‘Steel, cement & auto contribute to hiked bulk & containerised cargo volumes’

Vandana Singh, Chairwoman, FAII said, “The rise in industrial activity, led by sectors like steel, cement and automotive has contributed significantly to bulk and containerised cargo volumes. The ‘Make in India’ initiative and PLI schemes have further boosted freight demand across corridors. With a push towards doubling farmers’ income, agricultural exports — especially perishables — are growing. This is driving investment in cold chain infrastructure and refrigerated logistics for both domestic distribution and overseas shipping. The boom in e-commerce is shaping the demand for air cargo, first-mile and last-mile logistics and high-speed parcel movement, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities. India’s role as a global pharma hub has led to a significant increase in export cargo, necessitating temperature-controlled logistics and faster customs clearances through dedicated air cargo terminals. As a traditional export strength, the textile sector continues to drive outbound cargo to global fashion markets, particularly in Europe and the US.  Domestic cargo volumes are also growing due to increased movement of coal, petroleum and other minerals through coastal shipping and rail networks. Together, these sectors are not only accelerating the demand for multimodal infrastructure but are also encouraging private participation and innovation in India’s logistics landscape. As connectivity improves under Gati Shakti, the cargo sector is set to become a key pillar of India’s economic growth and global trade competitiveness.”