Integrated fund and development management platform Welspun One has raised a second fund worth Rs 2,275 crore, inclusive of co-investment commitments, to strengthen logistics infrastructure in the country. The funds were raised from a diverse pool of approximately 800 Limited Partners (LPs), including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, corporates, and domestic institutions. Combined with ‘Fund 1’, Welspun One’s investor base now comprises approximately 1,000 unique investors, a company statement said. Welspun One had raised Rs 500 crore as part of its first fund in early 2021.  “Our commitment to advancing critical logistics infrastructure is in perfect alignment with India’s strategic objective of reducing logistics costs from 14 per cent to 8 per cent, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of our industries,” said Chairman in a statement.

Mangaluru International Airport has commenced international cargo operations from its integrated cargo terminal with flight IX 815 ferrying 2,522 kg of fruits and vegetables to Abu Dhabi. The inauguration was done in the presence of the AAHL Cargo team, the leadership team of MIA, and representatives from Customs, Airline – IndiGo and Air India Express – and Airport Security Group of CISF, said reports. The airport officials said in a statement that international cargo operations will enable exporters from coastal Karnataka and Kerala and the hinterland to export perishables items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, food, tropical fish, frozen and dry fish, etc. in the form of belly cargo. IndiGo and Air India Express, with their connectivity, will enable exporters to send cargo to Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain.    

  Airbus has reportedly received potential orders from customers in Asia and the US and the aircraft manufacturer is geared up for growth with A350F this year. Both Asia and the US hold promise for new orders of the A350 freighter, according to the aircraft manufacturer. Airbus has witnessed a steady stream of A350F orders, now totalling 55 from 10 customers, many of them combination carriers that already have the A350 passenger model in their fleet.

  The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) signed MoU for the development of framework and assessment of logistics cost in India. It aims to develop a detailed framework for assessment of and make a comprehensive study for assessment of logistics cost for year 2023-24 and assessment of differentials in logistics costs across routes, modes, products, types of cargo, and service operations. The MoU, signed by Anil Sharma, Secretary and Operations Director, NCAER,  and Surendra Ahirwar Joint Secretary, DPIIT will also involve identification of major determinants along with influence on the logistics in different sectors. This MoU envisages NCAER to conduct the detailed study and submit the report within a years’ time.

C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight shares, “Rainproofing cargo during the monsoon season is crucial for several reasons like rain can cause significant damage to cargo, especially to goods sensitive to moisture. Ensuring proper rainproofing can prevent financial losses and preserve the quality and integrity of the products. Moist environments can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can ruin goods and make them unsafe for use or consumption. Proper rainproofing helps mitigate this risk. In summary, rainproofing cargo during the monsoon season is an essential practice to protect goods, maintain supply chain efficiency, comply with regulations, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Sandeep Kulkarni – Chief Operating Officer – Allcargo Gati Limited says, “Meticulous planning and a sturdy infrastructure is vital for cargo safety during the monsoons. Route optimization is required to guide vehicles through strategically selected fastest routes to minimize risks and improve the dependability of deliveries by leveraging technology. Few strategies undertaken are: Implementing real time tracking systems to monitor continuous movement of shipments and adjust routes promptly based on weather updates. Furthermore, we endeavour to assure secure storage facilities and safety of consignments so that cargo reaches intact and on time despite the challenging situations.”

  Rohit Chaturvedi, Partner, Transport and Logistics, Government, Infrastructure, Development sector Advisory Services, Forvis Mazars in India said, “Ensuring cargo safety during the monsoon season is critical to prevent damage and delays. Effective measures include using waterproof packaging, securing goods properly, and planning routes to avoid flood-prone areas. Regular maintenance of transportation vehicles and real-time weather monitoring can also help in navigating through adverse conditions. Furthermore, leveraging technology like humidity sensors for remote, real-time monitoring of cargo conditions enables proactive interventions. This is crucial for maintaining optimal humidity levels, particularly for sensitive cargo transported across different states.”

Sushant Nigam, Executive Director, ACAAI shares, “Monsoon may have its adverse effects on the EXIM shipments, so industry should be prepared for it well-in-advance. All the key stakeholders, like shippers, agents, airlines and the cargo terminal operators must ensure safe & secure handling by appropriate packaging, protected transportation and covered storage. Proper handing or taking over of the shipments between the stakeholders at any stage during carriage should be discrepancy-free otherwise liability to be ascertained and fixed.”

Dipen Lalsodagar, Deputy Director, Cargo Sales Global Aviation Services shares, “During monsoon, water logging at warehouses is a major problem, due to heavy rains. We need infrastructure upgradation like quick water drainage system. Airports should implement a minimum standard for cargo packing material for better handling and to avoid cargo claims. Customs should allow Built Up Units (BUPs) to avoid multiple handling during supply chain.”

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics shares, “Technology is the key to all. When we handle large volumes of cargo or large infrastructure, to maintain that we need to have a technology. The recent accident at the Delhi airport could have been avoided if we have a preventive maintenance with the help of AI, ML or the prevailing technologies. Same applies to the cargo warehouses. If we are equipped with better surveillance equipment, better reporting analytical software, we can have a better decision-making power. As a forwarder, when we handle cargo in a volatile market, with the predictive analysis, with the help of data analytics, we can predict the market of the future and can suggest the shipper to act accordingly. Disruptions in the cargo industry are always going to be there, as a service provider, we should always gear up with the alternate solution to the shipper and the consignee with the best possible solution.”