Silk Way West Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter as part of its plan to modernise its fleet and increase its capacity for global operations. The freighter is the first of an order for five production 777Fs made by the cargo airline in April 2021. The following four aircraft are due to be delivered gradually until 2027. The 777F arrived at Silk Way’s Baku-based hub airport, Heydar Aliyev International today (October 3). Until now, the airline has operated with Boeing 747F aircraft. At present, it operates five 747-8Fs and seven 747-400Fs. “Delivery of this aircraft marks a defining moment in our strategic plan to make Silk Way West Airlines greener, more fuel efficient, and better positioned for growth from conception to reality,” said Fadi Nahas, vice president of Silk Way West Airlines, Americas.

Finally, International Air Transport Association (IATA) has delivered some positive news for the global airfreight industry with new data that shows year-on-year air cargo demand grew for the first time in 19 months, but it said the trajectory of global trade is a concern. As part of its air cargo market analysis for August, the industry body noted that demand, measured in global cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs) increased by 1.5% year on year (YoY) in August, the first annual growth since February 2022. However, industry CTKs remained 1.3% lower than their pre-pandemic level in 2019. Meanwhile, air cargo capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was up 12.2% year on year and 3.9% higher than 2019 levels. “This was largely related to belly capacity which rose 30% year-on-year as airlines ramped-up operations to meet peak-northern summer travel season demand,” said IATA. Economic challenges, specifically the “sustained annual contraction of trade” remain a concern for the industry, pointed out IATA. The industry body added that inflation in the US continued to increase for the second month in a row, after 13 months of decline. And Although China’s CPI growth reverted to positive from the July level, the country recorded negative PPI in August for the 16th consecutive month.

Drone logistics startup TSAW Drones, has announced that it has received a Service Order from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This tie-up is poised to bring about major advancements in healthcare and medical supply deliveries through the use of drones, addressing critical healthcare challenges. ICMR’s ambitious project, spanning three locations – Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh – will encompass six months of regular deliveries to support healthcare facilities in Yaddari district (Telangana), Manipal district (Karnataka), and Lahul (Himachal Pradesh). These deliveries will connect several locations, including distribution centers and primary health centers (PHCs), facilitating the transportation of vital medical supplies, TB samples, tissue samples, diagnostic samples, and more. Dr. Sumit Aggarwal, Scientist D and Program Officer at ICMR, remarked, “This momentous collaboration exemplifies our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare delivery in India. By harnessing the cutting-edge capabilities of drone technology, we are not merely opening doors; we are tearing down barriers to healthcare access in the remotest regions of our country. This initiative stands as a testament to our resolve to leave no one behind and to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their geographic location, receives the medical attention they deserve.” However full details of studies may be obtained from ICMR-Hqrs. Kishan Tiwari, Founder and CEO of TSAW Drones, stated, “At TSAW Drones, we are privileged to join hands with ICMR in this groundbreaking initiative. Our mission has always been to leverage technology for societal betterment, and this collaboration perfectly aligns with that vision. In this undertaking overcoming difficult terrains and reaching unprecedented altitudes to serve underserved communities and also to achieve this height will definitely be a challenge but we are fully prepared …

The establishment of air transport shipment hubs at major Indian airports will have a significant impact on cargo movement in India, says Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport. ‘By streamlining the transshipment process, reducing transit times, and enhancing connectivity, these hubs will make it easier and faster for Indian exporters to reach global markets. This will boost India’s trade competitiveness and contribute to its economic growth. Cross border trade requires an extensive set of documentation, compliance with cross-border procedures, and a number of processes to take the shipment through. These increase the transaction time and cost for importers / exporters. There has been a significant improvement over the past decade in the Customs regulations and processes. Cargo Community Systems at the Air Cargo complexes provide a number of features to the trade community, which streamlines the processes and provides an ease of doing business. DIAL has implemented a series of technology solutions to help the trade with availability of information and an ease of documentation.

Mahindra Logistics unveiled its state-of-the-art warehouse in Bhiwandi, located near Mumbai. This facility spans an expansive 6.5 lakh square feet allows Mahindra Logistics Ltd. to provide flexible, scalable fulfilment and integrated distribution solutions. The new warehouse will be an important part of Mahindra Logistics Ltd. Pan-India network of multi-client facilities that manage the fulfilment and distribution of its diverse clients in automotive, e-commerce and FMCG industries. It offers easy access to prominent industrial and manufacturing clusters near Nashik and Vapi facilitating efficient logistics operations. With proximity to India’s largest port, this facility is poised to play a pivotal role in the supply chain enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods. The facility has been designed in accordance with Mahindra Logistics Ltd. sustainability standards, encompassing liquid discharge management, 100% on-site renewable energy, and waste management protocols. The facility provides a substantial 30% green cover contributing to environmental conservation and is IGBC platinum certified. The Grade-A warehouse has 84 docks, 13-meter clear height, and a load-bearing capacity of 8 MT/M2, making it versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications supporting MLL’s 3PL, Last-mile delivery and Express businesses. Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Logistics Limited, said, “To bolster our capacity and address the growing demand, we have been augmenting our network with the addition of Built-to-Suit (BTS) warehousing facilities across India. Our latest facility in Bhiwandi is located in one of India’s prominent industrial hubs, enables us to broaden our portfolio of integrated solutions for our valued clientele in the region. It embodies our dedication to delivering world-class, technology-driven solutions and aligns with our vision to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, exemplified by our pursuit of an …

