Saudia Cargo has signed global logistics partnership agreements with Scan Global Logistics (SGL) and Air Logistics Europe to expand global logistics and air cargo operations. The partnership with SGL provides the Danish logistics company with priority access to Saudia Cargo’s global network. To further enhance its European presence, Saudia Cargo has also signed an agreement with Air Logistics Europe with the aim of providing integrated and flexible air cargo solutions between the UK and Saudi Arabia. The agreements were formalised during the recent Air Cargo Europe event in Munich, Germany. Loay Mashabi, chief executive and managing director of Saudia Cargo, stated: “These strategic alliances are pivotal to Saudia Cargo’s ambition to spearhead innovation and deliver unparalleled service in the global air cargo sector.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), in April and May 2025 alone, efficiently managed 3,624 metric tonnes (MT) of mango export, marking a remarkable 9 per cent rise from the previous year and reinforcing its expanding role in global trade. As India’s premier air cargo hub for perishables, CSMIA has facilitated the export of some of India’s finest mango varieties, including Alphonso, Chausa, Kesar, Badami, and Neelam, meeting global demand. London led as the top destination, followed by Toronto and New York, where Indian mangoes continue to enjoy a premium position and dedicated consumer base. Expressing delight, CSMIA spokesperson said, “ At CSMIA, we take immense pride in being the gateway for exporting India’s renowned mangoes to the global markets. With cutting-edge infrastructure and an advanced cold-chain system, we help preserve and elevate the global reputation of Indian mangoes by ensuring every fruit reaches its destination in peak freshness. Our commitment is to excellence and to supporting exporters in taking India’s finest mango produce to the world.” To uphold the delicate nature of mango shipments, CSMIA offers world-class infrastructure tailored specifically for perishable cargo. Its state-of-the-art Air Cargo facility sets a benchmark with cutting-edge technology designed to maintainthe highest standards of quality and efficiency. The heart of this operation is the Agro Excellence Centre, a 2,000 squaremeter temperature-controlled zone where every critical process from acceptance and screening to palletisation isconducted in a meticulously maintained environment. Temperature within the facility is consistently regulated between 15°C and 25°C to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage. Shipments are handled with utmost care to minimise exposure to heat and maintain optimal humidity levels. Palletisation is done strategically to ensure proper air circulation, further enhancing the longevity and quality …

“Emergency aircraft landings and unscheduled returns risk compromising temperature-sensitive cargo,” said Rajen Bhatia, Chairman Western Region, ACAAI. “For exporters depending on reliable air logistics, these incidents may result in product spoilage, missed delivery windows, and significant economic losses. However, there has been no cargo damage that has been reported so far. Currently Air India is having some issues with around 6-7 flights being cancelled due to technical reasons which has had very little impact on the exports of perishable cargo, but time will tell if more flights have maintenance issues then some cargo exports may be affected. This tragedy is definitely a turning point and the public trust in the national carrier can only be rebuilt through decisive and visible safety reforms. Let this tragedy serve as a pivotal moment to reinforce accountability, safety, and operational excellence across the industry.”

Amazon is planning to invest over Rs 2000 crore in 2025, as part of its commitment to building and operating India’s safest, fastest and most reliable operations network. The investment will be used to expand and upgrade operations infrastructure, improve associate safety and well-being programs, and develop new tools and technology for its fulfillment network. This new investment builds on top of Amazon’s investments in creating an ops network that helps the company deliver to all serviceable pin-codes across India.  “For over a decade now in India, we have been focused on building the best-in-class logistics infrastructure—designed to deliver with safety, speed, scale, and reliability for our customers across the country. These latest investments reflect our commitment to continually expand and upgrade our operations across our fulfilment, sortation and delivery network. By strengthening our infrastructure capabilities, enhancing processing capacity, and implementing state-of-the-art technology, we’re positioning Amazon to better serve customers throughout India while supporting our employees, associates and partners who are the heart of it all,” said Abhinav Singh, VP – Operations, Amazon India and Australia.

