Welspun One Logistics Parks has raised upwards of Rs 300 crore from a set of investors comprising of domestic high-net-worth investors and family offices towards the first close of its Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) ‘Welspun One Logistics Parks Fund I’. Launched early this year, this is India’s first warehousing AIF for domestic investors; key distributors of which are Sanctum Wealth Management, Edelweiss and InCred Wealth. The amount raised is a part of its Rs 500 crore maiden fund which when fully raised, along with associated bank financing will enable Welspun One to develop Grade-A warehousing assets worth Rs 1,900 crore; including its flagship 2.7 million square feet project in Bhiwandi which is currently underway. In total, the company expects to deliver a portfolio with an estimated leasable area of 7 to 8 million square feet over the next 3 to 4 years in pre-identified high growth markets such as Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, NCR, Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow. Welspun One’s investment strategy is focused on sourcing and developing feasible land parcels which suit institutional investors and get leased by valued occupiers, whilst maintaining high levels of compliance, safety and zero tolerance to regulatory lapses across the project lifecycle. BK Goenka, Chairman, Welspun Group, said “Led by an experienced team, Welspun One’s unique proposition of being an integrated platform which is able to execute deals from acquisition to development, leasing and divestment has resonated well with investors; as it mitigates some of the key concerns associated with similar products in the past.” He added, “We continue to be very bullish about this sector and are keen to meaningfully increase our allocation of capital through the Welspun One platform.” “Being the first mover …

As part of the multimodal cargo transportation project, SpiceJet has operated its first flight, carrying 48 tonnes of cargo including garments from Dhaka to Spain for a global fashion brand, while availing an inter-connect of two modes of transport through road and air. In this multimodal transportation of the cargo, the consignment was shipped first from Dhaka through Petrapole to Kolkata airport via road and then to New Delhi on a SpiceXpress freighter. From New Delhi, a SpiceXpress Airbus A340 cargo plane was then transported the consignment to Spain. Petrapole is the Indian side of Petrapole-Benapole border checkpoint between India and Benapole of Bangladesh. The initiative will provide an impetus to the Indian government’s vision of making India a transhipment hub. Multimodal transport is a combination of different means of transport to facilitate the movement of cargo, making it faster and more efficient whereby more than one transport mode is involved to ferry the goods to their final destination which may include trucks, trains, ships and airplanes. The initiative was undertaken in association with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India”s logistics arm AAICLAS. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “We are proud to launch our first-ever multimodal cargo movement between Dhaka and Spain via Kolkata and New Delhi with the help of the civil aviation ministry and AAICLAS.” Multimodal cargo service will actively and effectively contribute in streamlining cargo shipment across various domestic and international sectors, reduce cost and ensure self-reliance, helping realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi”s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, he added.

Ethiopian Airlines has operated COVID-19 vaccine delivery flights from Mumbai to Addis Ababa and from Beijing to Brazzaville. The airline transported the first batch of coronavirus vaccines from Mumbai to Addis Ababa on March 6, 2021 and from Beijing to Brazzaville via Addis Ababa on March 10, 2021, continuing to play its prominent role in the vaccine distribution. Commenting on the operation of the vaccine delivery flights, Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines remarked, “We are glad that we have launched the delivery of our mission-critical service with the distribution of much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine. We will be repeating the remarkable and globally recognised success in leading the fast delivery of PPE few months ago with similar delivery speed, professional handling and maintaining the cool chain during the global vaccine distribution. We have made enough preparations to transport the vaccines across the world.” Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, the cargo unit of Ethiopian Airlines Group, was instrumental in facilitating the flow of medical supplies including PPE across the globe in support of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by deploying its state-of-the-art cargo terminal, which is the largest in Africa with annual capacity of around one million tonnes and compartmentalised temperature controlled cold storage facilities. Equipped with different climate chambers ranging between -23OC to 25OC covering an area of 54,000m2, dedicated cool dollies, dedicated pharma team, lease/handling of Envirotainer & DoKaSCH-TS active containers, real-time temperature monitoring system and fully temperature controlled operation, the Pharma Wing is best suited for handling of pharmaceuticals and all types medical supplies. Additionally, leveraging the naturally air-conditioned weather of its home base Addis Ababa, Ethiopian guarantees safe and seamless cool chain logistics for handling temperature sensitive …

