Category Archives: Supply Chain

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), one of the premier container handling ports, recorded 433,533 TEUs in July 2021 compared to 344,316 TEUs in July 2020, a growth of 21.15% as compared to the same period last year. The container traffic handled at JNPT during the first 4 months of FY 2021-22 was 1,797,838 TEUs as against 1,192,165 TEUs, which is 50.80% higher than the container traffic over the same period of last year. In terms of rail operations, JNPT handled 77,662 TEUS of ICD traffic from 503 rakes in July 2021, and the Rail-Coefficient was 17.91%. To enhance the model shift from road to rail, JNPT is undertaking a host of initiatives like the commencement of rail service between JNPT and Balli (in South Goa) on the Konkan Railway, and other initiatives like ITRHO has helped to maximize train placement, track productivity, efficiency, cost-effective handling, reduce dwell time of import ICD boxes, connecting export ICD boxes to respective terminals in time and also increase rail quotient at JNPT.

PHDCCI organized the 3rd Edition Virtual Supply Chain Excon: Future of Global Supply Chain and Logistics on 22 and 23rd July 2021. The two days ExCon witnessed exhibition and four technical sessions on different subjects: The Chief Guest for technical session on Revolutionize Urban Logistics was Vikas Chaube, JS, Logistics, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The eminent speakers were Shashvat Somany, Chairman, Retail Committee, Dr. John Gattorna – CEO, Gattorna Alignments, Adil Zobair, Vice President, Sedres Shipping, Virendra Sharma, AVP – Supply Chain, Jockey India, Arvind Kalra – Supply Chain Professional, Virendra Sharma, AVP – Supply Chain, Jockey India and Dr. Rakesh Paras Singh, Chairman, ISCM

Reacting to the trade data for July 2021-22, Dr A Sakthivel, President, FIEO said that the sustained growth in exports of about 48 percent with USD 35.17 billion over FY’ 2020-21 and by 34 percent over FY’ 2019-20 yet again demonstrated the strength and resilience of the exports sector. This is the highest-ever exports recorded at least in the previous 9 years as per the data readily available with FIEO. It also is a sign that global trade is recovering fast, added Dr Sakthivel. FIEO Chief reiterated that the global demand during this period has also remained buoyant as the order booking positions of the exporters have still been impressive. Dr Sakthivel complimented the government under the able and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also the Union Finance Minister, Union Commerce & Textiles Minister for showing confidence and trust on the exporters during these difficult times, who have not only continuously performed impressively but have also been able to showcase that the government’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat has given a boost to the sector.

Following a seven-month blockade by protestors agitating over the controversial farm Bills passed by the government, Adani Logistics Ltd has now decided to shut all operations at its rail-linked inland container depot (ICD) at Kilaraipur in Ludhiana. Since January, the protestors have blocked the main gate of the ICD by placing a tractor trolley to obstruct the movement of goods and personnel, thereby halting entire operations at the facility. The multi-modal logistics park at Kilaraipur, spread over 80 acres, was opened in 2017 to cater to the industries in and around Ludhiana, offering services for the import and export of cargo by rail and road. “As the state administration was not able to remove the blockade and allow the ICD to continue operations, the Adani Group has decided to close the business operation at ICD Kilaraipur as it cannot sustain losses and continue to pay wages to employees any longer,” said a source in the know of the development.

Leading logistics and supply chain company Jeena & Co. and German-based Hermes World have come together in a strategic and exclusive partnership, where Hermes will represent Jeena in Germany and Jeena will represent Hermes in India. Jeena has been handling the Otto business for over three decades and this association is now one step further in forging the relation spread across Sea and Air freight. Speaking on this partnership, Stephan Schiller – CEO, Hermes International said, “Jeena and the Otto Group have already been working together for more than 30 years. It therefore made sense to deepen this cooperation when setting up the Sea and Air business segment (now Supply Chain Solutions) at Hermes. Working with a local expert like Jeena gives us and our customers an advantage in the Indian market. Despite its considerable size, Jeena is a family-run company with fast decision-making processes, a sustainable strategy, and great personal relationships at all levels – everyone benefits from this corporate culture”.

