Since its inception, DP World, Cochin posted the highest ever vessel productivity at 150 moves per hour on the MV TCI Anand (Container Ship that was built in 2003) on March 23, 2022, surpassing 137 moves achieved in July 2019. “Clocking record transhipment volumes of over 1.50 lakh TEUS in 2021, DP World Cochin maintained its first position among South Indian terminals in April 2022 with a volume of 66,000 TEUs,” said a company release. Praveen Thomas Joseph, CEO, DP World Cochin, said, “2021 was a great year for DP World Cochin. Our focus on improving productivity and improving customer relations with active support from Cochin Port Trust has made Cochin a destination for international shipping liners. The WIS service, and the ISG Service connecting Cochin to the Middle East and the East Coast of India has helped achieve volume growth, especially in transhipment. We continue to dedicate our efforts to helping our customers navigate the increased complexities in the current global supply chain eco-system.”

SmartKargo, cloud-based air cargo solutions provider has joined Cargo iQ, a cross-stakeholder organization. SmartKargo offers a suite of scalable applications, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), a booking portal, and its end-to-end e-commerce shipping solution for global airlines. SmartKargo has joined Cargo iQ is to bring key quality enhancements to the air cargo industry. Milind Tavshikar, CEO, SmartKargo said, “Establishing t quality management standards requires transparency and collaboration among supply chain partners who bring a variety of perspectives to the conversation. We joined Cargo iQ to bring our unique experience to this important interest group and look forward to contributing as well as being inspired by our industry colleagues. Together, we can ensure that standards of quality management evolve steadily in this industry that is so important to the world.”

The Air Charter Association (ACA) announces Challenge Group as its new member to cater to the companies and individuals engaged in aircraft charter. Challenge Group is committed to co-constructing and sharing its values with new communities. The aim is to enhance each other and build the future of the air cargo industry. Or Zak, Vice President Commercial of Challenge Group said, “The association is one of the oldest and most respected air freight related associations globally. The Challenge Group is honoured to be accepted as a member by this association, and we are looking forward to work alongside other members and partners in shaping the future of the air freight industry in general and that of the Global Charter in particular.”

Delhi Cargo Service Center (DCSC) was conferred with the Best International Air Cargo Terminal Operator Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards, the country’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation presented the award. CSC is the leading provider of airport ground handling services in India with over two decades of industry experience. Our dedicated team of industry experts and skilled field personnel ensures reliable and efficient services round-the-clock.

Lodha, real estate developer, announced a tie-up with Bain Capital and Ivanhoe Cambridge to develop a next generation green digital infrastructure platform to invest US $1 billion to create USD 1 billion to create operating assets worth 30 million square feet to serve the digital economy of the country. The platform will establish a pan-India presence in the digital infrastructure, including logistics, light industrial parks, and in-city fulfilment centers. Lodha will lead the development, operations, and management of the assets. Abhishek Lodha, CEO and MD, said, “Following the government’s focus on improving logistics efficiency and creating jobs across the country, the platform will plan the development of industrial and logistics parks as well in-city fulfilment centers across multiple cities in India. And we will focus on building and operating this digital infrastructure to the highest levels of environmental sustainability with the view to creating a global benchmark.” Each of the three partners will have a 33 per cent equity interest in the property ownership.

With the focus on supporting growth of the Indian e-commerce ecosystem by expanding infrastructure and services, DHL Supply Chain has, after Bangalore, now expanded its India Fulfilment Network (IFN) to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. The company has so far invested over INR 25 crores in capacity building through IFN. “The latest development is designed to be a launch pad curated for easing the B2C fulfilment process. It is a 360-degree supply chain solution for enterprises across sectors, allowing them to manage their fulfilment operations seamlessly in a fully online marketplace scenario. In addition to this, IFN also offers carrier agnostic transportation network linkages to brands and companies desiring to sell online, providing them with last mile delivery services to further bolster their independent dot.com models,” said an official release. Vikas Anand, Managing Director said, “Using IFN not only reduces delivery times, but also helps avoid long distance shipments across the country thus reducing CO2 emissions occurring from transport.”

Combined Logistics Solutions won the Best Logistics Service Provider Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards, the country’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation presented the award. Combined Logistics Solutions is an International Freight Forwarding, Customs Brokerage and Logistics Company offering end-to-end solutions in Freight Forwarding and Transportation Management. With over two decades of experience, Combined Logistics has emerged as a specialist with a keen understanding of the unique Indian operating conditions.

To enable a seamless payment experience, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), in partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank and Phi Commerce, has introduced omnichannel payment solution across the airport ecosystem. The omnichannel payment solution, designed for the airport in partnership with payment solutions company Phi Commerce and KMBL, will enable a safe and secure payment experience across the airport, as per an official statement. The solution will power B2B and B2C payments across channels – both online and offline. It will facilitate transactions across the domestic terminal, international terminal, airport city, concert arena, airport hotels, retail, recreation, dining, and entertainment (RDE) destination, airport parking, cargo, and BIAL subsidiaries.

Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) upgrades its Mumbai office infrastructure with the highly innovative and latest technologies, on May 3, 2022, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The highlights of the new facilities are the training centre and video conferencing rooms for its members for training and meetings. Its members, board of advisors, past chairmen, publishers, trade body representatives, and well-wishers attended. Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI, said, “2022 is special for us as we are celebrating Diamond Jubilee, and are happy to create the modern infrastructure for our members to enhance knowledge through training and skill development.”

The inaugural day of the ShipBuild India Expo Summit 2022 and Maritime Transport & Shipping India Expo 2022 in Mumbai witnessed 100 exhibitors from across the country. Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways shared his welcome message via a recorded video. Shantanu Bhadkamkar, MD, ATC Global Logistics, Immediate Past President – Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) Chairman of Technical Advisory Board, said, “This event was conceived two years ago and we had thought it would take place in some months. As pandemic hit us, we were not sure if we would be able to hold it at all for a long time. Congratulations to the team at Ocean Trade Media for a successful show. There is a need to encourage the maritime sector in India.” Ali Patankar, Director, Ocean Trade Media said, “We thank all 125 companies taking part. We started this venture over a year ago on the lines of Atmanirbhar Bharat. In the years to come, we will cover more maritime segments such as marine tourism, ocean energy, safety security and surveillance and others.” Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, IRClass; Ashish Pednekar, Chairman, Federation of Customs Brokers’ Association of India; Cmde Hemant Khatri, CMD of Hindustan Shipyard were also present.