Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has begun clinical trials of its light-duty electric truck, eCanter, in India. A subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, the global leader in truck manufacturing, DICV had earlier announced plans to launch the eCanter on Indian roads within the next 6-12 months. The third-generation eCanter will be locally assembled to target the e-commerce logistics segment. This launch marks BharatBenz’s entry into the 3.5 to 7.5-tonne truck segment, a market the company had remained absent to date, according to an official statement. Globally, Daimler Trucks has sold over 2,500 eCanters, which have collectively logged more than 8 million kms. The eCanter, based on the Mitsubishi Fuso platform, is currently assembled in Japan and Europe. India will become the third major market to locally assemble the vehicle.

Solutions has opened a new regional headquarters in Delhi, India. The company’s new office will act as a central hub for its operations within the subcontinent, where it will provide logistics and freight forwarding services for customers both existing and new across the region, enabling the seamless movement of goods to or from India back to the UK. This latest expansion is part of LTS Global Solutions’ broader strategy to enhance its global footprint and solidify its position as a trusted partner for businesses, having only recently opened a regional office in Hong Kong, China earlier this year. It is also close to establishing a third international hub, located in Dubai UAE, which it expects to formally open in early 2025. Strategically located at the centre of the Trans-Indian Ocean routes which connect European countries in the west to East Asia, India serves as a pivotal trade hub for businesses across the globe, especially for those operating in the United Kingdom. With the UK looking to actively strengthen ties with the world’s leading economic powers to drive growth, LTS’ new office opening comes at a poignant time for the business. Only recently, Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced that fresh trade talks between the two countries will relaunch in the new year which would seek to strengthen economic ties. Currently ranked as the world’s fifth-largest economy, it stands as one of the UK’s most significant trading partners and one of the fastest-growing economies globally. It is on course to becoming the third largest economy in the world by 2050. Its strategic location offers efficient connectivity between major global markets, making it an ideal gateway for trade between Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched an ‘Air Cargo Device Assessment Programme’ with the aim of validating air cargo tracking devices, data loggers and sensor-equipped devices for compliance with industry safety standards. IATA explained the assessment programme aims to support more effective delivery of time and temperature sensitive shipments, reduce waste and preserve the integrity of shipments. The trade body said that for device manufacturers, the assessment programme streamlines the validation process by eliminating repetitive documentation requirements, facilitates easier access to airline contacts for device authorisation and enhances visibility in the global market. Airlines are expected to benefit from safer operations with fewer undeclared devices, simplified internal approval processes, and a consolidated repository of approved devices. Shippers and forwarders gain centralised access to approved device information, enabling better planning for routing and carrier selection. The device assessment programme validates compliance with IATA’s Recommended Practice 1693, which provides critical safety guidance for electromagnetic compatibility and battery safety. Validation data will be accessible via ONE Source, which provides a single access point to stakeholders searching for approved tracking devices.

The L.I.T. Group continues its strategic expansion into key global markets with the establishment of L.I.T. Logistics Services India. The new subsidiary operates in Chennai, Cochin, Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, reflecting India’s growing significance in the global marketplace. By launching operations in India, L.I.T. addresses the increasing demand for efficient and reliable logistics solutions in land, sea, and air transportation. The headquarters in Chennai not only offers presence in one of the major ports in India, but also close connectivity to transport networks, along with proximity to key industrial hubs, making it a central pillar of the group’s growth strategy in India. Martin Thomas, a seasoned logistics expert with extensive experience and local expertise in the Indian market, has been appointed as Managing Director. “India has become one of the most important markets globally in recent years. By establishing L.I.T. India, we are making a strategic investment in the country’s growth while bringing our expertise and high-quality standards to this dynamic market,” says Simeon Breuer, Member of the Executive Board of the L.I.T. Group. With the launch of L.I.T. India, the logistics specialist from Brake has, for the first time, established a subsidiary in the world’s most populous country Comprehensive Services With tailored solutions, L.I.T. enables its customers to achieve even greater supply chain efficiency. These customers include companies from industries such as Automotive, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, and Textiles. The new subsidiary focuses on multimodal transport solutions, offering a broad range of services including customs clearance and documentation, warehousing and distribution, and specialized project cargo handling. By leveraging L.I.T.’s global network and in-depth understanding of the Indian market, customers benefit from customized logistics solutions at competitive prices. Key Hub: Chennai …

  The India International Cargo Show (IICS) kick-started on 11th December at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai. The Grand Inaugural Address focusing on Empowering India’s Gateway to the World: A Vision for Next-Gen Logistics and Trade saw the presence of eminent speakers like Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mukesh Oza, Group President and CEO, Samsara Group, Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines, Dushyant Mulani, Chairman  Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI), Shankar Shinde, Chairman, International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA), Sanjiv Edward, President, Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI). Industry leaders also indulged in various insightful panel discussions on topics such as strengthening global supply chains, future of ocean freight, multimodal logistics and air cargo. The three day event is also organising exhibition for air cargo leaders to meet, greet, network and collaborate.

