About 74% of Indian organizations have scope for significant improvement in their last-mile fulfillment to provide the best speed, convenience, and delivery experience to customers, according to early findings from Locus’ Last-Mile Maturity Assessment (LMMA). The LMMA is a unique, industry-first benchmarking tool that helps enterprises understand their strengths, uncover new opportunities for growth in their logistics operations, and provide personalized business insights. The Assessment saw participation from leading enterprises from India, UAE, Indonesia, North America, Saudi Arabia, and from other emerging markets. These companies operate across diverse sectors such as 3PL & CEP, Manufacturing, E-commerce, and Retail. Through a comprehensive 5-point rating system, the assessment categorizes businesses into the Emerging, Growth, and Optimized stages, facilitating targeted improvements tailored to each organization’s specific needs. In India, 86% of 3PL and CEP businesses and 67% of Retail sector players are positioned within the ‘Growth’ stage, which indicates that with the right guidance and tools, such businesses can unlock an unparalleled scale and potential. Sharing his insights on the latest assessment report, Mehul Kapadia, Chief Revenue Office at Locus said, “Last-mile delivery is a rapidly changing industry whose significance cannot be ignored for companies with a customer-centric focus. However, in India, almost 70% of the organizations are not confident that their Last Mile operations will deliver real-world growth and memorable consumer experiences. To aid them in their growth journey, companies that complete the assessment recieve a comprehensive report that highlights the inefficiencies in their last-mile fulfillment processes. They also get to access recommendations and insights that will empower them to gain a competitive edge in their delivery experiences.”

Block your dates for the much-awaited, India Warehousing Show (IWS) set to take place on 14,15 &16 June in 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The show is focused to bring the biggest companies on the show floor showcasing supply chain solutions. The upcoming edition will have around 230 suppliers showcasing generation next technologies under niche segments including Automation for Logistics, Ecommerce Zone, Supply Chain Zone, Warehouse Real Estate Zone and Packaging for Logistics offering logistics professionals an exclusive opportunity to connect face-to-face with the right solution providers in New Delhi. “India Warehousing Show has been successfully bringing the logistics stakeholders for almost 12 years now. It continues to shine after all these years and is one of the most awaited events to highlight the current issues, trends and future plans for the logistics sector. Wishing IWS team and RX India the best for the upcoming event and hoping for more diversified events in the years to come,” Shri Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics & Trade, DPIIT, Ministry of commerce & Industry, Govt of India. Janish Jafri, Project Manager, India Warehousing Show, said, “My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming all participants to the 12th edition of India Warehousing Show is scheduled to take place from 14th to 16 June 2023 at Pragati Maidan. IWS has received an overwhelming response and is looking very good. This year, 230 exhibitors and around 15,000 attendees are expected to be a part of the event, product and solutions on display will include warehouse building solutions, materials handling solutions, storage solutions, automation and packaging for logistics, AIDC and software solutions, logistics service providers, LCV’s and UCV’s and other related services.” Echoing the same …

Adani Ports handled rail cargo of over 120 million metric tonnes (MMT), the highest ever, in the 2022-23 financial year and generated a record revenue of ₹ 14,000 crore for Railways, the company said in a statement. The volume of cargo handled by Adani Ports surpassed its previous best of 98.61 MMT in 2021-22, with a year-to-year growth of 22 per cent. Gujarat’s Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), handled 15,000 container trains, cementing its position as India’s EXIM gateway. In 2022-23, double-stack container trains handled by Mundra Port grew by 4.3 per cent year-to-year. “Double stack loading of containers on trains ensures transportation in an energy efficient and reliable manner, reducing overall per unit cost and improving customer satisfaction. This demonstrates Mundra Port’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations,” the company said. “The use of rail transport reduces the carbon footprint of freight transport, and the efficient handling of container trains reduces the need for additional truck transport, further reducing carbon emissions,” it added.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and Burrell Aviation Cincinnati are planning to build an air cargo warehouse facility with airside access on approximately 4.5 acres of airport property. The agreement includes a minimum capital investment of $20m. Last year, the US airport demolished old cargo facilities to make way for new infrastructure to enable cargo carriers and freight forwarders to move products more efficiently. Burrell Aviation develops, operates, and invests in next-generation supply chain infrastructure that supports the non-passenger aviation industry. Construction of the 80,000 sq ft facility with associated offices, truck docks, and parking lot will take place on the northern part of CVG’s campus. An expedited timeline is being worked on. “We appreciate the opportunity to assist with a significant expansion of CVG’s current cargo operations and to partner on such an important project with the airport, which is now one of the fastest-growing in the country due to the leadership of Candace McGraw and her team,” said The Burrell Group’s founder and executive chairman Dan Burrell. “Our strategic plan focuses on diversifying cargo operations, specifically, expanding general cargo handling capacity,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive, CVG. “We’ve been approached by developers and are pleased to partner with Burrell Aviation on this flagship facility. With ample demand, we know this facility will act as a catalyst for continued cargo growth at CVG.”

CMA CGM Air Cargo has launched a new freighter route between Paris, France and Mumbai, India, as part of its new partnership with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP). The freighter airline, which received its air carrier certificate from the French Civil Aviation Authority in June last year, said it began serving the route with an A330F aircraft undertaking four weekly flights from May 12. “Bombay (Mumbai) airport is a major hub offering adapted infrastructures for intermodal connections in the region,” said CMA CGM. “This new destination is part of our strategic partnership with the Air France KLM Martinair Cargo Group and complements the existing offer to give you even more options for your air transport needs.” AFKLMP and CMA CGM Air Cargo officially launched their capacity partnership in April. The initiative was first announced in May last year, when CMA CGM said it planned to purchase a 9% stake in Air France-KLM Group as part of a new 10-year partnership that would see the airline and shipping group combine their fleets. The partnership means the two carriers are now jointly operating the full-freighter aircraft capacity of their respective airlines, initially including CMA CGM’s six freighter aircraft and AFKLMP’s six freighters. The commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including more than 160 long-haul aircraft.

