COGOS Technologies, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, has announced to employ and train 500 women drivers in its EV fleet by December 2021. The company will provide training, support in order to build entrepreneurial skill-sets in women drivers under its full-stack platform. As part of the pilot, they have already successfully trained and hired 50 women under the aegis of this initiative. In the entire supply chain ecosystem, the role of women is deemed as small with them only being a part of desk jobs. COGOS, a first in the industry, will impart both functional skills (such as driving, vehicle maintenance) as well as soft skills training (such as communication while delivering, customer orientation) to female employees along with full ecosystem support. Commenting on this, Prasad Seeram, Founder & CEO, COGOS Technologies, said, “We understand the immense potential of women in the workspace and hence have taken it to ourselves to aid in their process of achieving their full potential. The growth of women in the sector can only be triggered by valuing diversity and promoting its scope, which shall in turn add innovation and new perceptions to the business.” The company now has a presence in 21 states of India, with a network in 300+ cities and plans to focus on 100 Smart cities and 400+ cities across the country by 2021. They aim to target onboarding 100K truckers including women and a revenue growth of 3X YoY by the end of 2021.

Blue Dart is all set to extend this women’s day to the diversity and inclusivity circle with the launch of the first Blue Dart All Women Service Centre. The logistics industry has been stereotyped over the years to foster a male majority, Blue Dart has been putting in a significant effort to alter this perception of the industry, ever since the organization’s inception in 1983. The organization provides ample opportunity for its Blue Darters to take the lead and make their mark in the industry. With capable women encouraged to take on senior leadership roles in the organisation, Blue Dart is a testament to what being a gender inclusive organization in the logistics industry denotes. Located in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the All Women Service Centre comprises a team of 16 enthusiastic women who don the role of managers, customer service representatives, security personnel as well as sales and counter staff. This dynamic team will provide customers with the exceptional service quality that is synonymous with Blue Dart. Apart from this, the organization is taking its diversity and Inclusivity initiative one step further. The ‘Employer of Choice’ plans on initiating more women into the Blue Dart family and will launch another service centre in Andheri, reminiscent of its Kharghar All Women Service Centre. The Andheri Service Centre will operate at a 70 per cent women team capacity and will work shoulder to shoulder setting the pace of gender diversity. Inaugurating the All Women Service Centre, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said, “With our ‘People First Philosophy’ at the forefront of our business, ALL our people – gender, age, race, caste no bar – continue to be a priority within the …

Sharing her experience in the logistics industry, Tulsi Mirchandaney, Managing Director, Blue Dart Aviation, says, “With many barriers of former all-male bastions being demolished slowly but surely, especially over the past two decades, I no longer believe that any industry is gender-specific – intentional or otherwise. Women have proved their capability in every field – from sports to space, and from country to corporate leadership. If air cargo and logistics is still a ‘male-dominated’ industry, then the failure is ours in not being able to provide an environment to attract the rich talent and gender diversity that would undoubtedly help to grow our companies and communities across the country. “To be fair, it has been refreshing to see an increasing number of women in our industry – entrepreneurs, professionals, and couriers – delivering with equal zest and pride,” she adds.

DHL Industrial Projects is supporting Dunakeszi Jármjavító Kft with the transport of the largest order of rolling stock in the history of Hungary. In total, 676 coaches are being transferred from the production site in Dunakeszi, Hungary, to Egypt within a period of 32 months. The company will manage the end-to-end transport of the coaches, each weighing 48 tonnes and measuring 24.5 metres in length, as well as 4.5 meters in height. Packaged for export, the coaches are transported via rail to the port of Koper, Slovenia, where DHL is integrating the cargo via its charter carriers. From there DHL will deliver the cargo via sea directly onto the railway network in Egypt at the port of Alexandria. The first batch arrived safely in Alexandria on February 23. “The collaboration with Dunakeszi Járm?javító Kft is further testimony to the fact we offer the exact expertise required for this extraordinary transport,” says Ryan Foley, CEO DHL Industrial Projects. He adds, “I’m incredibly proud of the team in helping us to become a first-choice provider of the delivery of these coaches in a country with longstanding heritage in the field of rolling stock.”

