Category Archives: Aviation

India’s Telangana state is working on developing a dry port in its northern corridor in a public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The aim is to augment its logistics infrastructure to support industrial development and boost exports. Feasibility studies are under way to consider setting up additional dry ports to further raise exports, according to media reports from the state. Exports from the state are routed now through ports in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states.

The Domestic Air Cargo Agents Association of India (DACAAI) held a meeting with Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) to discuss the Immediate measures for smooth domestic cargo handling at IGI Airport. DIAL advised their team for taking urgent short term measures as well as long term measures to facilitate smooth cargo movement.  The meeting was chaired by Sanjiv Edward, CCO & Head Cargo, GMR Group.  

  The registrations for The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI)’s upcoming 48th Annual Convention in Baku, from 5th December to 8th December, 2024, will close soon. The last date of registration is 10th October, 2024. The industry stakeholders still have a chance to register and be part of one of the biggest air cargo conventions wherein experts will not only get chance to collaborate but also indulge in insightful discussions. C K Govil, President, ACAAI says, “The choice of the destination for the ACAAI Convention this year has been a major attraction for the members who have registered in large numbers forcing ACAAI to close the registration by 10th October 2024.”

Kintetsu World Express (KWE) Benelux is planning to open a new air cargo terminal near Schiphol Airport as it looks to expand its handling capability. The new facility will measure 18,270 sq m, with 9,175 sq m of warehousing and 735 sq m of office space. It is due to open in December of this year. “By initiating cargo handling at our own terminal, we aim to expand our air import/export business, enhance our presence in Europe, and increase the volume of cargo handled between Europe, Asia and the Americas,” the forwarder said. Currently, KWE operates two facilities on the Westpoort industrial estate – warehouse 1 (10,811㎡) and warehouse 2 (4,423㎡), which are located approximately 10km from Schiphol Airport. The logistics operations in Warehouse 2 will be merged into Building 1 and the new air cargo terminal following its opening. “The new terminal is strategically positioned in Schiphol Airport’s cargo area, close to airline cargo facilities,” KWE Benelux said. “It will begin in-house Unit Load Device (ULD) build-up and breakdown of air consolidation cargo to accommodate a wide range of goods.

Aviral Consulting released knowledge report on key drivers and indicators for growth of logistics sector in India. Understanding the interplay between key growth indicators and the logistics sector is crucial for industry stakeholders. By analysing these indicators, stakeholders can better forecast and react to shifts in the economic landscape. Key economic metrics, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), inflation, and trade volumes, are intrinsically linked to the expansion of the logistics sector. Staying informed on these drivers sets businesses up for smarter decision-making and growth Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary – Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade unveiled the report at International Supply Chain and Logistics Summit 2024. During his opening remarks to the attendees, he mentioned various initiatives of Government for improving logistics efficiency. About the report he mentioned “This report brings out a lot of insights about multiple aspects of the economy and just not economy but also the logistics sector in particular. I really appreciate the effort and, the kind of, mixed scenario which report is bringing about, which can be called as optimistic, less optimistic, and maybe, you know, normistic” The report was researched and authored by  Vikash Khatri (Founder, Aviral Consulting) and his team. The report was highly appreciated by everyone present at the event. Khatri also gave a short presentation post unveiling event, explaining the contents of the knowledge report and what he envisions to achieve with it. The report, he said, is a overview of the state of knowledge on the topic, and it provides insights into current trends, key economic indicators and its foreseeable impact on logistics sector. He went on to add that Aviral Consulting will continue for its commitment …

IndoSpace announced its plans to increase its investments up to INR 4,500 crore in new logistics and warehouse parks in Tamil Nadu. Following an INR 2000 crores MOU with the Tamil Nadu government last year, this new announcement highlights the firm’s dedication to both the state and the Make in India initiative. These parks will support the growing manufacturing sectors like automobile and electronics in the state. Significantly, this investment is expected to create 8000 + new jobs, accelerating economic growth and enhancing the state’s already credible industrial infrastructure. Tamil Nadu continues to be a preferred destination for global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), with companies like Hyundai, Nissan, Foxconn, and Pegatron announcing significant expansions in the state. IndoSpace has helped in developing an ancillary ecosystem that supports these OEMs, facilitating seamless supply chain operations and enabling faster industrial growth. The company’s strategic parks, located across key industrial zones, have provided state-of-the-art infrastructure to industries, contributing significantly to Tamil Nadu’s growing prominence as a global manufacturing hub. IndoSpace’s presence in Tamil Nadu: With a portfolio comprising 15 Grade A parks, IndoSpace has developed over 8.8 million square feet of completed infrastructure, with an additional 2 million square feet under construction and 4.6 million square feet planned for future development. These parks are spread across 649 acres of land and serve 66 unique tenants from a variety of sectors, including automotive, electronics, logistics, and engineering. IndoSpace’s total equity committed to the state as on date stands at USD 380 million, and the facilities offer a potential chargeable area of 15.4 million square feet, reinforcing IndoSpace’s strong presence in Tamil Nadu’s industrial ecosystem.  

