DP World has launched first dedicated reefer rail freight service from Thimmapur, Hyderabad to Nhava Sheva (JNPA), in collaboration with Ocean Network Express (ONE). This solution has enabled the first-ever refrigerated rail movement from DP World Thimmapur ICD to Nhava Sheva, providing a customised logistics offering for the region’s pharma exporters. By shifting cargo from road to rail, the service ensures vessel connectivity. By consolidating cargo in a train, rail ensures the entire volume reaches the port aligned with vessel schedules.

Vikramjit Singh Ahluwalia, MD, Air Logistics Group India, go the DDP Trailblazer Award at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards 2025 in New Delhi. With 30 years of experience in global aviation cargo and logistics, Ahluwalia is recognised for his vision and execution. He he has been instrumental in launching and establishing operations for leading international carriers such as Bmi Cargo, Ocean Airlines, Jade Cargo International, All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Brussels Airlines, Alitalia, American Airlines, DHL Aviation, and Sichuan Airlines across India.

Commenting on the trade disruptions between US and India, CK Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight, said, “Tariffs continue to weigh heavily on India’s pharma exports, driving up costs and undermining competitiveness in key markets such as the US. As global trade dynamics shift and tensions between the US and India persist over pricing and market access, Indian pharma exporters face mounting uncertainty. While India continues to be leading supplier of affordable generics to the world, higher tariffs and regulatory hurdles in importing countries threaten supply chain stability and restrict patient access to essential medicines. To safeguard its leadership in global healthcare, India must engage in trade negotiations, seek tariff relief, and strengthen partnerships to ensure open, reliable, and resilient market access.”

Manohar International Airport (MIA), developed and operated by GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL) has announced handling of its first-ever expedition non-scheduled charter movement for National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco Goa (NCPOR). This charter flight an IL76 carrying essential material such as medicines, food supplies and other general commodities to Antarctica via Cape Town (South Africa) for the ongoing research in Polar and Ocean Sciences at Antarctica expedition. This is the first time an IL-76 has taken off from MIA. IL 76 nicknamed the ‘Gajraj’ is a large, Soviet-designed, four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter known for its heavy-lift capability, it serves as a primary transport aircraft carrying cargo to remote locations. This charter movement is the third specialised cargo charter handled by GMR Goa Air Cargo at MIA within last two years. GGACL has been a choice for handling critical specialised freighters and non-scheduled cargo charter ops with its world class infra, and specialised cargo handling capabilities.

Mahindra Logistics has expanded its Eastern India presence with the launch of two Grade A warehousing facilities in Guwahati and Agartala, adding over 4 lakh sqft capacity in the region. Spread across 3 lakh sqft, the Guwahati facility is the largest Grade-A multi-client warehousing facility in Northeast India. It houses the region’s first CCE, launched in partnership with the Logistics Skill Council under the Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The facility enhances the firm’s ability to serve key industrial clusters and transport hubs. Located 500 metres from NH 17, 11.7 km from Guwahati airport, and 7.1 km from Mirza Railway Station, it provides link to nearby industrial areas, including Uparhali, Palasbari, and Rampur Industrial Parks. The 1.3-lakh sqft Agartala facility is located to link fortify connectivity with consumption and production centres across Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur. It establishes a platform for cross-border trade with Bangladesh through a network that supports just-in-time shipments and fast, reliable fulfilment. Serving as a gateway for express logistics services, the facility enhances first-and-last-mile delivery, while advancing Mahindra Logistics vision of a future-ready logistics network.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport said, “The Government has been promoting trade through initiatives like the recent G20 Middle East Europe Economic Corridor, which promotes EXIM trade. Additionally, the National Logistics Policy, Unified Logistics Interface Platform and Gati Shakti are initiatives aimed at transforming the domestic logistics market, ensuring multi-modal connectivity, enhancing inter-stakeholder coordination and improving the ease of doing business in India. On the airports front, the government is in the process of developing a concept paper to promote hub airports in India. This initiative aims to position India as a hub for both passenger and cargo traffic, further enhancing its role in international trade and logistics.

Dipen Lalsodagar, Deputy Director – Sales, Global Aviation Services said, “India can provide the best connectivity between Europe and the Far East geographically. India is able to convert several airports into numerous freight hubs because it has the most airports in South Asia and a constantly changing infrastructure. Multimodal operations can connect a large number of seaports. To achieve this vision, we need liberalised aviation policy for seamless connectivity, bigger cargo terminals which are technologically advance and with skilled manpower to handle huge volumes, good infrastructure for multimodal connectivity, liberalised customs regulations for international cargo transfer and single window documentation between sea and air connectivity. Airport infrastructure requires bigger and modern infrastructure and more skilled manpower, implementing paperless process is the need of the hour. Liberalised customs regulations to handle international transfers between airports and seaports.

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “There is no gainsaying the fact that India is equipped with ideal geographical locations and has been steadily growing towards an enhanced economy apart from improving an all-round infrastructural support yet there are several other factors to be considered while trying to make the country as a global transshipment hub. As regards National Logistics Policy, it has taken various aspects of logistics into account knitting together all the dimensions, but the question remains that which agency will be entrusted upon these jobs whether warehousing, different modes of transport, packaging and metal handling. For example, for agri products, the temperature plays a major role in retaining their longevity hence transfer from a cold place to a warm one may cause deterioration of contents if not strictly taken care of with essential cooling facilities being in place to a transhipment hub. Thus, maintaining a robust cold chain is vital which is likely to encounter default in absence of proper infrastructure. Therefore, in regard to the goods especially the perishables it is vital to have these quality wise intact till the last mile delivery. Hence, in our opinion, several essential and adequate steps need to be taken to plug all the existing loopholes in the present system in logistics before India is considered fit to be declared a global transhipment hub.  

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “To realise India’s dream of becoming a global cargo hub, the industry must continue investing in modernising and expanding cargo handling processing facilities of international standards, integrating technology for efficient cargo handling and reducing turnaround times. Introduction of new globally accepted cargo handling facilities viz., Air Freight Stations, at off-Airport locations, to reduce the congestion at the cargo terminals. Enhancing connectivity between ports, rail, road and air transport networks to facilitate seamless movement of cargo across different modes of transportation. Embracing digital technologies to optimise supply chain operations, reduce paperwork, and enhance transparency. Streamline and simplify cargo clearance procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to improve ease of doing business.

CK Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight said, “Tariffs significantly affect Indian pharma exports by raising costs and reducing competitiveness in global markets. While India is a leading supplier of affordable generics, higher tariffs in importing countries can restrict access, disrupt supply chains, and erode market share. This may also discourage innovation and investments. For sustained growth, India needs to negotiate favourable trade agreements and push for tariff reductions to maintain its global pharma leadership.”