Sunil Kohli, MD, Rahat Cargo said, “Transportation during monsoons pose a great challenge to the handlers as how to protect the cargo from the possible damage hence as far as possible closed body vehicles need to be used for carrying the goods. The transport service providers also have to take additional precautionary measures by covering the truck with layers of tarpaulin and plastic sheets. The handlers also should be aware not to undertake outdoor loading or unloading of goods in severe weather conditions to ensure safety. With the onset of monsoon season bringing rains throughout the country, it becomes not only desirable but essential that required precautions are taken by the cargo handlers so that the boxes containing the contents do not get wet or damaged. Since rainy season has not been a new phenomenon in our country hence the handlers concerned are fully aware and trained as how to ensure a safe and secured packing of the cargo to avert any damage from rains. They are also well trained to load or unload cargo using covered platforms in a way that minimizes exposure to rains and potential damages.”  

Rajen Bhatia, Chairman Western Region, ACAAI said, “Airports and ground handling agents must roll out monsoon-specific SOPs to all airside and landside cargo teams before the season starts. Protective packaging and pallet wrapping are crucial. Handlers are trained to ensure cargo is shrink-wrapped, covered with tarpaulin and placed on plastic or elevated pallets to prevent contact with water on the tarmac or warehouse floor. Teams are given refresher training on how to act quickly during sudden downpours or waterlogging scenarios. Cargo movements from terminal to aircraft (or vice versa) are minimised during heavy showers or conducted using covered dollies and rapid transit vehicles. Handlers are equipped with monsoon gear (raincoats, boots, gloves) to ensure uninterrupted safe handling.”

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics said, “Monsoons bring added challenges to cargo handling, but with proper precautions, risks can be minimised. CTOs and agents should focus on waterproof packaging, secure palletisation and use of covered storage or transport to prevent cargo damage. Regular checks of terminal drainage, real-time weather monitoring and staff awareness are equally important. Transparent communication with customers about potential delays or diversions builds trust. Proactive planning, especially for sensitive or high-value shipments, is essential to ensure cargo safety during this season.”

The logistics management platform, Shipway, has launched its AI chatbot Loca. Designed to serve as a virtual logistics assistant, Loca enables D2C brands to automate customer support at scale – managing delivery inquiries, tracking orders, and resolving issues without human intervention. With Loca, Shipway empowers sellers, especially emerging and smaller brands, by instantly answering logistics-related queries, freeing up teams to focus on growth and core business functions. Loca offers multilingual support, ensuring brands in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities can access services in their preferred language. “The role of technology is to simplify business processes. Loca’s ability to handle most customer queries without human intervention makes it ideally suited for scalable implementation and  translates into faster response times for users. We believe AI tools will transform backend operations, and Loca is an important step in that direction,” said Saurabh Kumar Choudhary, Chief Business Officer at Shipway.

GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo proudly announces the official rollout of CLIMB – Cargo Loyalty Incentives and Milestone Benefits, India’s first dedicated loyalty program for freight forwarders. Following a successful soft launch during the ACFI Conclave in Hyderabad on January 31, 2025, the program will go live on July 1, 2025, with Hyderabad (HYD) as the pilot location.  Developed exclusively for the freight forwarding community, CLIMB is a pioneering initiative across GMR-operated airports in India, designed to recognize and reward freight forwarders. The program offers a host of premium benefits, including: Priority cargo handling Dedicated single point of contact (SPOC) Demurrage waivers And more exclusive add-ons Loyalty Rewards   With CLIMB, GMR aims to strengthen long-term collaboration, incentivize performance, and enhance stakeholder value across the air cargo ecosystem. This innovative loyalty program reflects GMR’s commitment to driving operational excellence and nurturing a future-ready cargo infrastructure in India.  

The Warehousing Association of India (WAI) unveiled the second edition of e-handbook on ‘Standards of Warehousing in India,’ jointly with DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the ongoing 14th edition of India Warehousing Show in New Delhi. Manu Raj Bhalla, President, WAI, Arif Siddiqui, Vice President and Mohit Kapoor, Chairperson Projects and Events Committee at WAI  thanked the govt for extending their cooperation and assistance and association members for their support and efforts. He said, “This handbook is not just a publication, but a living document and a shared national commitment for developing a globally competent, sustainable and standard-driven warehousing ecosystem in India.”

The 14th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2025 kicked off in New Delhi on 26 June.  The theme ‘Smart, Scalable and Sustainable Supply Chains’ focused on empowering businesses with cutting-edge warehousing, logistics and automation solutions. Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary Logistics, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry was invited as the Chief Guest. Jivisha Joshi, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, was invited as Guest of Honour. Other impt dignitaries included Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and members of Warehousing Association of India (WAI) including President Manu Raj Bhalla and Vice President, Arif Siddiqui, WAI.  The show brought together the entire supply chain ecosystem to explore real business opportunities, emerging technologies and collaborative growth. The insightful panel discussions on day 1 focused on how India can be a reliable supply chain partner?, measuring competency of warehouses through rules and regulations, logistics optimisation and financing.

Swiss WorldCargo has completed the rollout of a new fleet of lightweight ULDs to help save fuel and emissions. The cargo division started to deploy the new ULDs around nine months ago and said the new units are 22 kg lighter for the AKE type and 20 kg lighter for the AKH type. The weight decrease translates into fuel savings of nearly 900 tons per year, and contributes to lowering CO2 emissions by approximately 2,770 tons per year, advancing the airfreight division’s goal to more sustainable cargo operations,” Swiss WorldCargo said in a press release. In addition, Swiss WorldCargo has recently replaced over 1,500 old PMC and PAJ pallets with brand-new versions. “We are very enthusiastic about our successful rollover to newer, lighter and more sustainable containers and pallets” said Miguel Seco, head of global business excellence at Swiss WorldCargo.

Haryana Chief Minister,  Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhirpur, Kurukshetra as part Viksit  Bharat to boost trade from Haryana. This initiative will boost prosperity for the state’s farmers, entrepreneurs and traders, while providing new employment opportunities for our youth, said Nayab Singh Saini.

Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President of marketing, air network, and customer experience, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, FedEx said, “India’s logistics story today is defined by scale, speed and strategic clarity. As supply chains diversify and trade corridors shift, India is responding with clear intent. From PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy to digital-first reforms, India is laying the groundwork for a logistics system that is faster, smarter, and more sustainable. Despite global headwinds, merchandise exports crossed US$437 billion in FY24, and the country’s rise to 38th in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index reflects the depth of change underway. The growing footprint of FedEx in India mirrors this momentum — a quiet signal of the confidence global businesses place in India’s logistics future.”