continues to reinforce its reputation as a trusted GSSA partner, providing innovative and efficient solutions tailored to airline partners worldwide.

Rajen Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji, India, Chairman, Western Region, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) said, “The government’s focus on upgrading infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo, especially for perishables and agricultural products, will significantly boost air cargo growth. Improved cold chain facilities and faster airport processing will enhance efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and ensure product quality. Specialised infrastructure for high-value goods will open up global markets, while better logistics support e-commerce growth. Investments in modern warehousing and technology will reduce logistics costs and improve inventory management. This initiative will streamline operations, increase capacity, and attract more private sector participation, ultimately fostering a more efficient and dynamic air cargo sector.”

DTDC has entered rapid commerce space by launching 2–4-hour rapid delivery and same-day delivery services. This expansion is a testament to DTDC’s ability to leverage its robust logistics network, cutting-edge technology, and its success in the domestic e-commerce sector to enhance last-mile delivery solutions for businesses and consumers alike. As part of this strategic move, DTDC has established its first Dark Store in Bengaluru, signaling the beginning of a hyperlocal fulfillment ecosystem that will significantly improve the speed and efficiency of last-mile deliveries. This initiative will empower D2C brands and social commerce sellers, enabling them to provide rapid and efficient delivery services across India. DTDC plans to expand this service making rapid delivery options available to businesses and customers nationwide. This expansion will further solidify DTDC’s role in transforming the logistics and e-commerce landscape by meeting the growing demand for rapid delivery in today’s fast-paced digital world.

DP World’s ports and terminals handled a record 88.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, up 8.3 per cent year-on-year, despite macroeconomic headwinds and concerns over the outlook for global trade. The global logistics business, which now has the capacity to handle more than 100 million TEU across operations in 78 countries, benefitted from long-term infrastructure investment contributing to strong growth and new services calling at its terminals. While the Red Sea crisis posed a significant challenge to global shipping in 2024, causing delays and rerouting across major trade corridors, DP World’s record performance underscores the strength of its diversified global portfolio and its ability to navigate supply chain volatility, ensuring continued service for customers worldwide. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, said, “During the last 10 years we have invested more than $11 billion in world-class ports and logistics infrastructure to make trade flow. This record performance is further evidence that our long-term investment is providing the right services for our customers in the right places. “As we continue to expand our reach deeper into the global supply chain by expanding our end-to-end logistics capabilities, we are confident that the container market will continue to grow and that we have the capacity to service it. Whatever the short-term challenges, we remain bullish on the outlook for world trade.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “The government’s strong push for infrastructure upgradation and warehousing development, particularly for air cargo, high-value perishables, and agriproducts, is a game-changer. The latest Union Budget’s emphasis on infrastructure development, regulatory improvements, and enhanced connectivity reflects a strategic vision to transform India into a global aviation leader. These advancements will drive economic growth, improve supply chain efficiencies, and position India as a key global aviation hub by 2030, boosting exports and competitiveness.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “The Budget has proposed several steps to promote agri and perishable products under ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ in partnership with states covering 100 districts to increase productivity, adopt crop diversification, augment post-harvest storage, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit. The Budget has outlined measures to Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables & Fruits, National Mission on High Yielding Seeds. The government will facilitate upgradation of infrastructure and warehousing for air cargo including high value perishable horticulture produce. The Finance Minister mentioned that support will be provided to develop domestic manufacturing capacities for our economy’s integration with global supply chains. She also announced that government will support the domestic industries for leveraging the opportunities related to export fraternity. Every effort will also be made by the government to upgrade the infrastructural facilities at the airports to promote exports.

Reshma Zaheer, CEO, TT Logistics & Cargo and President, ACFI Women’s wing said, “The Indian government’s focus in the Union Budget 2025 on upgrading air cargo infrastructure, particularly for perishables and agricultural products, is a welcome step. It acknowledges air cargo’s crucial role in economic development and trade competitiveness. Increased capital allocation for modernizing warehousing, streamlining customs, and improving cargo screening will enhance efficiency, reduce clearance times, and support the movement of goods. These efforts will foster sector growth and help achieve the ambitious target of handling 10 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030.