UPS Healthcare has opened a purpose-built 8,700 sq m healthcare logistics facility to meet demand from businesses in the country’s growing healthcare sector. The $20m facility in the west of Singapore is located at Gul Circle, within easy reach of PSA Terminals, the manufacturing cluster at Tuas Biomedical Park and the site of the future seaport at Tuas. The facility near doubles UPS’s overall healthcare warehousing space in Singapore to more than 19,000 sq m, adding to the company’s dedicated healthcare facility at the Airline Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS). It is capable of storing healthcare products in temperatures ranging from minus 80 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius. Compliant with all GDPMDS, ISO 13485 and GMP certification standards, it is also able to provide additional value-added services such as packaging, labelling, returns logistics and local customs brokerage. “By expanding our healthcare logistics footprint into the west of Singapore, we strengthen our ability to manage and combine both ocean and air shipments and support the country’s ambitions of becoming a regional distribution centre for the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ianne Loh, vice president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, UPS Healthcare. “Data from UPS’s intra-Asia study, which was released earlier this year, shows that the region’s healthcare sector plays a key role in achieving the full potential of its trade growth by 2030. “Our experience as a world leader in complex healthcare logistics ensures businesses in Singapore can access the services they need while, most importantly, giving patients the peace of mind knowing that their critical healthcare treatments and devices are in safe hands.” The opening of the new facility is the latest in a series of recent developments by UPS to …

Jeena & Company is geared up to introduce J5 – a freight forwarding and customs clearance platform built on a completely new technology architecture. This will be rolled out module-wise. With a focus on streamlining resources and enhancing operational efficiency, Jeena & Company has consistently integrated cutting-edge technology into its services. The introduction of J5 (Jeena 5th generation) is a reflection of the company’s constant evolution and future-forward digital outlook. The J5 platform is web-enabled, quick, user-friendly, and comes powered with the latest UI-UX design, making it a game-changer for the company. With dashboard-based working and intelligent reporting, J5 is designed to enhance the productivity of the workforce and make their tasks easier. “At Jeena & Company, we believe that technology is the backbone of modern logistics and supply chains. By investing in our employees and leveraging the latest technologies, we are building a brighter future for Jeena and our trusted customers and partners. We believe that J5 is just the beginning of a long journey towards a more resourceful, customer-centric, and digitally-driven logistics industry.” said Mr Meheriar Patel, Group Chief Information Officer at Jeena & Company. The platform is also Indian Customs integrated and ISO compliant, which means that it will help in exchanging data with Indian Customs at a faster pace, leading to enhanced operations. It is a transformative solution that will empower the employees and facilitate transparent and quick data exchange.

Bulgaria-based Cargo Air has ordered its fifth Boeing 737-800SF freighter conversion from Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI). The aircraft, (MSN 30881) is slated to commence modification in June 2023 with all conversion-related touch labor to be performed by authorised AEI conversion centre Commercial Jet in Miami. Cargo Air purchase and fleet acquisitions director Angel Petrov said: “AEI has provided Cargo Air with sustainable freighter solutions since 2007. They have listened to our needs and collaborated with us on product innovations, many features which are not available on other B737-800 freighter conversions. “This is our fifth B737-800SF freighter with AEI and we will continue to rely on them for our fleet renovation in the future years to come while replacing our B737 Classic freighters with 737NG freighters.” Upon completion of this order, Cargo Air will operate a total of 16 AEI freighters, including a mix of B737-300SF, B737-400SF, and B737-800SF freighters. The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a maindeck payload of more than 23 tonnes and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.

Cargomen Logistics has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli and Logistics Sector Skill Council of India (LSCI) to launch a Post Graduate Diploma in International Logistics. This 15-month course consists of 12 months of classes and 3 months of capstone project will help Logisticians to acquire a Post Graduate qualification while they are working. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cargomen Logistics and Bharathidasan University and LSCI marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and knowledge exchange. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to foster innovation, nurture talent, and contribute to the growth and development of the logistics industry. The MOU was signed by Prof L Ganesan, Registrar Bhartidasan University, Prof Ganesan Sivapunniam , LSCI and Mr Harihar Nath, Managing Director Cargomen in the presence of Prof M Selvam, VC, Bhartidasan University, Prof Ramganesh Ekambaram , Bhartidasan University, Mr Rajeev Kumar Thukral , Chief Strategy Officer, Cargomen and Prof Prof Dr Gayathri Harish, LSCI. . .

Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics launched its first Express Hub in Bhiwandi. Followed with Luhari and Pune, these new processing centres are a part of Mahindra Logistics large format, multi-client warehouse that offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. With a network of 17 processing centres and 200+ branches across the country, Express Hubs will serve diverse industries including e-commerce, consumer and engineering and will be operationally driven by a sustainable ecosystem. These new facilities are equipped with a comprehensive range of features and measures to ensure high-class capabilities, automation, and safety standards. Sreeram Venkateswaran, Chief Executive Officer at Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics said, “We are committed to provide fastest, safest, and most reliable express deliveries to our clientele and warehousing network is a key element. With the launch of Express Hubs, we look forward to providing a larger reach, best-in-class service delivery, integrated as well as customised solution for inbound and fulfilment, along with a sustainable ecosystem to enhance our Express Business’s capability”. Gurgaon based Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics has its foundation in the relay full truck load business. Over the years, the brand has made a strong presence in the PTL/Express services with pan India network, high-quality technology, and service backbone.