Shadowfax Technologies has announced the signing up for exclusively managing the Dark Stores for Drums Food International – Epigamia’s newly launched ambient product line for its Ghee Spread and Almond Milk across 7000 + pin codes in India. Shadowfax has integrated its cutting-edge warehouse management and last-mile delivery system with Epigamia’s demand management platform to help track customer orders real-time, which will ensure faster fulfilment and hence faster deliveries. Shadowfax has expanded its warehousing space from 5 lakh square feet to 6 lakh square feet this month in response to increased demand from its customers. With the E2E Rapid service, the company will provide end-to-end logistics and warehousing along with express distribution for effective supply chain management, faster deliveries, flexibility with proximity to consumers, and real-time tracking of Epigamia products. On the new acquisition, Abhishek Bansal, Founder, and CEO, Shadowfax Technologies, said, “Signing up Drum Foods is a big win for us as they are a recognized and loved brand in India. Our micro fulfillment centers or the Dark Stores, will enable faster deliveries along with our unique WMS which will help capture customer orders real time on the client website. We’ll be investing significantly in our WMS which will allow our clients to offer differentiated value offerings to their end customers. Further, we’ll also target on expanding our network to newer markets, in step with rising demand.” Rohan Mirchandani, Co-Founder at Drums Food International said, “The onset of COVID prompted Indian shoppers to go online to shop and discover brands, while brands like us strengthened our online presence via D2C platforms. Though Epigamia is all about innovative offerings, our key focus has always been customer delight. We wanted to …

Bangalore International Airport has launched India’s first dedicated express cargo terminal exclusively for export and import of international courier. Cargo operations at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) are set to get bigger and better with the operationalisation of the Express Cargo Terminal. Developed by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) – operator of BLR Airport – the 200,000 sq. ft. built-to-suit facility will house leading global express courier organisations such as DHL Express and FedEx Express. Express Industry Council of India (EICI) will operate the Common-User Express Terminal for other courier companies. The Common-user Terminal will add impetus to Bengaluru’s already strong e-commerce base. The Terminal will have a dedicated space for Customs offices, and direct access to both Landside and Airside. The terminal was inaugurated by M. Srinivas (IRS), Chief Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru Zone in the presence of Ashok (IRS), Principal Commissioner of Customs, Airport & Air Cargo Complex, Shiv Kumar Mohanka, Dy. Inspector General/ CASO, CISF ASG KIAB and Vijay Kumar, CEO, Express Industry Council of India (EICI). The event was attended virtually by R S Subramanian, SVP & Managing Director, DHL Express India, Manish Patel, VP Operations, DHL Express India and Mohamad Sayegh, Vice President Operations – India, FedEx Express. “At South India’s busiest Cargo Airport, this exclusive Terminal for express couriers at BLR Airport will significantly boost the trade and economy of the region. The new terminal will enable ease of doing business and reduce transaction time and cost for the shipper by providing a dedicated facility for express courier shipments,” said Srinivas. “BLR Airport is well on track towards becoming a cargo hub, offering world-class infrastructure, powered by leading global logistics providers. With …

Calling cargo an integral part of the aviation system, Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, says “Complete movement of essential medicines and goods has been felicitated via civil aviation and cargo. Aviation has emerged as a resilient sector that can survive through this pandemic.” Kharola mentioned that the Indian aviation sector has faced a lot of challenges caused by the pandemic but survived due to the air freight and cargo, implicating the extensive potential of air cargo across borders. An aviation system can function when all the parts of the system function efficiently and in sync with each other. He emphasized that aviation is an international activity, we should understand and appreciate that it’s an activity between nations, it’s economically important for all the nations. We have to work together, open new airports, bring in efficiency, reduce cost, and build equitable and strong partnerships between the nations and airlines. The minister expresses his views in the 7th edition of PHD Global Aviation & Air Cargo Summit themed Aviation -Air Cargo Industry’s New Growth Blueprint & Business Resurgence Parameters organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Titan Aircraft Investments, the joint venture between Titan Aviation Holdings and Bain Capital Credit, has announced the acquisition of two 767-300ER aircraft from Icelandair. The aircraft will be converted into freighters and leased back to the airline. Bogi Nils Bogason, President and Chief Executive, Icelandair Group, said, “With continued positive outlook for cargo operations post Covid, I am confident that the B767-300ER freighters will allow us to maximise new opportunities in our markets. These aircraft carry around 50 per cent more freight than our current two B757-200 freighters and fit very well into our current fleet and network. Our aim is to increase the capacity in our markets, as well as strengthen Iceland as a hub for cargo, in a similar way as our passenger hub that provides attractive connections between continents.” Michael Steen, President & Chief Executive, TAH, said, “We are delighted to welcome Icelandair as a strategic customer and to support their long-term expansion plans. The 767-300ER is a very attractive medium-sized freighter and we are excited to manage these two aircraft on behalf of the joint venture. We currently own 21 767-300ER freighters, which provide us with extensive experience in this aircraft type.” With the addition of these two B767s, TAI’s portfolio has grown to three aircraft, which also includes a 777-200 freighter.

