IAG Cargo has reported commercial revenues of €302 million  over the period from July 1 to September 30, 2020, an increase of  14.1  per cent on the same period in 2019 at constant currency. The carrier has announced its Q3 2020 results. Overall yields for the quarter  were up 113.4 per cent on the same time last year at constant currency, reflecting the extra costs of a flying programme that continues to retain a substantial cargo-only schedule. Lynne Embleton, CEO at IAG Cargo, commented, “The stark impact of COVID-19 on aviation continued throughout Q3. The overall market was weaker than pre-pandemic levels, but the continued squeeze on available air cargo capacity across the global market was the key dynamic in the quarter as carriers continued to ground aircraft. “The IAG Cargo team have been absolutely focused on creating solutions for customers so they can continue to move goods around the world. Q3 saw a significant ramp up in our network, with routes and frequencies added across the Atlantic, to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. By the end of Q3, we were operating more than 3,000 cargo flights per week and we will further develop our network into Q4. “This scheduled capacity continues to be supplemented by bespoke charter operations. Whilst the demand for dedicated charters peaked in Q2 – coinciding with the urgent movement of PPE – customers have continued to make use of our charter offering over the last three months.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has launched its dedicated platform for the e-issuance of Certificate of Origin (CoO-Non-Preferential). The platform is designed to facilitate the e-issuance of CoO at the comfort of office or home from the portal (www.phdccics.in). The platform is designed and serviced by Hans Infomatic. The Chamber has been authorised by the Government of India to issue COO-Non-Preferential to Indian exporters, in accordance with Article II of the International Convention relating to simplification of customs formalities, 1923. In addition to issuing the COO-Non-Preferential, the Chamber also attests/certifies commercial documents for export-oriented companies and issues visa recommendation letter to member companies. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHDCCI* while launching the digital platform informed that PHDCCI is one of the oldest and leading agency authorised by the Government of India to issue Non-Preferential COO. The platform will seamlessly issue COOs to export houses at the comfort of their office or home while reducing the transaction cost of exports to the companies. Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic (Developer of the e-COO portal), says that the platform will provide an integrated, electronic process for faster issuance of non-preferential Certificate of Origin(e-COO) and will also assist the Indian industry in the current situation keeping in view the requirement of the exporters. Pradeep Multani, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI mentioned about the vital need of industry for digital platform to facilitate ease of doing business for AtmaNirbhar Bharat. Saket Dalmia, Vice President, PHDCCI* highlighted that the portal will assist the Indian exporters in issuance in getting the e-COO issued beyond geographical boundaries. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHDCCI* while delivering the formal vote of thanks mentioned that PHDCCI remains committed in offering the best …

Gxpress has planned its expansion in India and abroad; the company plans to add fuel to its growth in terms of technology, workforce and number of offices worldwide. To expand its wings, it plans to start an ecommerce express and open operational branches in 25+ cities in India by 2025 supporting all the business lines. It plans to expand its workforce to 200+ employees and onboard clientele to about 4000+ sellers in India. Taking further to its US expansion, it plans to open warehouses in all major cities across the US including NJ, Chicago, LA, Houston. It also plans to add nomination shipments and onboard 75+ nomination clients and increase operational capacity to 3M small parcel last mile delivery across the US. “The logistics Industry has been on the frontline since the beginning of the unprecedented crisis due to Covid-19 and lockdowns, ensuring that the supply chains remain intact. Due to the shortage of labour and the restrictions being imposed on the movement of goods and businesses, the supply has been disrupted in the past 6 months. Now, as the businesses started opening up, we have planned our expansion in terms of recruitments, enhancement of technology and start operational offices all across the country and in major cities of US. We will focus on delivering unmatched and exclusive services in the growth of their customers by devising new strategies in the coming days” said Praveen Vashistha, Founder & Director of Gxpress.

In a bid to ensure corruption free industry, CONCOR has partnered with APM Terminals Pipavav for a webinar focused on anti-corruption in logistics industry. Jakob Friis Sorensen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav said, “This is truly one of a kind initiative where government company has partnered with Public limited company for issues surrounding anti-corruption and other compliances. At APM Terminals Pipavav, an effective compliance programme is a precursor to sustainability as we believe that anti-corruption measures are required to establish global standards and procedures to reduce illegal, unethical and improper conduct to keep industry clean. Compliance is an integral part of our business operation in sync with our parent Maersk Group where compliance is embedded part of culture.” “We are grateful to CONCOR for inviting us for this webinar and allowing us to share our insights and practices,” he adds. Entire management of CONCOR and staff members attended the webinar. The vision of A.P Moller Maersk on anti-corruption and compliance practices was well fathomed by the CONCOR group. A.P Moller Maersk believes in the need for 100% compliance in order to maintain the standard of a global company.

Blue Dart Express Limited has posted ₹414 million profit after tax (previous year ₹140 Million) for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The company declared its financial results for the quarter July – September 2020; revenue from operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 stood at ₹8,644 million. Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said, “Macroeconomic indicators and the opening up of the economy, signals a greener future for the nation. We see our customers’ businesses coming back on track with an exciting festive season around the corner for which we are fully prepared. We are cautiously optimistic for what the future holds for the economy as a second wave of pandemic is expected to hit the country in the winter season. We have also consolidated our position over this quarter for our key products. As pharmaceutical organisations and the Government of India work in tandem to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine, Blue Dart is gearing up to provide logistics support when a prospective vaccine candidate does arrive. Our network continues to be the reason we remain the government’s as well as every citizen’s trusted express logistics provider.” “The company has navigated through the crisis well; performance during the quarter has been supported by better revenue realization and cost efficiencies initiatives,” he adds.