DP World and CMA CGM jointly received their maiden Block Train from Mundra, Gujarat to DP World PFT (ICD) Panipat, Haryana. This new service is the first block train by a shipping line between Mundra and Panipat. The fully loaded 90-TEU train was flagged off from Mundra port on February 27, 2021. The service was received in the presence of representatives from DP World and CMA CGM India. The dedicated connections between the Port of Mundra and the inland container depot of Panipat will provide dedicated and seamless connection from Mundra Port to PFT (ICD) Panipat, thereby, making customers’ cargo reach internal markets faster. With priority rail out option and fixed train schedule, customers will be able to minimise waiting time at the Port as well as plan their cargo movements effectively. Train will depart Mundra Port on Saturday/Sunday. Ranadhir Reddy, CEO, Rail & PFT, Subcontinent, DP World said, “At DP World, it is our constant endeavors to offer bespoke solutions to our customers to solve their supply chain challenges and support their strategic growth ambitions. Our pan India network provides seamless connectivity that helps customers connect their cargo to global markets as well as across India’s vast hinterland. Through our investments, we are committed to enhance India’s rail freight share and offer trade solutions using multimodal logistics.” Atit Mahajan, General Manager, CMA CGM India, declares, “We are pleased to be the first shipping line to offer a block train service between Mundra and Panipat in collaboration with DP World. This service is the 10th dedicated block train service being operated by the CMA CGM Group in India. This service will provide a dedicated and direct loop from port to …

The Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) is acquiring the 31.5 per cent stake held by Windy Lakeside Investment (an affiliate of Warburg Pincus) in Gangavaram Port (GPL). The acquisition is valued at Rs 1,954 crore and subject to regulatory approvals. GPL is located in the northern part of Andhra Pradesh next to Vizag Port. It is the second largest non-major port in Andhra Pradesh with a 64 MMT capacity established under concession from Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) that extends till 2059. It is an all-weather, deep water, multi-purpose port capable of handling fully laden super cape size vessels of up to 200,000 DWT. Currently, GPL operates 9 berths and has free hold land of ~1,800 acres. With a master plan capacity for 250 MMTPA with 31 berths, GPL has sufficient headroom to support future growth. GPL handles a diverse mix of dry and bulk commodities including Coal, Iron Ore, Fertilizer, Limestone, Bauxite, Sugar, Alumina, and Steel. GPL is the gateway port for a hinterland spread over 8 states across eastern, western, southern and central India. In FY20, GPL had a cargo volume of 34.5 MMT, generated revenue of INR 1,082 crore, EBITDA of INR 634 crore (margin of 59%) and PAT of Rs 516 crore GPL is debt free with cash balance of over INR 500 crore. The Company has a paid up equity share capital of 51.7 crore shares of which 58.1% is owned by DVS Raju and Family (Promoter), 10.4% by Government of Andhra Pradesh and 31.5% by Warburg Pincus. APSEZ is acquiring the Warburg Pincus stake of ~16.3 crore shares (31.5%) at Rs 120/share which works out to a consideration of Rs 1,954 crore. …

Bajaj Electricals (BEL) and Mahindra Logistics (MLL) signed an agreement for innovative logistics optimisation and outsourcing arrangement. This deal is a complete end-to-end redesign and outsourcing of Bajaj Electricals’ entire logistics by Mahindra Logistics, with the twin objectives of achieving enhanced & industry-best service levels, coupled with a logistics cost saving in excess of 25 per cent. The total contract value, of this one-of-its-kind deal in the Indian Logistics industry, will be in excess of Rs 1,000 crores over the next 5 years and is the outcome of a unique and collaborative solution. Working together closely, MLL has developed for BEL a fully redesigned and consolidated logistics network, with storage optimisation, transportation management and inventory movement through technology, best practice and automation. At the heart of the network, there will be two large ultra-modern mega-warehouses in Delhi and Mumbai, with latest technology, automation and skill-building, enhanced by environmentally conscious, greener & sustainable warehouse practices. This network will further operate fully IT-enabled fulfilment centres from which BEL’s dealers, distributors, customers will enjoy market-leading delivery lead times. As part of the solution, MLL will be deploying a healthy mix of dedicated long-haul fleets and local distribution trucks, enabled by the latest tracking technology and control tower operations. There will also be a transition towards sustainable logistics using electric delivery trucks from EDel by Mahindra Logistics. For BEL, this project marks a significant transition towards leveraging logistics management as a competitive advantage. Speaking on the occasion, Anuj Poddar, Executive Director, said, “At Bajaj Electricals, we have been actively working towards various strategic initiatives to enhance value for our customers and other stakeholders. This collaboration with MLL is one such key initiative and I …

