DP World has registered a 17 per cent YoY growth at its International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Cochin. The firm has achieved its all-time high volume in 2024 by handling 840,564 TEUs. DP World Cochin introduced new STS Ship-to-Shore cranes, e-RTGs, and expanded yard space, boosting the terminal’s total capacity to approximately 1.4 million TEUs a year in 2024. It also upgraded power infrastructure, ensuring reliable and more productive operations even during peak demand, which has resulted in this unprecedented growth. “This success reflects DP World’s commitment to invest in world-class infrastructure to meet user demands, operational efficiency, ongoing innovation and the expertise of a skilled and dedicated workforce. DP World Cochin will remain a crucial hub for regional trade, driving economic growth and strengthening global market connections,” Praveen Joseph, CEO, DP World Ports & Terminals, Cochin, said.

TT Group has announced a strategic partnership with AFCOM Cargo. As part of this collaboration, TT Group has been appointed as the Global General Sales Agent (GSA) for AFCOM Cargo, marking a significant step forward for both organisations in the dynamic air freight market. This partnership aligns with AFCOM Cargo’s vision to expand its global reach and enhance its service portfolio by leveraging TT Group’s expertise in the air cargo market. As part of the partnership, TT Group will oversee AFCOM Cargo’s global sales, marketing, and operational activities, ensuring seamless cargo movement across continents. The collaboration aims to provide users with enhanced service offerings, including faster transit times, competitive pricing, and expanded cargo capacity. “This collaboration with AFCOM Cargo is a testament to TT Group’s legacy of excellence and innovation. We are honoured to be appointed as their global GSA and are committed to delivering unparalleled value to AFCOM Cargo’s customers and stakeholders,” Arun Vasu, Chairman & Managing Director of TT Group, said.

Fintech firm Velocity has unveiled Shipfast, a solution designed to assist direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses offer quicker deliveries through their own platforms. Shipfast features 4-hour, same-day, and next-day shipping options, which will enable faster order fulfilment. The solution is designed to address major issues such as delivery delays, long issue resolution times, and inaccurate tracking. Velocity has collaborated with leading logistics firms like Ekart, Delhivery, Shadowfax, and Ecom Express, to improve the efficiency of shipping workflows and reduce the operational overheads for the brands. “Shipfast is a natural step in our evolution. While access to capital drives 40-50 per cent growth for D2C brands, faster deliveries can unlock an additional 30-40 per cent growth by increasing customer conversions,” Abhiroop Medhekar, Co-founder & CEO, Velocity, said.

Amitava Bakshi, President, Association of Supply Chain Professionals (ASCP) said, “State-specific logistics plans, aligned with the National Logistics Policy, play a pivotal role in transforming India’s logistics landscape. By addressing regional needs and promoting sustainable practices, these initiatives contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth and development. As of September 2023, 22 states and Union Territories have notified their respective State Logistics Policies (SLPs), aligning with the National Logistics Policy (NLP) to bring a holistic focus on logistics at the state level. They will attract more investments in the states due to creation of conducive environment for logistics operation. It will also promote the use of cleaner fuel like LNG to reduce the carbon footprint of logistics operation.”

Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Airport is set to resume international air cargo operations after 4 years (2019-20). The cargo operations will be managed by the Andhra Pradesh Trade Promotion Corporation (APTPC). The resumption of operations at the Vizag Airport will greatly benefit the industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles and seafood. Back in 2019-20, Vizag handled 470 tonnes of international cargo. The absence of air cargo facilities at the airport (since 2019-20) hampered the growth of local businesses in the region. Vizag’s Member of Parliament, M Sribharat has played a key role in facilitating discussions with authorities and central committees, which eventually paved the way for the resumption of international air cargo operations at the airport. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and State Minister Nara Lokesh for making this development possible,” he said.

Blue Dart has launched Low-Emission Integrated Operating Facility (IOF) in Bijwasan, Delhi. This facility, equipped with solar power installations, connects multiple air and ground services between North India and the rest of the country. The integrated operating facility is strategically located along the Dwarka Expressway in Bijwasan, Delhi, enhancing connectivity across the Northern region. By fortifying freight movement and providing robust multimodal connectivity, this state-of-the-art, 2.5 lakh sq. ft. facility aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and demonstrates Blue Dart’s vision on advancing India’s express logistics infrastructure. “The Bijwasan facility is more than an infrastructure investment—it reflects Blue Dart’s commitment to sustainability, scalability, and service excellence. As India’s largest low-emission integrated logistics hub, it enhances our distribution capabilities, reinforcing our promise of efficient, more sustainable cargo movement. By strategically expanding our network with state-of-the-art facilities and adopting advanced technologies, we continue to drive flexibility, accuracy, and speed across our operations,” Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said.

Air India has renewed 11 cargo and ground handling contracts with SATS and its subsidiary Worldwide Flight Services (WFS). Along with the renewed contracts, Air India has awarded 14 new contracts across major airports in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America. Chicago, Washington Dulles, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong feature in the list of prominent locations as part of cargo handling and ground handling contract. “Streamlining our logistics processes and enhancing service levels across passengers and cargo are instrumental to the ongoing transformation of Air India. By strengthening our partnership with SATS and WFS, we look forward to delivering a world-class operation for our customers around the world,” Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India, said.

Ketan Kulkarni – Managing Director – Gati Express and Supply Chain in his Pre-budget quote says – “Aligned with India’s ambitious vision of becoming a $7 trillion economy by 2030, Budget 2025 must prioritise rapid infrastructure development to enable the logistics and transportation sector to realise its full potential as a catalyst for economic progress and sustainable growth. We hope Budget 2025 will reflect the government’s commitment to continuity in reforms, stable decision-making, and progressive policies. Such measures can unlock industry potential by promoting breakthrough technological innovations, empowering start-ups to adapt to an evolving landscape, and bolstering the sector’s competitiveness and resilience. The industry anticipates bold initiatives aimed at improving last-mile connectivity and transformative reforms to strengthen the logistics and transportation ecosystem. A key expectation is the incentivisation of EV charging infrastructure, which is critical to driving sustainability through greater adoption of electric vehicles in logistics operations.”  

As per the reports, the air cargo capacity in 2024 reached double-digit growth (10 per cent) in 2024. The freighter capacity grew by 8 per cent in 2024, demonstrating the industry’s dependence on the dedicated freighters for carrying out bulk cargo. The air cargo capacity for Asia Pacific-North America trade lane surged 15%, whereas the Asia to Europe route saw an increase of 16 per cent in cargo capacity. The growth in these two lanes was mainly fuelled by the unprecedented demand of e-commerce in the year 2024. The air cargo capacity for Asia-Middle East and Middle East-Europe routes surged 17 per cent and 15 per cent respectively, mainly because of the modal shift from sea to air due to red sea crisis.

Addressing his pre-budget expectations for the logistics industry, Gayomard Driver – Executive Director & Group Chief Financial Officer Jeena and Company says – “As a key driver of India’s economic growth, the logistics industry anticipates ‘The Union Budget 2025’ to prioritize efficiency and innovation. Simplifying GST, accelerating multi-modal logistics parks, and incentivizing green logistics are essential to align with the National Logistics Policy. While technology will continue to be the transformative power revolutionising logistics operations and enhancing connectivity; it is equally important to focus on the training and skill development of aspiring professionals to remain competitive in the digital era.”