IndoSpace has been awarded Platinum certification by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its logistics parks at Luhari I and II near NCR. IGBC rating systems recognizes achievement in green design, construction & operations and Platinum rating benchmarks applicants with international standards. IndoSpace Logistics Park Luhari I is the first logistics park in India to receive Platinum certification under the IGBC logistics parks and warehousing rating system. Founded in 2001 by CII, IGBC is the first Green building certification body in India. It is part of the World Green Building Council since 2004 as a ‘Founding Member’. The World Green Building Council is a global network of over 70 Countries. Rajesh Jaggi, Vice Chairman – Real Estate, Everstone Group, says, “We are delighted to receive these coveted certifications from IGBC which testify our conscious and responsible efforts towards creating sustainable facilities at our parks. As an industry leader, we have pioneered ‘green design’ and are committed towards protecting the ecosystem we operate in by employing better building design and highly efficient resource use.”

The Bolloré Logistics team in India handled and transported oil well equipment including the wellhead and the x-mass tree running tools on behalf of the oil & gas exploration and production company Hindustan Oil Exploration (HOEC). The project involved ensuring the door-to-door delivery from HOEC’s yard in Mumbai Via port of Nhava Sheva to the port of Singapore. The development of the solution included a shipment survey, proposing and implementation of a waterproof packaging solution, safe transport to the container stuffing station, re-export customs formalities, sea freight and final delivery to contractor’s yard in Singapore. The team was confronted with challenges on coordination and safe execution of operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic and also overcome the weather conditions with Cyclone “Nisarga” and heavy rains associated with the monsoon period for successful execution of the shipment. HOEC thus expressed satisfaction for the realization of this end-to-end project while underlining our professionalism in terms of QHSE.

In an executive summary of mid-year outlook for Indian aviation in FY2021 released by CAPA India, “Cargo volumes are expected to reach pre-COVID levels much earlier than passenger traffic. In September 2020, international cargo was down just 13.6 per cent year-on-year (compared with -87.8 per cent for passengers), while domestic volumes were down 20.0 per cent (compared with -65.1 per cent for passenger traffic). Recent economic indicators also suggest that exports are showing a significant recovery. As passenger services resume and belly capacity increases, it is expected that the demand for cargo charters will soften, as has been observed in recent weeks. Airline networks will remain extremely dynamic during COVID with carriers likely to operate to an evolving set of destinations, including those which it may not have served prior to the pandemic. There may be some permanent shifts in networks even once the market stabilises. CAPA India has regularly urged the Indian aviation industry to push for structural change. Policy and regulations must be based on global best practices, costs must be rationalised, and corporate governance must be transformed to ensure that operators demonstrate the highest level of accountability to shareholders, banks and their staff.

Gateway Distriparks Limited (GDL) announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended September 30, 2020. Commenting on the performance, Prem Kishan Dass Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, commented “First I would like to thank our shareholders for supporting the rights issue. Through our internal accruals and money raised through rights issue, we have completed prepayment of A1 series NCDs totalling to Rs. 250 crores since January 2020. This significant deleveraging of our balance sheet will allow us to focus on future growth opportunities through capex towards satellite rail terminals. The business restructuring will enhance our future cash flows significantly and provide us flexibility for ramping up our business operations. The new structure will enable us to grow our Rail intermodal logistics business faster and capitalise on new growth opportunities.This restructuring enables the company to realise its full potential, whilst rationalising the cost base which will create value for all our shareholders. Restructuring will also enable us to remain focused on operational and technological advances to maintain and extend our leadership positions. Industry dynamics dictates that rail transport will continue to gain transportation share at the cost of the road mode. Government also recognises that modal shift from road to rail freight has significant potential to help improve efficiency for transportation of goods as well as reduce carbon emissions.Ministry of Railways recently announced that it is proactively taking efforts and working aggressively to attract wider share of freight with an aim to increase its modal share of freight to up to 40%. This shall benefit us due to our multimodal capabilities to cater our customers who are increasingly demanding integrated logistics solutions. The performance for the quarter …

Mahindra Electric announced the launch of its new electric 3-wheeler cargo model Treo Zor at a starting price of Rs 2.73 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Built on the Treo platform, the new offering comes in three variants – pick up, delivery van and flat bed – and will be available at Mahindra small commercial vehicle dealerships in select cities across the country from December. “Our Treo platform demonstrates our commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat through the latest technology and make in India. The Treo Zor will provide a clean, sustainable and affordable solution for last-mile delivery,” Pawan Goenka, MD and CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra said at the launch. “The proven Treo electric 3-wheeler platform has already redefined last-mile mobility with 5,000+ satisfied customers who have traversed 35 million kms on Indian roads. Treo Zor has been developed with cutting edge technology to deliver substantial customer value proposition and is available in 3 variants to meet every customer needs,” said Mahesh Babu, MD & CEO, Mahindra Electric. Treo Zor comes with an 8kW advanced lithium-ion battery and a best-in-segment payload of 550 kgs. It gives higher earning opportunities. Also, the new vehicle comes with a standard warranty of 3 years/80,000 km, the company said, adding the vehicle can be charged by plugging into a 15AMP socket. The wide service network of over 140 dealerships across India ensures timely after-sales service as well, it added. The other features include telematics unit and GPS, windscreen and wiping system, spare wheel provision, among others, the company said.