Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) also has plans to invest in domestic cargo facilities, expand international cargo operations and enhance cool port facilities. Satyaki Raghunath, COO, BIAL shared exclusively with Cargo Talk, “Our focus for the future includes investing in a new domestic cargo facility, expanding our international terminals, enhancing our cool port facilities, establishing a large automated truck parking facility, and implementing a fully paperless system. Transitioning from a concession model to a joint venture (JV) model with a 26% stake in each cargo entity reflects our commitment to making cargo a focal point of our business. We are optimistic about the prospects ahead and aim to reach 1.2 to 1.5 million metric tons by the mid-2030s, representing a significant growth from our current volume. These initiatives underscore our dedication to advancing and solidifying our presence in the air cargo industry.” He added, “Our upcoming plans revolve around strategic partnerships and significant investments to drive the growth of our cargo business.”

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport, Ahmedabad will have a new, semi-automated integrated cargo terminal by the end of this year. As part of its mega expansion plan, the city airport is expanding passenger as well as cargo handling capacities. The new terminal, located opposite the India Meteorological Department (IMD) office on the airport campus, will cover a built-up area of 33,000 sq m and have the capacity to handle 2 lakh tonnes per month. It is designed to handle future growth in cargo volume. The facility will manage domestic cargo, international cargo, express courier, cold-chain pharmaceuticals, and other perishable goods. Manoj Singh, Chief Officer Cargo shared exclusively with Cargo Talk that in terms of growth aspect and the potential, it’s a big pharma zone, there’s a need of a good airport cargo infra, and that’s where as part of the Adani Group, we intend to have a world-class integrated cargo terminal, which caters to almost around 300,000 tons of cargo capacity. This is where we are intending to move, and on 1 November, we intend to start, go live with our integrated cargo terminal.”  

  Navi Mumbai International Airport will soon have an integrated cargo facility to enhance cargo operations. “As a group, we are very keen and focused on creating the best infrastructure in India. First integrated cargo terminal is coming up at Navi Mumbai. Eventually, with 90 million passenger growth and infrastructure on the airport level, we would be catering around 2.62 million tons of cargo, and it will be a fully integrated automated and world-class facility which has integration of international cargo, domestic cargo, as well as the express industries,” says Manoj Singh, Chief Officer Cargo, Adani Airport Holding Ltd.  He adds, “ With this facility, we see huge potential, for growth for the next 20 years. Along with air cargo facility, we are intending to have a logistic park as well, closer to the airport premise, which will really cater to the world- class environment, and we’ll create that ecosystem that is a one-stop solution to our customers. I’m sure all the big stakeholders who are involved in the air cargo logistics would definitely get benefited from Navi Mumbai Airport.”

Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has also commenced international cargo operations from its integrated cargo terminal with flight IX 815 ferrying 2,522 kgs of fruits and vegetables to Abu Dhabi.  The formal launch was done in the presence of the AAHL Cargo team, the leadership team of the Mangaluru International Airport as well as representatives from Customs, Airlines – IndiGo and Air India Express – and Airport Security Group of CISF.  Working with regulatory authorities and airline partners, the airport, in the interim, vigorously pursued its status as Customs Cargo Service.

Online air cargo booking portal WebCargo by Freightos has integrated digital insurance service Breeze onto the platform. The integration will give WebCargo’s forwarder users the option of adding insurance when they make a booking. “With this collaboration, freight forwarders will have instant access to an insurance quote when they place a booking, removing the need to source insurance separately and streamlining the entire process,” Breeze said in a press release. The service will be available for forwarders in the US and UK. “Forwarders rely on WebCargo to book hundreds of thousands of shipments every quarter,” said Manuel Galindo, chief revenue officer, Freightos. “By partnering with outstanding companies like Breeze, we’re excited to add more services to our platform. This allows forwarders to focus on what matters most — customer relationships — rather than time-consuming pricing calls for services like insurance.”

