Category Archives: Supply Chain

The Container Corporation of India’s (CONCOR) MMLP at Khatuwas, Rajasthan gets LNG station to promote environment-friendly logistics solutions in the country. CONCOR has commissioned in-house LNG station at MMLP Khatuwas, in collaboration with IOCL, to ensure un-interrupted supply of LNG to be used primarily for first and last mile services to customers on CONCOR-owned LNG-powered road trailers. The inauguration was done by Ravinder Goyal-Member Operations & Business Development, Railway Board, Govt of India.  

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics says, “India’s customs clearance has seen remarkable advancements over the last 20 years, largely due to digitalisation. Processes are now faster, with reduced dependency on physical documents and presence, thanks to e-governance systems like EDI / E-Office. However, further improvements—such as seamless integration with participating government agencies (PGA) , simplified documentation, faster dispute resolution of interpretation of notification and HSN, and better transparency—can drive even greater efficiency and predictability.”

To promote sustainable development, NITI Aayog and WRI India conducted e-FAST Summit 2024, a full-day event in New Delhi. e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport), spearheaded by NITI Aayog, will soon celebrate two years of collaboration and impact. It collaborated with over 85 esteemed knowledge and industry partners whose invaluable contributions have driven the transition toward zero-emission freight.

The Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSCI) and VCJ Foundation Trust (VCJF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 19, 2024, to enhance cooperation and collaboration in the Logistics field. The agreement was signed by Ravikanth Yamarthy, Chief Executive Officer of LSCI, and Pankaj Jain, Co-Founder & Chairman of VCJ Foundation Trust, at IndiaSkills 2024 held at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Delhi. The collaboration between LSCI and VCJF focuses on areas such as placement, affiliations, and Logistics-related courses.

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and FedEx Logistics signed MoU to facilitate the establishment of a regional logistics facility in Qatar’s free zones. The facility, which will operate under the company’s FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage division, will be located at Ras Bufontas Free Zone and will include a state-of-the-art logistics office. The MoU was signed by Sheikh Mohammed H. F. Al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), and Patrick Moebel, President and CEO of FedEx Logistics, in a ceremony that took place on the sidelines of their participation at the Qatar Economic Forum, following a productive panel discussion titled ‘Connecting to the Shifting Global Supply Chain Network’ that brought together QFZ and FedEx Logistics. The new facility will help continue to support the expansion of FedEx Logistics with seamless integration into the FedEx global network, serving as a key gateway for international cargo transition in the region between Asia and Europe, says release. The location of the FedEx Logistics facility in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, adjacent to the award-winning Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways, will provide enhanced access to air transportation and freight, efficient customs processing time, convenience, and the opportunity to grow business in the region. Sheikh Mohammed H. F. Al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) said: “The collaboration between QFZ and FedEx Logistics will help accelerate the flow of goods and strengthen supply chains, benefitting economies on a global scale”. He added, “The FedEx Logistics investment in QFZ reflects a shared commitment to growth and innovation within the logistics sector. The collaboration leverages the world-class expertise and global network of FedEx and will undoubtedly contribute to highlighting Qatar as a preferred business …

According to a report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company, both shippers and logistics providers have sustained and grown their technology investments since 2020, despite deteriorating market conditions. The report, “Digital logistics: Technology race gathers momentum,” gathered results from more than 250 logistics leaders, who agree on market forces propelling shippers and logistics providers towards technological innovations for increased flexibility, predictability, efficiency, and resilience. The common pain points that they share include cost management, productivity of the workforce, labour, and performance, according to the report. This indicated that shippers and providers can address these shared challenges amongst others to increase capability and coordination.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) announced a surge in cargo shipments, with an additional volume of 2,500 metric tons of goods processed during the festive season of 2023. Amongst the different cargo categories from CSMIA, the e-commerce sector marked a 87 per cent year-on-year increase. There was also 64 per cent movement in outbound domestic cargo and 36 per cent movement in inbound domestic cargo. In terms of volume for international and domestic cargo, the overall surge distribution leaned towards domestic shipments that accounted for 56 per cent, while international cargo made up for the remaining 44 per cent.

cargo-partner officially launched the construction of the third warehouse hall at its iLogistics Centre in Dunajská Streda, Slovakia. The expansion will almost double the storage capacity from the current 27,600 to 50,000 pallet spaces, and will create 60 to 70 additional jobs at the new facility, says an official release. “cargo-partner has been operating in Slovakia for 30 years and is one of the most successful freight forwarding providers in the country. The company reported a turnover of nearly €140 million in 2022, and currently employs more than 200 logistics specialists across its branch offices in Bratislava, Dunajská Streda, Žilina, and Košice.” The iLogistics Centre in Dunajská Streda has been in operation since 2012, gradually expanding to meet growing customer demand for logistics solutions, the release added. “The previous expansion in 2020 increased the warehouse capacity to 18,200 m². The construction of the third hall marks the fourth and final phase of the project, bringing the storage capacity of the logistics complex to 34,300 m² on a site of 60,000 m².” The warehouse’s strategic location and direct connection to the Metrans intermodal terminal allow cargo-partner to reduce handling time by one to two days, resulting in significant ecological and economic advantages, the release said.

WestJet Cargo announced a new agreement with Flexport, the global leader in supply chain technology, to offer new airfreight solutions for Canadian exports into Asia. Under the unique agreement, WestJet Cargo will deliver Canadian cargo to O’Hare International Airport (ORD), where Flexport operates dedicated freighters from the U.S. to key air freight hubs in Asia, including Incheon International Airport (ICN), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), effectively expanding the global reach for WestJet Cargo and their customers. Given the surge in demand for Canadian products in key Asian markets, particularly perishables like seafood, WestJet Cargo and Flexport’s comprehensive solution meets the needs of customers in Halifax and the surrounding regions at a pivotal time. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with WestJet Cargo to provide a creative, dependable air freight solution for Canadian exporters looking for greater access to Asian markets,” said Neel Jones Shah, EVP of Global Key Accounts and Chief Customer Officer. “Our collaboration with WestJet Cargo is the latest example in Flexport’s mission to make global commerce so easy there’ll be more of it; by creating a fast lane for Canadian exporters to move their goods, we can break down global trade barriers and boost export volumes for these producers.” “This partnership with Flexport opens new doors for WestJet Cargo, and reinforces our commitment to our customers and Canadian economic growth. Together, we offer cutting-edge logistics solutions to meet the growing demand from Canadian exporters to Asia, particularly with regards to our valuable perishable cargo. Using ORD as a connection point, we are seamlessly able to transfer cargo within a matter of hours, further ensuring the freshness and integrity of key Canadian perishable exports,” …

Cathay Cargo joined hands with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) for the first time to offer ONE Record data protocols for intermodal sea-to-air shipments accepted at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Logistics Park in Dongguan for export from Hong Kong. IATA’s ONE Record initiative implements end-to-end transparency for consignments and logging progress as they pass through multiple links in the supply chain. Tom Owen, Director, Cathay Cargo, said, “This pilot also showed ONE Record’s flexibility, and being able to accept cargo from an upstream cargo terminal and then log its transit by boat was a world first. It also shows ONE Record’s value in enabling services such as Ultra Track and other use cases that we are continuing to explore.