IATA is continuing to develop plans for its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry to support air cargo companies and other aviation stakeholders in their decarbonisation efforts. IATA has established the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO) to manage its SAF Registry when it is released. CADO is incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation in Canada with its headquarters in Montreal. IATA is the founding member of CADO and its role in CADO will include ongoing technical support and operations. CADO membership is open to organisations that operate in or contribute directly to the SAF value chain, or that represent any association or group of participants in the SAF value chain; states or quasi-state organisations with a direct interest in the operations and benefit of the SAF Registry; and related interest groups indirectly benefitting from SAF deployed in the aviation system.

“We are trying to take the PM Gati Shakti initiative not only to the state levels for their logistics planning but also to the districts for their district level planning. We are also trying to build new technologies such as AI, ML and digital twins into PM Gati Shakti approach,” said Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary Logistics at the recently concluded FICCI Gati Shakti Logistics Summit focused on Accelerating India’s Logistics Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. He added, “So as far as the national logistics policy is concerned, we are engaged into having a data based, evidence based, primary survey based logistic cost in India. We always talk about high logistics cost — 13%, 14%, and we want to reduce it to 9%. But I assure you all that there is no survey conducted to authenticate or verify it. Our focus is getting that survey done and we are working on it.”  

The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) inaugurated newly constructed Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) at New Gothangam on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). Praveen Kumar, MD, DFCCIL inaugurated the GCT at New Gothangam, which is the fourth terminal to be operationalised under DFCCIL, following the successful commissioning of GCTs at New Rewari, New Bhaupur, and New Daud Khan. “These terminals significantly boost the freight handling capacity of the DFC network. DFCCIL played a leading role in this initiative, developing four out of the total seven GCTs commissioned under Schedule 2 (railway land) over Indian Railways (IR),” an official said. The development of GCTs is a pivotal initiative under the Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal Policy introduced by IR to revolutionise freight logistics infrastructure in India.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai signed MoU to enhance the efficiency and transparency of public sector logistics, supply chain and inventory management. The agreement was signed in the presence of CAG K Sanjay Murthy and Director of IIM Mumbai Manoj Tiwari, the release stated. “This MoU represents an initiative spearheaded by CAG of India, to actively engage with institutes of national importance, such as IIM Mumbai, excelling in various areas, to enhance the capacity building of Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IAAD) officials said. By collaborating with such prestigious institutions, the CAG aims to strengthen the auditing capabilities and improve resource management across government departments and public sector enterprises, the release said. The MoU  focuses on leveraging IIM Mumbai’s academic expertise to support the CAG in refining audit methodologies for logistics, supply chains, and inventory management.

According to the latest data from TAC Index, global air freight rates have increased despite mixed outlook for trade and markets. The global Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) calculated by TAC was up another +2.3 per cent YoY over the week to March 24, leaving it ahead by +3.5 per cent YoY over the past 12 months, states report. Rates out of China were higher again last week on lanes both to Europe and to North America, leaving them still close to levels of 12 months ago. The index of outbound routes from Hong Kong (BAI30) was narrowly lower by -0.1% WoW, but still ahead by +3.1% YoY, with sources suggesting that spot rates had continued to rise. Outbound Shanghai (BAI80) was up a further +6.2% WoW – leaving it up by similar +3.4% YoY.  Elsewhere from Asia trends in rates continued to be more mixed – with falls on lanes to Europe from Vietnam, Bangkok and Seoul, and falls this time too on lanes from India both to Europe and the US. By contrast, rates from Vietnam to the US continued to increase. From Europe, rates were generally falling last week, including on lanes to China and Japan as well as to the US. However, the index of outbound routes from Frankfurt (BAI20) bounced back from recent falls with a gain of +9.5% WoW, boosted by gains on most major lanes, pushing that index back into positive territory at +10.3% YoY. By contrast, outbound London Heathrow (BAI40) fell back again after a surge the previous week, a drop of -15.6% WoW pulling it down to -8.7% YoY. Out of the Americas, the index of outbound routes from Chicago (BAI50) gained +5.8% WoW, led by higher rates on lanes to South East Asia to leave it at +12.7% YoY. Overall rates of the US were generally higher on lanes …

Hyundai Motor has partnered with Sendy, a Korean cargo logistics platform operator, to build an AI-driven logistics service based on Hyundai’s ST1 commercial EV.  As per the MoU, the two companies will integrate the ST1 with Sendy’s AI-based logistics optimisation system to establish a smart and eco-friendly freight platform. Hyundai’s vehicles will be equipped with Sendy’s vehicle application designed to recommend optimal delivery routes and minimise empty return trips.  The automaker plans to provide essential vehicle data and technical support to ensure the smooth operation of the AI system.  The service is expected to launch in the second quarter in the greater Seoul area and gradually expand to major cities nationwide. Hyundai aims to operate 100 units by the end of the year. “This collaboration with Sendy is not just about launching a logistics service, but about creating a new paradigm of AI-powered smart transport,” a Hyundai official said.

“MSMEs form the backbone of India’s economy, and a strong logistics network is vital to their success. We empower MSMEs with efficient, sustainable, and technology-driven logistics solutions, ensuring seamless market access,” said, Kaushal Shetty, Head of Marketing & Transformation, Allcargo Gati. He added, “Through providing the same tools available to larger businesses, and capacity-building, we enable them to scale operations, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat.”

Caribbean Airlines Cargo has opened a new cold storage facility at its home hub at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad to cater for seafood shipments, and enhance global operations. The new facility opened on 20 March and offers 5,000 sq ft of storage to handle temperature-sensitive export cargo. “It is the first of its kind within the Piarco aerodrome and English-speaking Caribbean,” the airline said. “This new unit adds immense value to many of the airline’s perishable-goods cargo customers, many of whom are local fish exporters.” The facility was equipped with a roller system and was built to accommodate the easy loading and storage of up to 40 aircraft pallets. It also features “optimal, refrigerated temperature control” to a minimum of 2 degrees Celsius. “At Caribbean Airlines Cargo, we reaffirm our dedication to continuous innovation and service excellence, and this facility was constructed to preserve the integrity of our customers’ shipments and provide them with enhanced reliability in their logistics chain,” said general manager, Marklan Moseley.

MatchLog Solutions has joined forces with BLR Logistiks to redefine how container movement is managed across India by leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, minimize delays, and streamline operations in the transport sector. With BLR Logistiks’ extensive transportation network and MatchLog’s advanced technology, this collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks for efficiency in the transport sector. The partnership will enable better container utilization, minimizing idle time and reducing overall operational costs. These solutions also create better visibility across the supply chain, ensuring a more synchronized and data-driven approach to logistics planning.

FedEx has announced the order of eight Boeing 777 freighters and 10 ATR 72-600 turboprops as third-quarter profits and revenues both improved. In an investor release, the company said that in March 2025 it had exercised options to purchase an additional eight 777F aircraft as part of its fleet modernisation programme. Three of the aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2026 and the remaining five in 2027. It also agreed to purchase a further two of the model earlier in the quarter. Meanwhile, the company said it would also extend the retirement of the entire Boeing MD-11 fleet from 2028 to the end of 2032. It had been gradually phasing out the aircraft to replace them with more fuel-efficient models, such as the 777F. In total, FedEx currently operates 57 777 freighters and has a further 11 on order, including the 10 mentioned above. Its MD-11F stands at 37 aircraft.