“With the country’s current cold chain market size at US$35 billion and expected to reach US$50 billion by 2027, strategic investments are more critical than ever,” says Swarup Bose, CEO and founder, Celcius Logistics. He adds, “Prioritizing cutting-edge cold chain warehousing and transportation solutions in the budget is essential. These investments will not only bolster key sectors such as agriculture, food and dairy, processed food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, but also help reduce losses and improve the hunger index. By adopting advanced technologies like automation, AI-powered analytics, and blockchain, alongside a focus on environmentally conscious practices and regulatory compliance, we can enhance productivity, promote sustainability, and build resilience against supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, this strategic support will facilitate the growth of quick commerce, ensuring rapid and efficient delivery of goods. Celcius, in collaboration with the government, is dedicated to ensuring that the allocated resources unlock the full potential of our cold chain infrastructure, driving future efficiency and innovation in the industry.”

“National Logistics Policy (NLP) will bring the transformative change in the Indian logistics sector in terms of developing multimodal infrastructure, deploying technology and automation and data based decision making,” said Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, GoI during his speech at the ongoing India Warehousing Show (IWS) 13th edition. He added, “Distribution and Decentralisation is also on the govt agenda. The government is ready with master plans for improving infrastructure and the results will be seen on the scale of efficiency. Even many Indian states have also formulated their own NLPs, which will boost growth. Consensus for Digitalisation in international trade transactions is also done by the government, which will boost growth.”

BENZ Packaging, a leader in the packaging industry has inaugurated facilities in Chennai and the acquisition of prime land for a new manufacturing plant in Haryana. The Chennai plant, previously spanning 7,000 sq ft, has now expanded to an impressive 25,000 sq ft. This expansion is a testament to BENZ Packaging’s commitment to meeting the growing demands of its customers and enhancing its manufacturing capabilities.With this extension in area, the employment has also increased up to twice from 35 to 70 skilled workers.  The expanded facility bolsters the company’s ability to deliver innovative, high-quality packaging solutions across various sectors, including automobile, steel, defense, and food preservation. New Manufacturing Facility in Haryana In a monumental leap forward, BENZ Packaging has acquired 1.5 acres of prime land in Haryana for its upcoming manufacturing facility. This strategic move, accompanied by an investment exceeding Rs 50 crore, underscores BENZ Packaging’s dedication to innovation, growth, and community development. The new plant is designed to adhere to the highest industry standards and will serve as a hub for the company’s diverse product lines, including anti-corrosion, anti-humidity, handling, machinery packaging, wooden boxes, pallets, and stretch films. The Haryana facility is expected to create over 275 direct employment opportunities and generate more than 300 indirect work avenues, significantly contributing to the local economy. This expansion marks a strategic milestone in BENZ Packaging’s journey, enabling the company to enhance its capabilities and meet the increasing demand for its diverse product range.

The much awaited India Warehousing Show (IWS) begins today at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi. The three day show, open till 13 July is one of the premier events in the warehousing, logistics, and supply chain industry, IWS continues to provide a comprehensive platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering industry connections, and driving business growth. Organized by RX India, IWS continues to be a cornerstone event for warehousing, material handling, logistics, automation, and supply chain professionals bringing the entire industry together under one roof. The 13th edition of IWS shall feature  a special address by Shri Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary Logistics & Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, who will share his insights on the evolving logistics landscape in India. His address will highlight the government’s initiatives to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the sector, aligning with the theme “Streamlining Tomorrow: Transforming Supply Chains through Automation. Speaking about the event Mr. Umang Gupta , Country General Manager, RX India said “With the warehousing & logistics sector becoming increasingly critical to national economy, the industry needs to collaborate across the economic value chain and focus on technological advancements for business growth. Over the decade, India Warehousing Show has become the flagship event that brings together policy makers, technology companies & infrastructure customers, all under one roof. The 13th edition of IWS is focused towards the rapidly evolving policy & technology landscape and aims to connect all stakeholders vital to the next stage of warehousing & logistics.” With over 250 exhibitors, IWS aims to offer an immersive experience and platform where participants can witness the latest technological advancements and live product demonstrations from the biggest national and international companies providing …

“India has positioned itself as a global hub for manufacturing, which is largely due to the country’s fast- growing economy and various government initiatives,” says Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, IAG Cargo. He adds, “The country has become a global powerhouse producer of products such as pharma, perishables, healthcare, high tech, automotive, and aerospace. While there were disruptions during the pandemic, the industry is adapting and has been increasing capacity to support Indian businesses.”