Ramanathan Rajamani, CEO at Air India SATS Airport Services said, “India’s cargo infrastructure is undergoing a transformation to meet the growing demand for efficient and timely services. With higher cargo volumes, there is a shift toward multi-modal supply chain networks. The air cargo sector is expected to see increased demand for faster, reliable, and sustainable logistics solutions in the coming year. Key drivers include e-commerce growth, rising demand for advanced cold chain logistics for perishables and pharmaceuticals, and stricter carbon-neutral regulations. The industry is becoming more interconnected, transparent, and environmentally conscious. Sustainability has evolved from a regulatory requirement to a core strategy for long-term success. Companies are embracing eco-friendly practices to align with global standards and attract environmentally conscious consumers. As a regional trade hub, India plays a critical role in connecting global supply chains, reflecting a global trend toward green logistics. Enhanced digitisation, including automation and data analytics, is redefining industry standards, ensuring scalability and resilience. With these advancements, India’s air cargo sector is poised to lead in innovation, sustainability, and global trade connectivity.”

Ketan Kulkarni, Managing Director, Gati Express and Supply Chain said, “Enhancing connectivity, achieving cost efficiency and building resilience and agility through technology adoption and capacity building have been key drivers as the logistics industry continues to enable India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Progress in rail and waterway freight movement, alongside extensive highway construction, has heralded a new era of multi-modal connectivity, setting the logistics sector on a robust growth trajectory. This progress strengthens India’s position as a rising global economic powerhouse. At Allcargo Gati, this environment has enabled us to fortify our networks, expand capacities and cater more effectively to high-growth sectors such as e-commerce and MSMEs, which are at the forefront of the nation’s next wave of economic expansion. Sustainability and technology have also emerged as defining themes this year. The logistics sector is advancing towards carbon neutrality through the adoption of electric vehicles, solar-powered warehouses, and cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT. These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also ensure alignment with global sustainability goals, creating long-term value for businesses, communities and the environment. As we look toward 2025, our focus will sharpen on fostering seamless connectivity, improving operational efficiencies and deepening our commitment to sustainable practices. Building on the progress of 2024, we at Allcargo Gati remain steadfast in our mission to empower businesses, strengthen supply chains, and drive India’s economic growth, contributing to the realization of a self-reliant, prosperous India.”

KK Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, CJ Darcl Logistics said, “India’s transportation and Logistics sector acts as the backbone to support the fast-paced growth of the country in becoming a $ 5 Trillion economy by 2027. With the framework of National Logistics Policy, GatiShakti, National Rail Plan, Bharatmala and other new initiatives implemented by the government, the industry would continue to move on the path to become technologically smarter and efficient. In the coming year, we anticipate enhanced collaboration between human and technology to provide solutions that will cater to the rising consumer demands for faster and reliable deliveries. Along with this, the industry will witness setting up of more hyperlocal and transhipment hubs to fulfil this surge in requirement. The government’s initiatives towards establishing new multimodal parks, developing dedicated freight corridors and revamping the shipping infrastructure would further support the growth of the industry. Adopting eco-friendly solutions would be the cornerstone for a scalable and sustainable growth of the sector. Another critical aspect that requires industry’s focus is reducing the number of road accidents by integrating technology and providing road safety trainings to the drivers. At CJ Darcl, we are ready to support & leverage these developments to provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers. With over four decades of experience and expertise in the logistics industry, we remain committed to innovation and excellence. As we move towards 2025 and beyond, our goal is to realize India’s vision of a sustainably and technologically advanced country. Together, we aim to strengthen India’s position as a global logistics hub and contribute to the industry’s development at home and globally.”  

In a move to strengthen footprint in cement logistics, Kaushalya Logistics has secured approval for depots in 3 new locations in Uttar Pradesh for JK Cement. The three depots are in Shahganj, Fatehpur, and Akbarpur, stated an official statement. These strategic locations would pave the way for streamlined operational efficiency and quick delivery times, offering robust logistics services to JK Cement. The expansion is likely to enhance revenue streams and create growth opportunities for the Kaushalya Logistics. “We are delighted to announce the addition of three new depots for JK Cement in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen our logistics network. This expansion reflects our dedication to providing efficient and reliable logistics solutions to our clients, while supporting the growth of JK Cement’s operations,” Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director, Kaushalya Logistics, said.