The UPS Foundation and UPS Healthcare are moving quickly to support an equitable delivery program and sustainable global supply chain of COVID-19 vaccines. UPS, in collaboration with COVAX, Gavi, the vaccine alliance and CARE will initially facilitate the delivery of 20 million doses for countries that have not had sufficient access to vaccines, including top priority groups like healthcare workers. “We believe that we have the ability and responsibility to facilitate and accelerate equitable COVID-19 vaccine delivery around the world,” said Scott Price, President UPS International. “UPS continues to build and inspire action across a network of global public-private partnerships that will ensure vaccines move more efficiently and equitably. Our work focuses on countries with limited resources and constrained supply chains and infrastructures. The goal is simple and our commitment is unwavering – moving our world forward by delivering what matters.” The latest global vaccination rate is approximately six million doses per day. According to several studies, at that rate it would take an estimated 5.4 years to cover 75 per cent of the global population with a two-dose vaccine. The role of public-private partnerships is a vital component in building global solutions for global challenges, such as the pandemic, and the needed access to vaccines to fight it. Building Partnerships Global success hinges upon bringing together and mobilizing the right partnerships. Helping to establish and fuel these efforts, UPS Healthcare and The UPS Foundation will: • Provide transportation solutions that leverage UPS cold-chain technology • Dedicate ultra-low temperature freezer donations necessary to maintain vaccine dose viability at the correct temperature in varying environments • Commit UPS loaned executives to provide logistics expertise and coordination with vaccine manufacturers and NGO …

Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Volga-Dnepr) and Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to set up an Emergency Logistics/Humanitarian Hub. The decision comes as a logical step for further development of long-lasting strategic cooperation between LEJ and Volga-Dnepr Group. Both parties agree to strengthen their unique services in the humanitarian sector, shouldered by an expert combination of the ‘carrier-airport’ capabilities. While the Group is ready to ramp up Emergency Logistics Hub with its operational base in LEJ, over 30 years of experience and expertise in humanitarian logistics, a diversified fleet of freighters including ramp ones which are self-sufficient for flight operations to remote or less equipped airports, LEJ is ready to offer its beneficial market-driven commercial conditions for export warehousing, long-term storage conditions for emergency cargo and terminal handling package to support the industry. Volga-Dnepr and LEJ will follow the road-map to jointly promote the airport as the Emergency Logistics Hub through the task-oriented marketing campaign, specialized educational workshops, streamlined cooperation with international non-governmental organisations, international intergovernmental organisations of Germany, major equipment manufacturers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders of the sector to foster humanitarian cargo operations at Leipzig/Halle.

Locus has announced a new integration with Lytx® to ensure sustainable transportation operations with the next generation of fleet management technology. While Lytx provides GPS location information on vehicles, Locus uses the information to prepare the most optimised route. Additionally, Locus can utilise the planned route and location information to compare planned versus actual performance as well as power analytics and insights. The combined product offering of Locus and Lytx will enable fleet managers to optimise the total cost of ownership (TCO) driven by fuel economy monitoring, driver analytics, visibility, compliance management, and predictive maintenance alerts. For fleets, this smart management platform will help with higher asset utilisation, optimised route planning, better driver communication, and seamless interactions with shippers and warehouses, translating into cost and time savings for the fleet managers. “This partnership offers the perfect blend of analytics and routing capabilities to our customers,” said Krishna Khandelwal, Chief Business Officer, Locus, in adding, “The optimised routing reduces both capital and operational costs for local distribution while increasing service levels and revenue-generating activities.” “Many fleet managers today leverage multiple technologies and are looking for ways to consolidate so they can save time and focus on things that matter more,” says Frank Schneider, Director of Integrations & Partnerships at Lytx. “This integration will allow customers of Locus and Lytx to have a seamless view of all the data they need from both systems, so they can make informed decisions in an instant. Fleet managers can keep track of their vehicles through GPS, get insights into driving behaviors through our proprietary video and machine vision and artificial intelligence (MV+AI) offering, dispatch technicians, and route vehicles.”