Horizon Industrial Parks, a portfolio of Grade A logistics parks in India owned by Blackstone Real Estate funds, has announced opening of its second logistics park in Pune, Chakan V. “The 100-acre park is located in Chakan, one of the key industrial hubs of the country with well-developed social and economic infrastructure. Chakan’s proximity to Mumbai and Pune via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and JNPT Seaport makes it an ideal base for industrial and logistics operations,” reads the release. Horizon Industrial Parks recently completed the development of the 52-acre Chakan II park. The park is home to several high-profile companies from diverse sectors including auto components, engineering, and third-party logistics service providers. Urvish Rambhia, principal at Blackstone, said, “We are thrilled to break ground on Chakan V, which will be built as the state-of-the-art facility, as part of our commitment to providing high-quality logistics assets in strategic locations. We continue to see strong demand for modern warehouses in India, driven by increasing e-commerce adoption and strong industrial growth.”

“Continued investments in infra development, including modern warehouses, cold storage facilities, and transportation networks, will be crucial,” shares Arif A Siddiqui, Founder & Director, Coign Consulting, Vice President, Warehousing Association of India (WAI). “This will involve both public and private sector participation to enhance efficiency and connectivity across the country. The integration of advanced technologies like IoT, AI, automation, and data analytics will optimize warehouse operations, improve inventory management, and enhance overall supply chain visibility and efficiency,” He adds With the increasing demand for faster and more reliable delivery services, there will be a focus on developing last-mile delivery solutions, including alternative delivery methods like drones and autonomous vehicles, especially in urban areas. Environmental concerns and sustainability will become more prominent in the warehousing and logistics sector. Adoption of eco-friendly practices such as green buildings, electric vehicles, and efficient energy management will be encouraged. Continued efforts in regulatory reforms, including simplification of tax structures, state logistics policies, faster clearance, and approval procedures, and streamlining of transportation regulations, will further boost the growth of the sector and attract more investment. Strengthening ties with global markets and integrating into global supply chains will open up new opportunities for Indian warehousing and logistics companies, driving further growth and competitiveness. Overall, the Indian warehousing and logistics sector is poised for continued growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as increasing consumer demand, technological advancements, infrastructure development, and favourable government policies. However, addressing challenges such as infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, and skill shortages will be crucial to realizing the full potential of the sector.

Focusing on the issues pertaining to DGR training for Pharma and dangerous good transportation, the Managing Committee of The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) held a meet in Chennai on 3 and 4 May. “Institutions across India have not been getting the necessary approvals from the authorities to conduct DGR training which is causing lot of issues in the export of pharmaceutical items and dangerous goods. The logistics service providers need to be aware of the policies and guidelines to carry out dangerous goods transportation lack of which might lead to serious accidents,” shares CK Govil, President, ACAAI. Possible venues for the upcoming ACAAI convention were also discussed. The team at Southern Region needs to be complemented and thanked for organising the same successfully.

The Federation of Freight Forwarders Association of India (FFFAI), in collaboration with 21CC, has launched an innovative e-learning platform that is set to redefine the learning landscape and promote skilling in logistics. This groundbreaking platform is designed to empower an individual to learn at his own pace, in his own space. “We owe this monumental achievement to the relentless efforts and unwavering support of our esteemed team. A massive shout-out to Sanjay Tiwari , Past Chairman Shankar Shinde , Chairman Dushyant Mulani , Hon. Secretary sudip dey , Sudhir Agarwal, OB in charge of IIFF, Hon Secretary IIFF Nirav Thakker (Ph.D) and the secretariat for their instrumental role in launching this platform. This E-learning platform is more than just a tool; it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and change, Today we learn for a better Tomorrow,” said their official LinkedIn Post.

DP World has commenced warehousing operations in Loutulim, Goa. Located 31 km from the Mormugaon Port, 23 km from the Dabolim airport and 25 km from Panjim city, the Grade A warehouse is compliant with all safety standards and provides seamless connectivity to the Goa-Bangalore-Pune highway. The facility is fully compliant for the storage and handling of chemicals and healthcare cargo. With three operating docks and 2620 pallet positions, the 27,512 sq. ft. facility is fully equipped to handle and store chemical products. The new facility provides comprehensive safety features throughout the premises, including a dedicated pump room, advanced fire sprinklers, Rockwool insulation on the roof and bubble wrap insulation on the sidewalls. To ensure air quality and promote the well-being of employees, the facility has six air changes per hour and a dedicated Resident Safety Officer on campus to implement and monitor adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Speaking about the new warehouse in Goa, Anoop Chauhan, Head – Contract Logistics & Cold Chain Solutions DP World Subcontinent said, “At DP World, we are committed to building an integrated multi-modal supply chain network that will unlock trade opportunities for customers. The addition of our Grade A warehouse in Goa will strengthen our expanding warehousing network and deliver customers in the region with a seamless supply chain experience. This facility enabled with advance warehouse management systems will serve as a pivotal hub, providing customers with links to multiple markets within the country, thereby driving trade growth at local and national level.” This facility adds to DP World’s warehousing network of over five million sq. ft. in India, strategically spread across more than 60 locations. The Grade A warehouse in …

