Volvo, largest automobile manufacturer  has bagged an order for 300 electric trucks from Danish logistics firm DSV.  The order, one of the largest electric ones for Volvo Trucks to date, represents about 8% of the total 3,800 electric trucks that the Volvo unit has delivered since 2019, it said in statement. Truck makers have braced this year for a downturn in demand as transport volumes fell from historically high levels in 2023. The high cost of electric trucks, which often cost twice as much as their diesel-powered equivalents, have also made the expected transition slow. Despite this, some customers are gradually placing more orders for electric trucks and producers continue to invest. The order from DSV also included 500 trucks with fossil fuel drivelines, Volvo said, adding that all trucks are planned to be delivered between this year and 2026.

According to the official reports, “The government is planning to digitalise the customs process by April 2026 and bring more departments on board the single window interface for facilitating trade (SWIFT) portal to expedite the clearance procedure. According to the reports published online, “The aim is to enhance ease of doing business for importers and exporters, boost EXIM trade and reduce the turnaround time.”

According to the TAC Index price reporting agency, “Global airfreight rates have been slightly changed, but there is movement on individual lanes. The overall Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI00) was down by just -0.1% in the week to August 19 – maintaining the solid pattern of recent weeks. The year-on-year gain now stands at +10.8%. The unchanged overall picture did hide considerable movement up and down on individual lanes, however. The index of outbound routes from Hong Kong (BAI30) gained a further +0.6% week on week, taking its year-on-year gain to +22.9%. But outbound rates from Shanghai slipped 1.2% WoW, though leaving its rise YoY at a robust 28.1%. There were also gains on rates from Seoul to Europe, while those out of India fell back a little after the huge rises earlier this year. Rates from Vietnam fell to Europe but rose again to the US.”  

Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer, Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) says, “The existing air cargo infrastructure in the country demands substantial improvements to align with the standards set by established transshipment hubs worldwide. The last-mile connectivity and road and rail links to major ports and airports hinder seamless cargo movement, affecting the overall efficiency of transhipment operations. Equally crucial is the need for a skilled workforce equipped with the necessary expertise to efficiently manage and oversee the operations of a transhipment hub. India faces strong competition from well-established transhipment hubs in the region, such as Singapore, Dubai, and Colombo. These hubs have mature infrastructure, streamlined processes, and a long history of efficiently handling large volumes of transhipment cargo. While India is adopting modern logistics technologies, the pace of implementation and adoption across all ports and airports varies, leading to inconsistencies in service levels. Additionally, the operational costs remain high compared to major competitors. To overcome these obstacles, concerted efforts must be made to invest in upgrading infrastructure, enhancing the capabilities of the workforce, and embracing technological advancements in cargo handling and processing., ultimately improving India’s attractiveness as a transhipment hub.”

  Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Terminal Management India says, “Recent efforts to enhance multimodal cross-border logistics have seen significant contributions from both the government and private sector, with Celebi playing its own role. The Indian government has invested in infrastructure upgrades, including expanded ports and modernized airports, through initiatives like the Sagarmala Program and Dedicated Freight Corridors. The National Logistics Policy also aims to streamline regulations and boost efficiency. In the private sector, Celebi amongst others has adopted advanced technologies such as automated cargo systems and real-time tracking to improve logistics operations. Strategic partnerships with other logistics providers have been formed to create integrated solutions. Additionally, Celebi is focusing on sustainability with eco-friendly practices and energy-efficient technologies. These combined efforts are essential for optimizing cross-border logistics and creating a more efficient and sustainable logistics network.”  

The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has entered into a strategic partnership with The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee through the signing of a MoU to advance research and development in the fields of logistics and supply chain management. The MoU was signed by Professor Akshay Dvivedi, Dean of Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy at IIT Roorkee, and Ritu Narang, Senior General Manager (MIS) at CONCOR. Professor Amit Upadhyay from the Department of Management Studies at IIT Roorkee will play a key role in this collaboration, actively participating in all related research activities. This collaboration between IIT Roorkee, a leading academic institution in India, and CONCOR, a major player in multimodal logistics services, is aimed at fostering research, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. The partnership will focus on developing advanced optimisation models to improve the efficiency of containerised freight transport across India’s railway network, with a particular emphasis on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. As part of the MoU, IIT Roorkee will leverage its academic and research expertise to conduct an in-depth Operations Research study. The study aims to optimise the loading of Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units on double-stack trains, to reduce container rail haulage costs and enhance inter-terminal movements through rail transhipment hubs. Additionally, the collaboration will involve creating an optimisation-based decision support system to facilitate the efficient movement of container trains across CONCOR’s network.

Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants to build a ‘Mega Airport City’ at Abusera in Bishoftu City that will include over 100,000sq m of cargo and support facilities. The site, 40 km from the existing Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, lies about 20 km south east of the city centre on the main A1 road to the south. According to Ethiopian Airlines, the Mega Airport City will have a capacity of 110m passengers each year, four times the current capacity of the existing gateway.

FedEx Express has launched an intelligent solution for monitoring and intervention of time-sensitive shipments that offers customers enhanced control and visibility. FedEx Surround uses advanced sensor technology including SenseAware ID with near real-time data analytics to provide continuous monitoring and proactive interventions, says release. The system is based on a lightweight, compact sensor that transmits the precise package location every two seconds via Bluetooth Low Energy to WiFi access points or gateway devices throughout the network. FedEx said that packages can be tracked hundreds of times compared with only a few dozen of times with traditional package scanning equipment and that the system provides unprecedented levels of real-time shipment location data. The carrier adds that artificial intelligence and machine learning can predict potential disruption, allowing it and its customers to swiftly make informed decisions.  

  Prediman Koul, CEO, Jeena and Company shares, “Navigating complex regulatory landscape, dealing with port overcrowding, and addressing skilled workforce shortages are major challenges for the industry. These issues can slow down operations and increase costs, despite ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and efficiency. Additionally, unforeseen disruptions often arise, underscoring the need for robust risk management strategies to absorb and mitigate potential impacts. These challenges highlight the importance of being prepared for unexpected scenarios and the value of resilience in the face of uncertainty.”

The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) announces theme ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics’ for its 48th Annual Convention, to be held in Baku from 5th December till 8th December, 2024. The country‘s biggest air cargo convention is expected to have air cargo and logistics industry stakeholders from across the world.