With expanding their fleet in Germany by 40 Volvo FM Electric trucks, DB Schenker is taking the next important step towards a sustainable future in logistics. The electric 20-ton trucks with the option for trailer operation are perfectly suited for both urban and regional transports. The 40 new vehicles will be deployed nationwide from December 2024. “By deploying an additional 40 electric Volvos for last-mile delivery, DB Schenker underlines its commitment to leading the transition to sustainable drive systems and strengthens its partnership with Volvo Trucks,” says Cyrille Bonjean, Executive Vice President Land Transport at DB Schenker in Europe, adding, “We will be able to offer low-emission transport solutions to our customers across the country.” On the way to sustainable logistics, DB Schenker continuously invests in innovative, low-emission land, air, and sea freight solutions to meet the growing customer demand for low-emission supply chains and to support them in achieving their sustainability goals. The use of electric trucks like the Volvo FM Electric is an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions in land transport. Another advantage of the electric drive is the significantly quieter operation compared to the conventional combustion engine. These two characteristics make the Volvo FM Electric ideal for use in urban areas.

  Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) celebrated its 63rd Foundation  Day on December 2, 2024 at Bengaluru. Office Bearers and Executive Members of the Federation from across the country and members of the Federation from Bengaluru attended this event in large numbers. N. Sivasailam Special Secretary Logistics (Retd.), Government of India graced the event as Guest of Honour, while P.K. Agrawal Pr. Chief Commissioner, CGST, Bengaluru Zone graced the event as Chief Guest. Advisors (Past Chairmen) of the Federation,  P S.Krishnan, R. Radhakrishnan, Shantanu Bhadkamkar, S.Ramakrishna & A.V. Vijaykumar were special invitees for the event. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman, FFFAI is his opening address welcomed the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, Advisors andExecutive Committee Members present for the event. Stating that it was a proud moment for FFFAI, he reiterated commitment of the Federation of further strengthening its vision of facilitating the trade, protecting custom brokers and empowering the fraternity with knowledge, skill development and training. He maintained that with the strength of its 31 Member Associations and close relationship with CBIC the Federation’s endeavour would be to closely work with the Government in reaching the goal of ‘Vikshit Bharat’ by 2047. Federation felicitated, the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour with a bouquet of flower and shawl.

Sumadhura Group inaugurates warehousing facility for Zepto and NX Logistics India, a global logistics giant at Sumadhura Logistics Park – Bengaluru’s largest Grade-A+ warehousing hub. This milestone marks the establishment of one of Zepto’s most advanced logistics spaces, aiming to optimise its supply chain and cater to its growing operations in the region. This facility is part of a strategic partnership with NX Logistics India (Nippon Express), which involves a lease agreement for 1.8 lakh sq. ft. The state-of-the-art facility, subleased to Zepto, is equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure to support efficient storage and seamless logistics operations, driving Zepto’s growth across multiple categories. Sumadhura Logistics Park, spanning 100 acres, is set to redefine Bengaluru’s warehousing landscape. The first phase involves a planned investment of Rs. 600 crores to deliver 2.5 million square feet of prime warehousing space, with a vision to expand to 6 million square feet in subsequent phases. This project underscores Sumadhura Group’s commitment to providing world-class logistics infrastructure in the region. Sumadhura Logistics Park has delivered 5,00,000 sq. ft space till today and plans to complete 8,00,000 sq.ft by March 2025.  

Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MOCA, GoI says, “My complements to ACAAI for hosting this wonderful Convention at Baku. Azerbaijan is a crucial link between the eastern and western world. Similarly India has great geographic advantage being the link between East Asia with America, Europe and Africa. As such, building bonds between the logistics players of the two countries is mutually beneficial. This Convention recognizes air cargo industry’s significant role in contribution to the country’s economy. The convention served as a platform for industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss emerging trends, technological innovations, and regulatory frameworks that can boost cargo efficiency. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the event supports India’s aspirations to become a global logistics hub, promoting seamless trade and economic growth. I particularly liked the nice amalgamation of technical sessions with sessions on yoga and mindful moves. On our part, the Ministry is committed to strengthening infrastructure with initiatives and policies that support the growth of air cargo in India.”

Kelvin Seow, Chief Business Officer, AISATS shares, “We have plans to invest heavily in video analytics in the next ten years as it will not only drive efficiency but also improve operational efficiency. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are the future and we are keen to adopt it. It will help in cargo identification, improving safety and security of cargo and building a great future. We have introduced that in our upcoming facilities at Noida International Airport.”