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) reported a 12% year-on-year growth in cargo volumes in April 2024. The Adani group company in an exchange filing said it handled 36.2 MMT of total cargo in April 2024, which is a good 12% YoY growth. While most domestic ports reported growth in cargo volume in April, Dhamra Port posted the highest monthly cargo volume of 4.38 MMT, APSEZ said. Across categories, dry cargo volume rose by 7% year-over-year, liquid and gas by 29% and container volume by 14% over the year-ago period. The logistics segment also reported growth with rail volumes rising by 5% YoY to 49,430 TEUs and GPWIS volumes increasing by 26% to 1.8 MMT. APSEZ shares dropped more than 1% to hit a low of ₹1307.2 apiece on BSE in morning trade. The stock opened higher at ₹1335.25 per share but could not hold onto gains.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 10.3% compared to March 2023 levels (11.4% for international operations). This is the fourth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 7.3% compared to March 2023 (10.5% for international operations). “Air cargo demand grew by 10.3% over the previous March. This contributed to a strong first quarter performance which slightly exceeded even the exceptionally strong 2021 first quarter performance during the COVID crisis. With global cross-border trade and industrial production continuing to show a moderate upward trend, 2024 is shaping up to be a solid year for air cargo,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: Global cross-border trade and industrial production increased by 1.2% and 1.6% respectively in February. In March, the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 51.9, indicating expansion. The new export orders PMI also rose to 49.5, remaining slightly below the 50 threshold that would indicate growth expectations. Inflation saw a mixed picture in March. In the EU and Japan, inflation rates fell to 2.6% and 2.7% respectively, while rising in the US to 3.5%. In contrast, China experienced a slight deflation of -0.01%. This latest figure marks a return to deflation after February’s brief period of inflation.

Amazon India today announced the launch of ‘Sushruta’, a comprehensive health and wellness program for truck drivers. Amazon works with over 350 trucking partners who employ thousands of truck drivers. The initiative aims to prioritize the health needs of these truck drivers, who spend a significant part of their working day on the road. In addition, it will raise awareness about long-term health practices, which will be beneficial to truck drivers and their families. A series of health camps are being organized in Bengaluru, Manesar (Haryana), and other parts of the country for truck drivers, offering screenings for over 70 health parameters. Organized in collaboration with NGOs such as Premansh Foundation, Anchal Health Centre and DocOnline, the inaugural camp in Bengaluru in January 2024 and the recently concluded camp in Manesar was a significant success with encouraging participation from truck drivers. Arun Kumar Singh, Director, Amazon Transportation Services, India, emphasizes, “At Amazon, we recognize the challenges truck drivers face, including neglected health due to long hours on the road. ‘Sushruta’ program aims to address these challenges and support the good health of drivers. We sincerely hope this program makes a positive change in the lives of the truck drivers and their families” The Sushruta program offers a range of screenings, including blood tests, eye examinations, and dental checks, aiming to identify and diagnose any health concerns amongst the truck drivers. In addition, awareness campaigns and sessions are organized during the camp, which aim at promoting a healthy lifestyle among the truck drivers and their families. The drivers are provided with a referral card along with their health reports, granting access to teleconsultation services for themselves and up to three family …

ESR Urban Distribution Centre in Delhi is ready for fit-outs starting this June. The first phase, a 50,000 sq. ft. G+2 RCC building, will be ready for fit-outs in June, allowing businesses to save valuable time and launch operations quickly. Situated near the upcoming UER 2 and just 0.5 km from NH44, the project boasts seamless connectivity to key areas like Rohini, Mundka, Najafgarh, Dwarka, IGI Airport, and Gurugram. “This cutting-edge, multi-level facility is a game-changer for last-mile deliveries in the capital, and I’m incredibly proud of the entire team that brought this vision to life,” said company’s official LinkedIn Post. “This isn’t just a building; it’s a gateway to unlocking agility and efficiency in Delhi’s supply chain. Faster deliveries and happier customers – that’s the future we’re building together,” the post reads.