Porter announced its multicity expansion into the cities of Calicut (Kerala), Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu) and Rajkot (Gujarat). This multicity foray is a strategic move towards its goal of expanding its footprint in 4-5 cities year-on-year. With this, the company aims to empower local economies and SMEs, democratise access to efficient and flexible logistics solutions and create meaningful livelihood opportunities for gig workers across India. In line with Porter’s fundraising plans to strategically expand and enhance service offerings, it will commence operations in these cities with two-wheeler services in the first phase, with plans to introduce additional vehicle categories, including three-wheelers, Tata Ace, and other options in the coming months. Porter’s comprehensive range of offerings, encompassing two-wheelers, three-wheelers, Tata Ace, LCVs, HCVs, and electric vehicles, will eventually be available across all geographies, enabling faster and more reliable intra-city deliveries. Ankit Dwivedi, VP – Expansion Head, Porter said, “Expanding into tier-II cities is a major step in Porter’s mission to transform intracity logistics across India. By leveraging technology and local partnerships, we are creating flexible earning opportunities for gig workers and empowering MSMEs to overcome logistical challenges. Porter is committed to driving livelihood improvement for gig workers, enabling sustainable growth for small businesses, and contributing meaningfully to the economic upliftment of communities, strengthening the backbone of India’s economy one city and one delivery at a time.”

Arun Kumar, President, AMTOI said, “The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is more than just a metric—it reflects the overall health and efficiency of a country’s logistics ecosystem. While it is encouraging to see India’s, ranking improve in recent years, we must not lose sight of the broader picture. As the world’s fourth-largest economy, ranking 38th on the LPI suggests that there are still 37 nations outperforming us in critical logistics parameters. That gap demands serious introspection. One key bottleneck lies in how we diagnose the problem. Early on, the government cited a logistics cost figure of 14% of GDP and cantered its strategy solely on cost reduction. But this was based on questionable data and led to a narrow, often misguided, approach, what I would call a classic case of data-driven misdiagnosis. The real issues are far more systemic and behavioral. Our logistics sector continues to suffer from: Fragmented regulatory frameworks across ministries and states. Over-regulation and under-facilitation. A lack of trust between regulators and service providers. Slow adoption of standardization, digital integration, and interoperable systems. To address these, we must dig deeper, fixing the mindset that governs how we approach logistics policy. As Chanakya rightly advised, to solve a problem permanently, one must strike at its root. The root here is a legacy mindset that views business with suspicion and sees regulation as control rather than enablement. We need a fundamental shift, from process-centric governance to outcome-driven facilitation. This means building trust, embracing transparency, enabling risk-based compliance, and treating the logistics sector not just as a service industry, but as a national strategic asset. Only then will India’s LPI ranking truly reflect its economic standing and more importantly, its …

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated automobile Gati Shakti multimodal cargo terminal in Manesar, Haryana.  The mega facility aims to boost multimodal connectivity and streamline freight movement across the country. Constructed at a cost of ₹117,091 million, the terminal is a joint initiative of the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (HRIDC) which holds a 55.4% stake, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) with 19%, and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) with 5%. Lauding the rapid transformation of India’s railway infrastructure under the current government, the railway minister, said, “In just 11 years, the annual railway budget has risen from ₹25,000 crore to ₹2.5 lakh crore. Haryana’s allocation alone jumped from ₹315 crore before 2014 to over ₹3,400 crore,” he said.

  To cater to growing pharma market and to further strengthen the bridge between the two rapidly growing markets, Ethiopian Airlines has officially started new flight to Hyderabad. The cargo will be carried in the belly of the aircraft. The inaugural flight departed from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on June 16, 2025. With this launch, Hyderabad becomes the airline’s fifth Indian destination after Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Hyderabad is a key player in India’s tech and pharma sectors.

Allcargo Gati has joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network, a Government of India backed initiative aimed at democratising and expanding digital commerce. This strategic integration enhances the accessibility of reliable, tech-enabled logistics solutions for businesses of all sizes—helping them streamline deliveries, optimise supply chains and boost operational efficiency. Ketan Kulkarni, Managing Director and CEO – Gati Express and Supply Chain Limited, said, “By joining ONDC Network for B2B, we align with the government’s vision of fostering an open and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem. Our mission is to empower customers with seamless logistics solutions that strengthen their market competitiveness. Through our robust express distribution network, we enable businesses of all sizes to efficiently reach customers across every corner of the country.”

Amit Maheshwari, Founder and CEO, Softlink Global said, “Since Iranian airspace closed on 13 June, spot airfreight ex-India to Europe and West Asia has jumped about 30-45 %, and forwarders warn surcharges could touch 50 % if the stand-off drags on. High-value, time-critical loads—pharmaceuticals, electronics, auto parts and perishables—are scrambling for capacity. Eurocontrol data shows 1,800 flights were cancelled or diverted on day one, trimming export bookings and tonnage by mid-single digits already. Reroutes via Egypt or Turkey add 90 minutes to three hours of flying, stretching door-to-door schedules by roughly a full day and lifting insurance premiums further.”