Logistics Data Bank (LDB), a key initiative under NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL), has achieved a significant milestone by successfully tracking over 75 million EXIM containers. This achievement underscores LDB’s role in transforming India’s logistics ecosystem, providing the sector with greater visibility and analytics. CEO & MD, NICDC and Chairman, NLDSL, Rajat Kumar Saini commended the achievement, stating, “This is a monumental achievement for NLDSL and LDB. Tracking 75 million containers reflects the growing impact of digitalization in India’s logistics sector. LDB has significantly enhanced the country’s supply chain efficiency and is instrumental in India’s journey toward becoming a global manufacturing hub. Our commitment remains unwavering in continuing to support the growth of the logistics sector.” LDB serves as a single-window container logistics visualization system, providing comprehensive tracking using container numbers. This system tracks containers between ports and their hinterlands, including Inland Container Depots (ICDs), Container Freight Stations (CFSs), port-associated parking plazas, toll plazas, railway stations, industrial corridors, SEZs, and empty yards, etc. during EXIM and domestic journeys. The World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which ranks countries based on their logistics performance, has recognized the pivotal role of LDB in India’s improved rankings. India’s LPI ranking improved from 44 in 2018 to 38 in 2023, showcasing the significant advancements in logistics efficiency driven by LDB’s contributions.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), August was the ninth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth for the global air cargo market boosted by global trade growth, e-commerce demand and ocean shipping constraints. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), rose by 11.4% compared to August 2023 levels, said IATA.  Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 6.2% compared to August 2023. This was largely due to 10.9% growth in international belly capacity. Industry-wide capacity has reached an all-time high, noted the trade body. And the cargo load factor was up two percentage points to 44%. Despite global record capacity and falling fuel prices, the global air cargo yield maintains a moderate upward trend.“We continue to see very good news in air cargo markets,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “The sector recorded a second consecutive month of record high demand year-to-date. Even with record levels of capacity, yields are up 11.7% on 2023, 2% on the previous month, and 46% above pre-pandemic levels.“This strong performance is underpinned by slow but steady growth in global trade, booming e-commerce, and continuing capacity constraints on maritime shipping.”  

The Storage Solutions business of Godrej & Boyce announced the acquisition of Armes Maini to support India’s rapidly evolving logistics and warehousing sector, the business has substantially enhanced its production capability with this strategic move. The acquisition includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Bengaluru, boasting a robust capacity of 20,000 tonnes per annum, spanning 150,000 square feet. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, this facility will increase capacity for shelving solutions by around 35%, playing a critical role in meeting the surging demand for efficient and scalable storage solutions driven by changing consumption trends. This move comes at a crucial time when the logistics industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by evolving consumption patterns and the rapid expansion of quick commerce platforms. Mr. Vikas Choudaha, Executive Vice President & Business Head, Storage Solutions, Godrej Enterprises Group, said,“With only 40% of current warehousing facilities classified as Grade A, there is a pressing need for sustainable, cutting-edge solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of India’s warehousing infrastructure. We intrinsically understand the evolving needs of our country’s burgeoning logistics and warehousing sector, and by expanding our capabilities we are actively contributing to India’s infrastructure development. As the dominant player in India’s storage solutions industry, with over 30% market share, this strategic acquisition reaffirms our commitment to nation-building.  Our enhanced capacity will allow us to meet the increasing demands of boomingsectors like e-commerce and quick commerce driven by consumption trends and serve the demand for advanced warehousing solutions.”

Amazon Transportation Services (Amazon India) and the Department of Posts (India Post) announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to fortify their nationwide logistics partnership. By combining Amazon’s customer-centricity and technological prowess with India Post’s vast last-mile delivery network and decades of expertise, the collaboration aims to redefine benchmarks in e-commerce logistics. Under the MoU, the two will closely synchronize operations through seamless integration and knowledge exchange to maximize efficiencies, optimize resource utilization, and explore capacity sharing across their logistics networks. The alliance will drive mutual growth while elevating the delivery experience for Amazon customers, especially in remote and rural parts of India. In the last 2-3 years, India Post’s footprint across Amazon logistics network has more than doubled with pickup points growing from 6 locations to 13 locations across the country. In another first, Amazon became the first ecommerce company to enable an end-to-end integrated cash-on-delivery solution with India Post. This along with overall improvements has resulted in a near 3X increase in the volume of Amazon parcels being delivered via India Post in the past 18 months. Abhinav Singh, VP Operations, Amazon India said, “Our relationship with India Post has been a pivotal part of Amazon’s growth story in India and has contributed to making ecommerce a nationwide phenomenon. By joining forces with this iconic institution that has served India for decades, we have been able to create new benchmarks in logistics and customer service repeatedly over the years. This aligns seamlessly with the government’s vision to modernize and augment India Post’s services and reach using cutting-edge technology and processes. As we elevate this alliance to the next level through the MoU signed today, I am confident that the best …