Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) has joined forces with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to drive advancements in sustainable logistics. The two organisations signed MoU to establish the CONCOR-TERI Centre of Excellence for Green and Sustainable Logistics. The initiative aligns with India’s environmental and economic sustainability goals and marks a significant step toward reducing the environmental impact of logistics operations. The partnership was formalised during the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. By combining CONCOR’s expertise in logistics with TERI’s research in sustainability, the centre aims to pioneer innovative solutions for green logistics management. This collaboration underscores India’s commitment to environmentally responsible supply chain practices.

Figures released by data provider Xeneta indicates that in February air cargo demand increased by 4 per cent year on year, the dynamic load factor was flat at 59 per cent and the average spot freight rate was up 10 per cent to $2.53 per kg. However, Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer at Xeneta said that there was also a ‘taste of what’s to come’ with strict rules for e-commerce shipments when rates from Shanghai to the US fell by 29 per cent month on month in February to $3.23 per kg. Van de Wouw said that Shanghai was likely to be the origin to first see the impact of lower e-commerce volumes. “Even allowing for the earlier Lunar New Year and the seasonal e-commerce slowdown at the start of the year, the fall in Shanghai-US spot rates, following the temporary removal of the de minimis exemption on Chinese shipments, may be one of the first indicators that the regulatory/political conversations are starting to affect the air cargo market,” he said. “If a fall in e-commerce volumes means there’s currently more available capacity to do business out of Hong Kong and southern China again, we would expect Shanghai to be the first market to feel this impact, and that’s what we saw in February. This may be short-term, but the uncertainty around e-commerce is impacting the market.”

SF Airlines officially touched down in Bengaluru on March 6, 2025, with its B767-300 freighter, marking a new milestone in India’s air cargo landscape. The airline will operate a weekly freighter service (EHU-BLR-EHU) with WFS BLR, a SATS Group member, as its trusted cargo handler. The inaugural flight was welcomed with a special ceremony as WFS efficiently handled both import and export cargo. This latest SF-WFS collaboration at BLR strengthens their growing network across multiple stations. With increased freighter capacity, SF Airlines’ entry into BLR will significantly boost imports and enhance connectivity for businesses. A new era of air cargo expansion begins!

ESR Group has launched its first integrated Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure at its 89-acre Grade A Taloja Industrial and Logistics Park in India. The new EV charging station is fully powered by renewable energy generated by ESR’s rooftop solar panels mounted on the charging station itself. This initiative aligns with ESR’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) 2030 Roadmap to decarbonise and drive sustainability in the Company’s operations – paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable logistics transportation system in Maharashtra and supporting the Government of India’s plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The EV charging station can charge up to 10 EVs and a variety of EV models simultaneously, catering to the different needs of businesses and tenants across ESR Taloja’s 14 buildings spanning 1.9 million square feet (over 175,000 square metres) of space. Six of these charging stations rated at 7.4 kilowatts (“kW”) are designed for four-wheelers, while the remaining stations rated at 3.3kW are for two-wheelers.    

Alpana Chaturvedi, CEO, My Logistics Gurukul said, “In addition to understanding documentation, processes in logistics, new entrants to the  industry need to be skilled in technical and also non technical areas. They need to be familiar with various automation softwares, AI tools and other technology that are being used in the industry. Besides these they need to have very good communication, verbal and written skills, with an enhanced focus on Customer Service skills.”

Mahima Agarwal, President – HR, CJ Darcl Logistics said, “Collaboration between logistics companies, industry bodies, and educational institutions is vital for strengthening workforce capabilities. In this direction the government, through bodies like the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC), has launched various skill development programs offering certifications and training in warehousing, transportation, and supply chain management. Additionally, the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), is playing a crucial role in logistics education, designing courses tailored to India’s evolving transportation needs. As part of our training programmes, we at CJ Darcl provide internships and trainings to college students and freshers to provide them an exposure to the logistics sector and empower them to become emerging leaders in the supply chain.

Apeksha Gupta, Head – Skilling, VCJ Foundation said, “The logistics sector is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations. This makes skilling, reskilling, and upskilling essential for professionals at all levels. Fresh graduates entering the field need foundational knowledge, while experienced executives must adapt to new tools and practices to remain competitive. Continuous learning is crucial for enhancing efficiency and driving innovation in logistics, ensuring a resilient workforce ready for future challenges. We have launched our Summer Course at VCJF, designed for fresh graduates looking to build essential skills in logistics and for experienced professionals seeking to reskill. This program offers a comprehensive understanding of both fundamental and advanced logistics concepts. Freshers will gain a strong foundation to kickstart their careers, while seasoned professionals will stay updated on current trends and practices. Join us this summer to advance your career and thrive in the evolving logistics sector.”

Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Logistical services in the air cargo sector comprise the vital components such as warehousing, transportation, packaging, supply chain solutions etc., which are essential to significantly improve the competitiveness of supply chains across the globe. Thus, a proper training in logistics management and skill development are extremely important to the present work force in the sector apart from the aspirants who are desirous to prosper their careers in the sector. It is clear that such training supported with enhanced skilled execution of functions are fundamental factors to successfully manage any company’s operations since a skilled manpower ensures optimal utilisation of the infrastructure and implementation of policy regulations. The government is also expected to extend its absolute assistance in extending the required skill training to the concerned personnel in all the possible areas, wherever feasible.”

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Training the next generation in logistics and air cargo is vital to sustaining industry growth and innovation. As global trade evolves, equipping young professionals with technical expertise, digital skills, and regulatory knowledge ensures efficiency and competitiveness. Investing in skill development will create a future-ready workforce, driving operational excellence and strengthening India’s position as a global logistics leader.”

  Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) airport cargo management system (ACS)  has automated the customs clearance operations of CKTS Company  (CKTS), ground handler at Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Japan. The first stage of deploying Kale’s GALAXY cargo management system has automated the shipment triggering and document acceptance process – with the objective to streamline processes that previously relied on manual data entry or were not harmonised, resulting in delays and work duplication. “Kale has consistently led progress in air cargo digitisation and digitalisation globally, and this launch is its strategic entry into the Japanese market,” said Atsushi Kato, Management Advisor, CKTS Company Limited. “At CKTS, we are excited to use the capabilities of Kale’s flagship GALAXY system and look forward to benefiting from its advanced functionalities for many years.”