Vandana Singh, Director, Global Key Account Management (Asia Pacific) Saudia Cargo was honoured as ‘Cargo Woman of the Year’ at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards 2024 in Mumbai. The award was presented by the Chief Guest, Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and P K Raut, Deputy Director General- Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, who was the Guest of Honour at the event. She said, “I have been following publications of DDP Group publications actively and I’m very proud to be associated with them. Congratulations to the DDP Group for organizing the fantabulous event. I do see the air cargo industry growing by leaps and bounds. We have promised to grow to 10 .3 million cargo tons within the next five years, but I see that happening in the next three years.”

Exciting news for the air cargo industry experts. Registrations are now open for the upcoming The Air Cargo Agents Association of India’s (ACAAI) 48th Annual Convention set to be held in Baku from 5 December, 2024 till 8 December, 2024 with the theme ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics.’ Register Now!

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is all set to organise the 10th edition of Global Aviation and Air Cargo Summit on 4 September, 2024 focusing on shaping up a new futuristic aviation ecosystem. The event will focus on many topics including India becoming transshipment hub, innovation and tech integration, regulatory compliances and customs, freight forwarding and capacity building, MRO, future ready airports etc.  The event is expected to have air cargo and aviation experts from across the country.

  Om Logistics has announced the acquisition of Inland Container Depot (ICD) Bawal in Haryana for Rs110 crore. This significant investment marks a major milestone in Om Logistics’ journey, further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry. Strategically located on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and within the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) industrial estate, ICD Bawal is a state-of-the-art multimodal logistic hub built on 20 acres of land. The facility features 2 automated rail lines, a 30,000 sq. ft. custom bonded warehouse space and a capacity to handle 5,000 containers of EXIM cargo per month. ICD Bawal boasts exceptional connectivity to major ports, including Mundra, Pipavav and JNPT, ensuring seamless cargo movement. Additionally, its proximity to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and other airports enables efficient air cargo handling. The depot is also strategically located near NH48 and NH71, providing easy access to northern and western India via road connectivity. Further, ICD Bawal has direct connectivity to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) and Indian Railways, facilitating swift rail cargo movement. This acquisition enables Om Logistics to expand its PAN India operations, reduce average transit times and optimise supply chain management. “This milestone demonstrates our commitment to revolutionizing supply chain management and setting new benchmarks in the logistics industry,” said Raghav Singhal, Executive Director of Om Logistics. ICD Bawal features advanced technology, including automated container movement systems, real-time GPS tracking and app-based monitoring. The depot also offers customized warehousing solutions with value-added services, ensuring operational excellence and accuracy. With its strategic location and multimodal connectivity, ICD Bawal is poised to become a key hub for industrial and economic growth in the region, further solidifying Om Logistics’ position as a leader in …

        Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company says, “Customs will not be successful in digitisation until they get rid of annexures, stamping. and signing. All documents are still with hard copies at examination time, required for stamping. The process of paper needs to be eliminated by Re engineering, the processes. Finally, a clear message to the trade that no copies are required to be kept even at the stage of filing. This will be digitalisation and the true sense. It’s almost more than two decades. We are talking of the same thing, but it’s just not happening. Hundreds of representations by all logistics organisations have been made, but still a lot of paper is in the system. Implication will be the key to digitalisation. No hardcopies, no stamping, no signature, no hardcopy filings. Ultimately, this will be going digital in the true sense.”  

Sushant Nigam, Executive Director, ACAAI says, “Transition from the traditional to the digitised approach is a welcome move which needs to be discussed with all stakeholders for perfect integration. Warehousing processes, like discrepancy recording and amendment processes (arising out of mostly inadvertent excess / short landing of packages, incorrect or peeled-off labels, receiving / delivering EXIM cargo etc.), require technological solutions to cut down time & efforts consumed by involvement of multiple stakeholders and paperwork.”

CK Govil, President, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India says. “The Indian government’s plan to automate customs processes by 2026 is a forward-thinking move that will enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and minimise human error. This digital transformation is expected to streamline trade, boost economic growth, and improve transparency, positioning India as a more competitive global trading hub.”

Vineet Malhotra, Co-Founder & Director, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “Customs 2.0 is a long-awaited step toward making India more pro-business and improving ease of doing business. With automation in payments, approvals, and interfaces, we expect significant progress and a reduction in logistics costs across the country, driving greater efficiency and economic growth.”

Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic says, “The Indian government’s initiative to automate customs processes by 2026 marks a significant leap towards enhancing efficiency, transparency, and reducing delays in trade. As a technology solution provider to the logistics industry, Hans Infomatic supports this move, which aligns with our vision of streamlining operations through advanced digital solutions and paperless systems, ultimately benefiting the entire supply chain ecosystem.”