The Sindi Multimodal Logistics Park, a visionary project of Union Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, located in Wardha district of Maharashtra, is projected to begin operations in January 2025. The logistics park would significantly boost the exports to Bangladesh via the riverine route, reducing transit times and costs. DeltaCorp has sought permission to initiate the operations with the existing infrastructure. This would allow the operational services to begin before the scheduled commercial operation date. The initial exports to Bangladesh will be done via rail to Haldia in West Bengal, followed by river vessels to the location. The riverine route would ensure more efficient transportation of goods in comparison to the rail and road corridors, reducing the operational costs.  

RapidShyp has announced a pact with Delhivery. Through this collaboration, RapidShyp will now offer Delhivery’s express services across 18,700 pin codes, enhancing its last-mile delivery services, Ravi Goel, Chief Business Officer, RapidShyp, said.  The partnership incorporates advanced reverse logistics, providing e-commerce sellers with an efficient, end-to-end logistics solution. The pact is enhanced by the addition of reverse logistics, enabling RapidShyp to provide a full suite of delivery solutions for outgoing and return shipments. This ensures businesses can easily handle returns, minimising disruptions to operations. “By partnering with Delhivery, we are reinforcing our commitment to making last-mile delivery more accessible and seamless for e-commerce sellers across India.”  

Air cargo and logistics have progressed under the revised UDAN scheme. Infrastructure for swift cargo movement remains largely underdeveloped as against Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, Aditya Shah, ED, V Trans India, said. “While tier I airports offer advanced cargo handling, smaller cities face limitations in warehousing, cold chains, and congestion, affecting seamless operations and global competitiveness,” he added. Specialised facilities for perishables, sustainable solutions, and integration will enable players to scale operations effectively. At V-Xpress, we tackle these challenges with a robust network and advanced technology, ensuring reliability and speed. Our optimised multi-modal solutions bridge air and surface transport, reduce delays and enhance linkage.

Allcargo Gati has opened a MSME fabric cluster in Chickpet, Karnataka. The firm has established itself as the logistics partner for 1,200 out of 2,000 manufacturers ensconced in Chickpet cluster, Ketan Kulkarni, MD, Gati Express and Supply Chain Limited, said. The cluster handles an average tonnage of 12 to 15 tonnes daily, and processes 5,000 eDockets monthly. Members of the Chickpet cluster, associated with Allcargo Gati, target 30 per cent of North 20 per cent of West, and 50 per cent of Eastern markets. “At Allcargo Gati, we take pride in offering tailored logistics solutions that meet the unique needs of this cluster. By ensuring efficient connectivity across India, we are not just facilitating business growth but also contributing to the larger vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Kulkarni added.

As part of the subprogramme of Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem, the government has signed a contract worth US$ 350 million with ADB. Officials of Department of Economic affairs, Union Ministry of Finance; Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and the ADB. The policy-based loan would play a pivotal role in the expansion of India’s manufacturing sector and enhance the operational efficiency of supply chain. The program would further establish a solid framework for multimodal logistics infrastructure development.

To support the growth of containerized rail cargo in North India, DP World is set to commission a third line at its rail terminal in Pali-Rewari, Haryana. This expansion will increase the monthly freight train handling capacity of Pali-Rewari rail terminal by 25%. DP World currently operates seven strategically located rail and inland terminals that connect to a wide network of Indian rail terminals, ensuring unmatched reach and efficiency for customers across the nation’s industrial heartlands and ports. “Our comprehensive end-to-end surface transport solutions utilise DP World’s robust multimodal assets to deliver customised logistics solutions. We are committed to increasing the share of containerized cargo movement by rail, and the capacity expansion of our terminal at Pali is a key step in this direction. By leveraging our rail network, we not only provide efficient transport but also contribute to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions by 65% as compared to traditional road transport. We will continue to invest in strengthening India’s rail ecosystem to drive economic growth,” Adhendru Jain, Vice President of Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent, said.