Nebiar Technologies and Solutions Pvt Ltd.,launches a digital platform made specifically for Customs Brokers and Forwarders. The platform is called Transpost, which is designed to function as an operating system for its customers. It will act as a bridge between a fragmented segment of the market and shipping Lines. This makes its value proposition very strong and innovative. The platform will host several products and features which enable customers to ship cargo by sea with minimum effort and cost. The platform simplifies complexities of the shipping process and promotes efficiency for accelerating growth and revenue for the shipping lines and its customers. Promoted by Industry specialists and funded by Seven Island Logistics Pvt Ltd with majority stake in the company, brings the best of experience and innovation to the market.

Shyplite, a 4PL AI-powered logistics platform that enables businesses to automate their logistics and increase shipping efficiency by providing a single-window platform integrated with multiple carriers, has launched Shypmax which is India’s first and only Cross border LPaaS (Logistics Platform as a service) which also has asset light carrier capabilities and an Asset Light Supply Chain Solution, backed by a contemporary product and stellar service. Shypmax is now live for deliveries to 40 + countries and will be covering delivery to 220 Countries progressively with over 70 Carrier and network partnerships in place globally. Shypmax is also one of the first IOSS ready service in India, with focus on compliance for new regulations in the European Union (EU).

Stellar Value Chain Solutions, one of the largest tech-driven consumer supply chain companies in India, will invest Rs.200 crore to boost its e-grocery supply chain offerings in FY21-22. The investment will help the company to set up 25 fulfilment and sort centres across the country in the current financial year to strengthen its e-commerce supply chain network. Apart from setting up fulfilment and sort centres, Stellar Value Chain Solutions will invest in technology integration as well to enhance operational efficiency. The company will also infuse money into rolling out a fleet of electric vehicles (EV) to develop an EV-based transportation network to facilitate the e-grocery delivery. Anshuman Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Stellar Value Chain Solutions Pvt. Ltd. said, “Changed buying pattern of consumers and a sense of convenience has made e-grocery one of the attractive and highly competitive e-commerce segments. Our enhanced e-grocery supply chain will help companies develop a strong delivery backbone.”

Pluss Advanced Technologies (PLUSS) will supply its Celsure® COVID SURAKSHA box to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, for optimal temperature-controlled transport and storage for the Sputnik V vaccine, in India. PLUSS’ patented Celsure® box with “Phase Change Material (PCM)” technology will control and maintain the temperature, currently -18 degree centigrade (-18C), required to ensure the efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine. The partnership entails turn key engagement with PLUSS for Celsure® packaging. In this effort, PLUSS provides pre-conditioned Celsure® box right at Dr. Reddy’s warehouse to be readily used for Sputnik V packing. A separate specialized conditioning centre has been set up locally in Hyderabad with a fleet of “Rapid PCM Recharging Stations” and mechanisms built for “Track and Trace”. This model meets highest standard of cold-chain supply management and is highly scalable to meet country’s demand of vaccine doses in a short period of time. The Celsure® COVID SURAKSHA box can maintain inside-temperature passively, without electricity, at desired levels for more than 100 hours and serve as an energy efficient and safer alternative to refrigerated containers, conventional ice-packs or even dry ice, which are considered hazardous, unsustainable and unsafe for carrying in airlines.

Supply chain firm Geodis is set to expand its presence in the pharma market with the acquisition of temperature-controlled logistics business Gandon Transports. Geodis said Gandon Transports, which specialises in the transport of pharma products at controlled temperatures of 2°C to 8°C and 15°C to 25°C, has an extensive network of warehouse and trucking services that will strengthen its capacity to distribute to pharmacies, hospitals and wholesalers throughout France. Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive at Geodis, committed: “This acquisition will consolidate Geodis’ status as a key player in the healthcare market. From inventory planning to temperature-controlled storage and transport to the final recipient, we want to offer our customers a complete and reliable solution throughout the supply chain.”