April 2022 Trade Data showed the highest-ever exports of over US$ 38 billion indicating the continuous impressive performance of the exports sector. “The outstanding accomplishments of the exporters have consistently not only helped the economy to reap rich dividends but will also support our endeavour to become a US$ 5 trillion economy by 2025. Starting the fiscal with such an impressive beginning will further add to the motivation of the exporting community for much higher growth during the financial year, said Dr A Sakthivel, President, FIEO. He thanked the government, whose support and vision coupled with the confidence and trust shown on the exporting community has re-invigorated all stakeholders. Dr Sakthivel also welcomed Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister and Piyush Goyal, the Union Commerce & Industry for interacting and guiding the exporters to continue their export growth trajectory.

Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) team members recently visited Jebel Ali Free Zone, a free economic zone located in the Jebel Ali Port area at the far western end of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to experience the port infrastructure and its cost-effective operations. Jebel Ali Free Zone is the flagship free zone of DP World. While interacting with the team members of the DP World, Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI said, “We thank the DP World for warm welcome and hospitality extended to our FFFAI team during visit to their Dubai headquarters. It was a pleasure meeting Mike and the DP World team exchanging ideas and areas of cooperation to take it forward to next level,” he said.

engaged in the maritime sector, announced Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The Union minister also unveiled the startup engagement framework of CSL on the inauguration of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. The startup framework is envisaged to augment the Government of India’s initiatives to develop an ecosystem in India for supporting the maritime startups from technical, regulatory, financial, and marketing points of view by bringing the stakeholders together, read an official statement. The framework is likely to provide a platform for young and talented entrepreneurs to develop the products/services in the marine space with financial support provided by CSL.

Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) was conferred with the ‘Best Cargo Ground Handler’ 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. AISATS is India’s leading gateway services’ company headquartered in Mumbai. It operates in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Manguluru airports. AISATS offers end-to-end ground handling services such as passenger and baggage handling, ramp handling, aircraft interior cleaning, load control and flight operations, cargo handling services for general, perishable, transhipment, express courier, and special cargo.

Ford Fleet Management (FFM) has signed a multi-year contract with DHL Inside Track to manage the preparation and transport of leased vehicles in the United Kingdom. DHL Inside Track, representing DHL’s automotive sales business arm, will be responsible for bookings and delivery of Ford vehicles to customers, as well as collection and “in-life” refurbishment. The FFM, a joint venture between Ford and ALD Automotive, provides short and long-term flexible leasing for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and passenger cars. The logistics process will be established online as a part of Ford’s strategy to increase efficiency. The fleet management facility in Cambridgeshire will run the operation which has the required infra to offer Ford a tailored solution. Ford says partnering with DHL Inside Track is the right decision to meet the growth plans with Inside Track’s experience in the finished vehicle, fleet automotive and direct-to-customer.

Maritime Transport & Shipping India Expo 2022, Global Maritime Logistics and Shipping business networking exhibition and conference, will begin in Mumbai on May 11-13 2022. The event which will take place at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon East is supported by Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Indian Ports’ Association, Inland Waterways Authority of India and Federation of Indian Exports’ Organisation. The inaugural edition of Maritime Transport & Shipping India Expo 2022 shall provide global maritime logistics, cargo, freight, material handling, supply chain, coastal shipping industry and inland waterways an integrated platform for both live business networking opportunities and future technological knowledge summits.

Menzies Aviation announces several new ground services contracts in Mexico, where it now operates at 31 airports. The contracts are with American Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Flair Airlines, Frontier Airlines and TAG Airlines, and represent the strengthening of Menzies’ presence in the Latin American market. Menzies has won two new contracts with American Airlines, for the delivery of passenger, ramp, and cabin cleaning services at Chetumal, and for ramp and cabin cleaning services at Manzanillo. At Cancun, Mexico’s second busiest airport, Menzies is providing Aeroflot with passenger, ramp, and cabin cleaning services. John Redmond, Executive Vice President, Americas, Menzies Aviation, said, “We are excited to further expand our presence in Latin America with these new contract wins across Mexico, which highlight the positive reputation Menzies has built for providing safe, secure, and consistent quality service across the region. We look forward to continuing to strengthen and grow our relationships with each of these airlines in the future.”

MEX Storage Systems was conferred with the ‘Best Storage Systems Manufacturer’ 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. The award was presented by Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. The firm is one of the leading heavy duty warehouse rack manufacturers in Delhi and Noida. The company designs and manufactures bespoke heavy duty racks to manage the floor space and ease the operations.

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), one of the biggest trading hubs in the region, has started construction of its Jafza Logistics Park as demand for warehousing units continues to increase due to the e-commerce boom fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Jafza Logistics Park is scheduled for completion next year,” read the statement. “The purpose-built trading and logistics development will accommodate the growing number of warehousing, processing and logistics activities carried out in Dubai,” as per the statement. “We recognise the role the logistics sector plays in enabling the growth of various industries around the globe,” said Abdulla Bin Damithan, Chief Executive and MD, DP World UAE and Jafza. “As the UAE continues to grow into a global processing and re-distribution gateway, we experienced a spike in demand for the logistics and warehousing space. We are building the Jafza Logistics Park in response to the increase in demand and to give an impetus to the development of the UAE’s logistics sector,” he added.

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will construct a transport corridor of the northern Ring Road project. It will be jointly constructed with the state government. As per the deliberations, out of 360-metre-wide Ring Road, NHAI will construct 70-metre corridor, while Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) will construct 135-metre development corridor on either side of the Ring Road. A senior JDA official said, “The NHAI will bear the acquisition and construction cost of the land for building transport corridor. The chief secretary has also mentioned the same in the recent letter.” The cost of 45-km (Bagrana to Achrol) project is pegged at Rs 2,887 crore. The Ring Road project will comprise a six-lane access-controlled expressway and a three-lane service road on both sides. The northern corridor will also be developed on the lines of the 47km southern corridor (Agra Road to Ajmer Road) and the agencies will acquire 360-metre wide strip of land.