Blue Dart Express announced its General Price Increase (GPI), effective from January 1st, 2024. The average shipment price increase will be 9.6% as compared to 2023, dependent on the shipping profile. Blue Dart is recognised for its market-leadership in future-ready solutions with exceptional service quality, these standards are also benchmarked by the express logistics providers in the industry. In order to consistently deliver resilient, dependable, and efficient solutions to its valued customers, Blue Dart reviews and adjusts its pricing annually. This adjustment considers a multitude of factors including the current macroeconomic factors, geopolitical tensions, tighter monetary and fiscal policies, inflationary pressures, and exchange rate fluctuations, all of which impact the cost structure, there is a need for a reasonable tariff adjustment. Additionally, the company demonstrates its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility by reducing CO2 emissions through targeted investments in green transportation technologies, smarter route planning, and clean fuels. Blue Dart has planned significant investments in its IT infrastructure to ensure data security and deliver a world-class user experience, including the introduction of chatbots, a new shipping portal, seamless marketplace plugins, and other initiatives. Elaborating on the announcement, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said, “The aftermath of the global disruptions in the last few years has given rise to evolving forms of globalization. As of 2023, we have faced the challenges of a volatile global market, yet we have consistently delivered dependable services to our customer base. Through our annual price adjustment, we are channelling investments into our infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, ensuring the resilience, sustainability, and top-tier customer solutions that define our commitment. This includes advancements in our aviation infrastructure and vehicle fleets, the expansion of our hubs and …

In its recently held 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) elected new Office Bearers of the Executive Committee for the term 2023-25. Dushyant Mulani, who was earlier Chairman Elect, FFFAI and currently President of Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association, has taken over as the Chairman of FFFAI. Amit Kamat (Honorary Secretary Goa Custom Brokers Association) has been elected as Chairman Elect for the term 2023-25. Following are the six Vice Chairmen who have been elected at this AGM: 1. Puneet Jain (President, Delhi Customs Brokers Association) 2. Rajesh Verma (President, Ludhiana Customs House Agents Association) 3. G Sambasiva Rao (Past President, Visakhapatnam Customs Brokers Association) 4. Anurag Vijayvargiya (President, Indore Customs House Agents Association) 5. Dinesh Gupta (President, Kandla Custom Brokers Association) 6. Sailesh Bhatia (Honorary Secretary, Aurangabad Customs House Agents Association) Sudip Dey (Past President, Calcutta Customs House Agents Association) has been elected unopposed as Honorary Secretary and Sudhir Agarwal (Past President, Nagpur Customs House Agents Association) has been elected unopposed as Honorary Treasurer. Shankar Shinde (Past President, Nashik Customs House Agents Association) is the Immediate Past Chairman of FFFAI for the term 2023-25.

Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian cargo handler to participate in and complete the highly esteemed BlueSky Sustainability program offered by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). Çelebi’s commitment to sustainable practices is a testament to its role as a responsible stakeholder in the aviation industry and has set a benchmark for the Indian cargo handling industry. Çelebi has diligently scored in all sustainability standards set by TIACA’s BlueSky program. This comprehensive program focuses on the environment, society, culture, and leadership, with an emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, supporting communities, improving quality of life, and enhancing efficiency. By diligently following this program, Çelebi is committed to achieving a broad spectrum of environmental and operational goals. Kamesh Peri, CEO, Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management, commented, “At Çelebi, we have always looked for innovative and environmentally sustainable ways to enhance our ground handling services. We’re thrilled that our efforts have been recognised and that we are now India’s first cargo handler to complete the BlueSky Sustainability programme of TIACA. This accomplishment demonstrates our dedication to environmental protection and sustainability. We are wholly committed to supporting the Indian aviation sector in achieving its carbon-neutral objectives.” Mr. Glyn Hughes, Director General of TIACA, also congratulated, stating, “We congratulate Çelebi Aviation for undergoing the TIACA BlueSky assessment program for their Delhi location. The results reflected some impressive scores in relation to workforce management and business efficiency which are key components of a sustainable strategy.” Completing the BlueSky Sustainability program reaffirms Çelebi’s status as a trailblazer in the cargo handling sector. As the industry continues to evolve, Çelebi remains steadfast in its mission to drive …

Buoyed by rising demand being experienced by the e-commerce and manufacturing sectors, Everstone Group-backed industrial real estate and logistics parks developer IndoSpace has invested close to $3 billion, through a mix of equity and debt, in assets under management across its investment vehicles in India. Over the next three years, the company will be constructing an additional 22 million sq ft across the country and will deploy approximately $1 billion on new acquisitions, said Rajesh Jaggi, vice chairman, Real Estate, Everstone Group.

UPS announced a deal to acquire time-critical logistics firm MNX Global Logistics as it looks to ramp up its healthcare capabilities. Long Beach-headquartered MNX provides services covering next flight out (NFO), air charter, on-demand courier, managed transportation, service parts logistics (SPL) and specialty freight. Its clients include multinational firms in the biopharmaceutical, life sciences, high-tech, medical device, aviation and financial industries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Executive vice president and president of UPS International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions Kate Gutmann said, “UPS already brings extensive capability and industry-leading on-time delivery to our customers, and that breadth and reliability is why they place their trust in us. “Together with MNX, we will further that reliability and speed globally, especially for our UPS Healthcare customers. We continue to invest in services that bring unique value to our customers and create additional growth opportunities for UPS.” MNX chief executive John Labrie added: “By joining UPS, we will be able to use the MNX team’s expertise in global, time-critical logistics within UPS’s extensive network, allowing us to provide our customers with the best possible service. MNX is confident that UPS is the best partner to help us accelerate our business into the future.”