Category Archives: Technology

Cargo Talk sixth digital conclave on Digitalisation was a big success. The virtual conclave had eminent speakers from the trade. With the focus on Digitisation in the new normal world, the summit discussed at length the significant role played by digitisation. In just a few months, the COVID-19 crisis has brought about years of change in the way Logistics companies across the globe do business. The companies have accelerated the digitization of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations. Speakers included were Tushar Jani, Chairman, Cargo Service Centre Group, Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions, Ashish Asaf, MD, S.A. Consultants & Forwarders pvt. Ltd.

CargoTalk is back with its yet another digital conclave on August 12, 2021 at 11 am. The virtual conclave will have eminent speakers from the trade. With the focus on Digitisation in the new normal world, the summit will discuss the significant role played by digitisation. In just a few months, the COVID-19 crisis has brought about years of change in the way Logistics companies across the globe do business. The companies have accelerated the digitization of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations. Speakers will include Tushar Jani, Chairman, Cargo Service Centre Group, Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions, Ashish Asaf, MD, S.A. Consultants & Forwarders pvt. Ltd.

EL AL Israel Airlines is accelerating its digital presence with real-time eBookings, access to live rates, and visible air cargo capacity through WebCargo, a Freightos Group company. With the pandemic fueling digital adoption among both carriers and forwarders, EL AL is tapping into WebCargo’s platform. EL AL Cargo will be rolling out on WebCargo across a network covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering freight solutions for all types of customers and freight. This engagement enables more than 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across over 10,000 global branches instant access to capacity, pricing, and booking on EL AL Cargo. “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with instant and accurate information is essential,” said Mr. Ronen Spira, head of EL AL Cargo division.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has taken its first step into robotics with the opening of a new Automated Parts Store (APS) for its giant container- and loose cargo handling systems. The new, robotically-operated parts dispensing system enables urgently-needed spares to be quickly accessed around the clock, both for routine maintenance and in the event of occasional breakdowns. Hactl’s automated and highly complex Container Storage System (CSS) has 11 levels, is 260 m long, features a giant ULD racking system that holds 3,500 units and stores and retrieves up to 8,000 tonnes of air cargo per day. Meanwhile, its automated Box Storage System (BSS) handles loose cargo, using 10,000 stillages that run on tracks between the cargo pick-up and build-up areas.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) is now on the cusp of a digital transformation, with an Internet of Things (IoT) based solution to monitor temperature-controlled cargo all set to enable real-time supply chain visibility. Currently available at Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore (MABB), one of the Cargo Terminals at BLR Airport, the technology will enable live monitoring of temperature-sensitive products such as pharmaceutical and perishables, including fruits, vegetables, meat, sea food, dairy products, cut flowers etc. The TAGBOX-developed technology will provide shippers and agents real-time temperature data of the shipment from the time it leaves the warehouse to the point it is loaded onto an aircraft at BLR Airport. The battery-powered Tag360 sensor, attached to each small SKU, box, or pallet tracks the product’s temperature, at every step of the journey. Shippers and agents can monitor the end-to-end health of their products through a central monitoring dashboard via a web or mobile interface.

PHDCCI organized the 3rd Edition Virtual Supply Chain Excon: Future of Global Supply Chain and Logistics on 22 and 23rd July 2021. The two days ExCon witnessed exhibition and four technical sessions on different subjects: The Chief Guest for technical session on Revolutionize Urban Logistics was Vikas Chaube, JS, Logistics, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The eminent speakers were Shashvat Somany, Chairman, Retail Committee, Dr. John Gattorna – CEO, Gattorna Alignments, Adil Zobair, Vice President, Sedres Shipping, Virendra Sharma, AVP – Supply Chain, Jockey India, Arvind Kalra – Supply Chain Professional, Virendra Sharma, AVP – Supply Chain, Jockey India and Dr. Rakesh Paras Singh, Chairman, ISCM

Ecom Express, a leading technology enabled end-to-end logistics solutions provider for the e-commerce industry, announced the launch of its self sign-up portal called ‘E-zippie’. The portal is for micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, sole-proprietors and home-preneurs, to quickly, conveniently, and securely sign-up for a one-stop-shop for logistics services in less than 30 minutes. Commenting on the announcement, T. A. Krishnan, Co-founder and CEO, Ecom Express, said “With ‘E-zippie’, we can fast-track registration to less than 30 minutes against a 10 to 12 days process taken by most players in the market. The self sign-up portal is a major milestone in our effort to provide an automated and seamless experience for online businesses right from onboarding to fulfilling all their shipping requirements. We will continue to enhance customer experience by making logistics simpler and convenient for small and micro businesses, by providing direct control on their shipments and flexibility in managing end-to-end shipment life cycle. Our aim is to help them expand their market access to 27000+ PIN codes, diversify their customer base, and solidify their supply chain through Ecom Express.’’

IBM and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) operator of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR) announced a ten-year partnership under which IBM and Kyndryl will provide the finest IT solutions. The plan is to create a new ‘Airport in a Box’ platform that will support transforming the end-to-end travel experience for passengers at BLR Airport. To achieve this goal, BIAL has selected IBM global business services, IBM hybrid cloud capabilities and Kyndryl, the new, independent company that will be created following the separation of IBM’s managed infrastructure services business, to design and implement a next generation architecture with robust and dynamic delivery model. The new platform will also enable BIAL to improve employee productivity, better utilization of IT assets, reduce costs through streamlined inventory control and improved incident management. IBM and BIAL will work to ensure that the platform supports BIAL’s commitment to sustainability and the community at large. BIAL recently achieved its goal of net energy neutral status in the financial year 2020-21, consuming energy from renewable sources.

Indian government’s premier policy think-tank NITI Aayog along with RMI and RMI India has released a new report titled “Fast Tracking Freight in India: A Roadmap for Clean and Cost-Effective Goods Transport”, which highlights key opportunities for India to bring down its logistics costs. Owing to the increasing demands of goods and services, an increase in freight transport demand is expected. While it is essential for economic development, it is plagued by high logistics costs and contributes to rising CO2 emissions and air pollution in cities. The Report states that India has the potential to: Reduce its logistics cost by 4% of GDP Achieve 10 gigatonnes of cumulative CO2 emissions savings between 2020 and 2050 Reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 35% and 28%, respectively, until 2050

Fairfax Financial Holdings Group has provided the funding to set up COV-AID@BLR, a 150-bed, oxygenated COVID-19 treatment centre at BLR Airport. The facility would be operational on May 18, 2021. The Fairfax-led initiative, in partnership with GiveIndia, is part-funded by Kempegowda International Airport Foundation (KIAF) – the foundation of Bangalore International Airport Limited. The initiative will be managed by Fairfax Financial Holdings Group’s investee companies – KIAF and Quess Corp Limited. The Centre would be equipped with oxygen concentrators, medical equipment, pharmacy, pathology centre, nurses’ station and restrooms. It will be open to the public soon, and is equipped to treat patients with mild hypoxia