To me, logistics is mostly considered as a male dominated industry. As on 2018 in India, approx. 15 per cent of workforce consisted of women. However, thanks to concerted efforts being put in across the sector, more women are taking up leadership roles at senior and mid-management level. Women are also handling operational and technical roles like material handling equipment operators, shift supervisors, truck drivers etc. If women continue receiving equal opportunities and facilities, they are sure to achieve pinnacles of success in all areas, including the logistics field.

Maersk has started end-to-end cold chain logistics solution for exporters shipping grapes from Nashik and Sangli to North Europe. With this service, Maersk offers end-to-end cold chain logistics solution for grapes’ exporters from Nashik and Sangli thus improving the overall turnaround time into North Europe by four days. Steve Felder, Managing Director – South Asia, Maersk, said “Nashik is a priority market for the exports of grapes from India. With our end-to-end cold chain solutions, we aim to enable the exporters to take their grapes from Nashik to North Europe with a fast turn-around time, and with more simplicity.”

Ahmedabad Custom Brokers Association (ACBA) tied up with Logistics Skill Council to impart one day program on ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ at Ahmedabad. Around 220 candidates from logistics industry had attended this training program and 194 candidates has successfully appeared for examination after completion of session. Samir J. Shah, Ex-Chairman, FFFAI & Chairman, ACBA has explained about the recognition of prior learning and benefits of the same. He also explained the upcoming changes in Indian customs, shipping and logistics. The program not only helped candidates to sharpen their knowledge but get the deep idea of the changing pattern and scenario of logistics Industry in coming time. “ACBA will organise same type of training session in upcoming days for the betterment of logistics industry informs,” Kartik Pancholi, President, ACBA.

In its pursuit for innovation and pioneering efforts in the technological application tools, Skyways Group launched a web-based business venture sKart. S.L Sharma, Chairman, Skyways Group stressed on the importance to move proactively on the digital journey which has changed the logistics landscape. Skart is 100 per cent cloud-based logistics industry software which will enable every small, SME and even big-ticket company to procure best in industry services for courier and express shipments to expand their businesses at a place of their convenience. The software has ERP which enables its customers to generate labels, provide real-time information, manages records etc. It manages all databank of KYC, labels, MIS etc online which allows its customers to access them at any time.

While presenting the annual budget, Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, Punjab announced for the setting up of an air cargo unit at the Chandigarh International Airport. Badal said, “The air cargo facility will give a fillip to the industry and provide exporters better access to international and domestic markets.” Mohali Industry Association (MIA), states, “Exporters need to send consignments by road to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The freight is lined up for 24 to 48 hours before being loaded in aircraft. A cargo facility closer home will save time, effort and money. Besides, it will promote ease-of-doing-business.”

Aiming to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for fleet owners, provide better control over operations and increased protection against fraud, Shell has launched Shell Fuels, Shell Fleet Prepaid program and Shell Telematics. Parminder Kohli, GM – Business Development, Marketing and Operations for Fleet Solutions, Shell, said, “Our mission is to be our customers’ first choice for sustainable mobility solutions. We would like to achieve this through understanding their fleet management problems and then providing customised solutions addressing their pain points.”

A 24×7 customs clearance facility will be available at all seaports and airports till May 2020, to facilitate faster clearance of consignments to and from China once coronavirus diminishes. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has written to all Chief Commissioners (Customs and Central Tax) asking them to immediately workout the arrangement and deployment of sufficient number of officers on 24×7 basis at sea ports, air cargo stations, Inland Container Depot (ICDs) and Container Freight Station (CFSs), etc falling in their jurisdiction to tackle any incipient instance of congestion/surge.

SpiceJet has launched a dedicated cargo flights from Vizag to Surat, Kolkata and Chennai. The cargo flights will be a boon to exporters, particularly those into seafood, as it can save on time considering that the products are mostly perishable. The freighter SG7051 will operate thrice a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the second freighter SG7051 for Kolkata will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) has launched the fully automated export cold zone for agricultural and pharma products. The facility can hold over 700 tonnes at one time with a combined annual throughput of 5,25,000 tonne. The Export Cold Zone is equipped with truck docks with dock-levellers, spacious acceptance & examination area, automated workstations, X-Ray machines, ULD storage, Ballmat system for ULD transfer and cold rooms. Spread over an operational area of 6,000 square metres, the facility is equipped with 10 ULD build-up workstations and as many as 172 ULD storage positions.

Regarding the impact on the shipping sector, K. Ravichandran, Senior VP and Group Head, ICRA Ratings, mentions, “While, the tanker segment witnessed moderation from the highs witnessed in Q4 CY2019, the Baltic Dry Index and Baltic Capesize Index witnessed a steep decline with the Capesize Index turning negative for the first time on account of the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the industrial activity in China. The impact was also a result of the vessels getting stranded at Chinese ports, which were being diverted to other locations or were waiting in the sea, unable to deliver cargo to China. Overall, the impact of Covid-19 is a negative for the shipping sector and any recovery will be dependent on the demand recovery in the Chinese industrial segment, following the abatement of Covid-19.”