In February 2021, cargo throughput (airfreight + airmail) at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) rose by 21.7 per cent to 180,725 metric tonnes in the reporting month – despite the ongoing shortage of belly capacity normally provided by passenger aircraft. Due to this robust growth, Frankfurt Airport recorded its highest February cargo month ever. Aircraft movements decreased by 69.0 per cent to 11,122 take-offs and landings, while accumulated maximum take-off weights (MTOWs) contracted by 56.7 per cent to 961,684 metric tonnes year-on-year. The airports in Fraport’s international portfolio continued to report mixed results for February 2021, with traffic performance depending largely on the pandemic situation in the respective region. All of Fraport’s Group airports worldwide – except Xi’an in China – recorded traffic declines compared to February 2020.

Tata Motors has unveiled its newest range of intermediate and light commercial trucks (I&LCV), the Ultra Sleek T-Series, designed and engineered to suit contemporary demands of urban transportation. Available in three models – T.6, T.7 and T.9, the Ultra Sleek range is available in varied deck lengths from 10 to 20 feet to adapt to all the required applications. A sleek 1900mm-wide cabin provides superior driver comfort yet swift movement in confined city spaces, and smart features provide for easy manoeuvrability. Launching the Ultra Sleek T-Series range, Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, “Tata Motors has consistently set new benchmarks by introducing smarter, future-ready products and solutions across its various segments. The launch of the Ultra Sleek T-Series range marks a new landmark in urban freight transportation. These trucks are sleeker and smarter enabling faster movement and hence higher utilisation and revenue with more trips. Built on the internationally recognised Ultra platform, the trucks are engineered to cater to a diverse set of applications.” The Ultra Sleek T-Series range combines futuristic styling with comfort, provides significantly lower Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels, ease of movement on congested and narrow roads and a fatigue-free driving experience. The walk-through cabin is rigorously crash-tested for superior safety and comes equipped with adjustable seat height, tilt-and-telescopic power steering, and a dashboard-mounted gear lever. The addition of an in-built music system, USB fast charging port and liberal storage space offers enhanced comfort, while air brakes and parabolic leaf suspension provide better safety and control with clear-lens headlamps and LED tail-lamps improving night visibility. Affirming its versatility, Ultra Sleek T-Series has variants available in 4-tyre and 6-tyre combinations and varied deck …

IndoSpace has announced the acquisition of 55 acres at Farukhnagar in Haryana. This acquisition is a joint venture with Model Economic Township (METL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and has a development potential of 1.28 million square feet. With this, IndoSpace has expanded its footprint in Delhi-NCR to over 480 acres across eight parks. The partnership reiterates the strong association between IndoSpace and Model Economic Township. In 2017, IndoSpace acquired 140 acres from METL in Badli, Haryana. The Farukhnagar micro-market has grown exponentially over the last few years and has emerged as a major warehousing and industrial destination in the Delhi NCR. Farukhnagar is close to Gurugram, New Delhi and other major manufacturing and consumption centers, and has fully developed social and physical infrastructure. This proposed development will meet the rising demand in Delhi-NCR for world-class Grade-A warehousing space from 3PL, FMCG, and e-commerce sectors. Rajesh Jaggi, Vice-Chairman – Real Estate, Everstone Group, said, “METL’s expertise in developing large-scale industrial infrastructure in this micro-market will add significant value to this partnership. This project highlights IndoSpace’s focus on supporting the growth of India’s logistics sector, which will continue to expand robustly due to improved warehousing infrastructure.” Shrivallabh Goyal, Whole-Time Director and CEO, METL, said, “We are happy to partner with IndoSpace to develop this world-class facility. This project is testimony to our pioneering efforts to attract world-class companies through best-in-class infrastructure and establish primacy of METL in the industrial and logistics map of Delhi NCR.” The logistics and industrial real estate sector has shown stupendous growth in the Delhi NCR region. The partnerships between IndoSpace and METL will contribute significantly to the transformation of the sector. The partnership …