Category Archives: Aviation

Cargo traffic at 12 major ports in the country grew 5.92% to 70.08 million tonnes (MT) in July from 66.17 MT handled in the year-ago period, according to the data released by major ports’ apex body Indian Ports Association. The data also showed that 10 of these major ports logged positive growth in cargo traffic handling, while the remaining two saw a negative growth, as per the IPA. The 12 major ports are Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Tuticorin (VO Chidambaranar), Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The political crisis in Bangladesh has posed significant concerns for the Indian exporters and importers, and especially for those who were operating or had their factories in the neighbouring country. As per experts, the ongoing disruption will have great impact on the global supply chains and will affect production schedules and delivery timelines of the Indian firms. Commenting on the crisis, C K Govil, President Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) and CMD, Activair Airfreight says, “The ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh has significantly disrupted Indian export cargo transshipments. This turmoil is causing delays and increasing logistical costs particularly affecting sectors like agriculture and textiles. Internet disruption and security concerns at borders are further complicating trade operations.”  

Modern Logistics is all set to start the first phase of its international expansion strategy later this month and has further plans to expand its fleet, said release. “The initial phase of the expansion strategy will begin on August 15 and expand Modern’s service to Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. The second phase will target Mexico and the US within six to twelve months. Cristiano Koga, Chief executive said, “We will start with at least two weekly frequencies [for each route]. We are still defining the days of the week. In terms of capacity, it is 20 to 22 tons per leg. These expansion plans are being supported by Modern Logistics’ acquisition of two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs).”

IndiGo CarGo has commenced freighter flights between Kolkata in India and Ezhou in China as it continues to expand its network. The freighter flights between Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) and Ezhou Huahu Airport (EHU) in central China’s Hubei Province will operate three times a week, said Mark Sutch, chief commercial officer cargo, said reports. “A great pleasure to officiate at the opening of IndiGo CarGo’s latest phase of its international freighter strategy,” stated Mark Sutch, CCO-Cargo, IndiGo in a LinkedIn post. “This week we opened a new 3 times weekly freighter service between Kolkata in India and Ezhou in China’s Hubei Province. For our customers the airport’s central China location offer very extensive reach via road feed service to multiple China metros,” he added.  

  The global air cargo industry has witnessed a continued surge in demand during the first half of 2024. According to the data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) it has been an exceptional period for air cargo. This remarkable rebound growth has not only surpassed the previous year’s figures but has also outperformed the record-breaking levels seen in 2021. June 2024 marked the seventh consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth in air cargo demand.

The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) has established a new board for a two-year term i.e. 2024-2026, in its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 31st July 2024 in New Delhi. Sanjiv Edward, CEO – Cargo and Logistics at GMR Group, has been elected as the President of ACFI for the said term. Yashpal Sharma will serve on the board as an Ex-Officio (Immediate Past President), continuing his support for ACFI’s objectives and the enhancement of the Indian economy. The new governing board is excited and fully charged up looking forward to working together with the ACFI family and scaling new heights.  Together we can. Agenda focuses on air cargo infra-development, policy leveraging, ease of doing business, and overall ecosystem development to support air cargo growth in the country.

Mahima Agarwal, President-HR, CJ Darcl Logistics says, “In the age of digital commerce, Indian customers are demanding a wider selection of products at competitive prices with speedy delivery. Meeting these demands requires a robust supply chain that supports digital commerce. According to the latest Economic Survey, the efforts to build a robust network have helped India rank 22nd in international shipments. The government’s recognition of this sector’s potential for economic growth is evident in initiatives such as the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) and the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0, which aim to streamline logistics processes and enhance efficiency. To realize the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is essential to focus on upskilling and reskilling the workforce in the logistics sector. CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd. exemplifies this commitment by implementing in-house training programs that go beyond technical skills to include self-development, stress management, and leadership. Regular training sessions and driver assessments help identify areas for improvement, ensuring continuous skill development and operational excellence. A dynamic e-commerce sector, supported by a skilled logistics workforce, is vital for generating millions of jobs and driving inclusive economic growth across India.”

Vineet Malhotra, Director and Co-Founder, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “Human resource development is often relegated in the run to improve infrastructure and technological capabilities. A World Bank report says the skill gap and digital fluency is comparatively low among the logistics industry workforce. The National Logistics Policy envisages an upskilling and reskilling of workforce to adapt, innovate and excel. However, the mere success of this framework lies in execution. It must enable them to think critically, learn continuously and thrive in an ever-changing environment. In the last 3-4 years, the skillset in the logistics industry is rapidly changing to be more data and tech driven. Industry bodies and private players have a huge role to play in shaping up the skill-gap. Today, we see several top logistics companies have come up with an inhouse training programmes for their employees with the attributes of adapt, innovate, and excel. Opportunities are enormous for the youth as the logistics industry is becoming competitive. It contributes to 14% of Indian GDP and can generate 10 mn jobs by 2027. On the other hand, industry consortiums too are playing a pivotal role in fast-tracking this progress. We see educational institutes actively collaborating with the industry to ease the process and bridge the skill gap. We see specialized programs on AI, Blockchain and IoT offered by Indian B-Schools with a management perspective offered by institutions are actively pursued by young professionals and the outcome looks promising. In-fact logistics is now specialised programs in technical institutes as well.”

        Blue Dart Express has collaborated with the Swades Foundation to revitalize Safed Musli cultivation in Nashik as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This joint initiative has significantly enhanced farmer incomes and provided an innovative solution for crop diversification. Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a high-value tuber crop renowned for its medicinal properties, such as enhancing vitality, boosting immunity, and addressing gynecological disorders, had been critically endangered due to unsustainable collection and habitat loss. The tropical climate and altitude of Surgana taluka in Nashik create an ideal environment for cultivating this valuable herb. However, the high cost of planting material had deterred widespread cultivation. Swades Foundation, a grassroots organization dedicated to rural empowerment, partnered with Blue Dart in FY’23-24 to conduct a pilot program involving 82 households in Nashik, each cultivating Safed Musli on 5 gunthas (5,000 sq feet) of land. Through comprehensive training and support from Swades, farmers were introduced to Safed Musli cultivation, provided with high-quality planting material, and guided throughout the crop cycle to the post-harvest stage. The results were remarkable, with farmers achieving a yield valued at Rs. 1,200 per kilogram, leading to an income of Rs. 28,575 per household.

CSafe, a provider of a range of thermal shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical cold chain, has launched a new model of its Silverpod pallet shipper that is designed to help users save on disposal costs and improve environmental sustainability. The Silverpod MAX RE, based on CSafe’s single-use Silverpod MAX passive pallet shipper, is made of reusable components. Its maker claims the product offers more than 120 hours of thermal protection. It is made from durable exterior panels with extended edge and corner cap protection so that it can be used many times. The shipper is supplied via a rental model in which CSafe fully manages the life cycle and return of the product. The pallet shipper is supplied flat-packed for delivery, storage and assembly.