A major trend in the Indian logistics and supply chain sector is the strong impetus and focus on developing infrastructure for transport, so much so that it can offer valuable and customised support to key industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles and other manufacturing sectors earmarked by the government to drive the robust growth of the Indian economy. From being the backbone of a developing economy, the logistics and supply chain sector is now a frontrunner and major driver of not just national and international trade but also the lifeline of smaller business, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Upamanyu Borah
The focus of the Indian government over the past few years has been on accelerated growth through improved bilateral trade and foreign investment policies. India has garnered tremendous goodwill and become a global brand for trade development, thanks to the proactive government initiatives.
As per research reports, the estimated size of the Indian logistics market is pegged at US$215 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 10.5% and only 10-15 per cent of the overall market is owned by organised players. Out of the aforesaid amount, the online vertical is estimated between US$20 and US$30 billion by 2025.
The growth in the sector is mostly being driven by the rise of international business in India which is itself the result of the improved bilateral trade.
With the government striking trade deals with countries like the US, Australia, Japan and top European nations, there's little doubt that the Indian logistics and supply chain management sector is on the path of becoming one of the most sought after sectors in the Indian economy.
As per a recent report by Arthur D Little India in collaboration with the CII, India’s Logistics and supply chain costs currently amount to a staggering US$400 billion, up to 14% of the GDP, compared to the global average of 8%, raising a competitiveness gap of approximately US$180 billion.
“Logistics will witness an uptick post-COVID as the focus will progressively be on the entire supply chain of doorstep delivery. This means specific thrust on warehousing and packing/packaging to enable the smooth flow of goods. Warehousing will see a thrust mainly due to the higher farm produce to the market. The development of eNAM bodes well for building more warehousing space as farmers move to the market,” Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at CARE Ratings had previously revealed.
“Growth in this industry is dependent on several factors. Firstly, higher growth in GDP which goes with a recovery entails higher movement of goods across the country. Secondly, warehousing today is an integral part of the e-commerce industry which is booming. Furthermore, the growth of the food processing industry in particular will lead to growth in private demand for warehousing space. Above all, growing exports will increase demand for efficient logistics services to cut costs and become more competitive,” Sabnavis further added.
“As we celebrated 75 years of India’s independence, the announcement by the honourable PM about investing Rs 100 cr for the ‘Gati Shakti’ master plan to accelerate development of transportation and logistics infrastructure in the country, that in turn is set to help faster ‘reach to market’ for Indian manufacturing sector that is gearing up to expand, thanks to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative,” said Hector Patel, Executive Director and Board Member, Jeena & Company.
“In addition to this, the National Logistics Policy introduced by the government is further designed to promote seamless movement of goods through focus on digitisation, process re-engineering, multimodal transport, EXIM trade, etc. which will further provide an impetus to trade and enhance the Logistics Performance Index for the country.”
Patel said that in the backdrop of the global pandemic, the Indian logistics, and supply chain sector evolved from being a support sector to a high impact sector, growing at a rate of 10.7% CAGR. “While the pandemic and the massive vaccination drive have already led the sector to evolve rapidly so as to meet the numerous challenges, it is now ready to take a giant leap in the coming years.”
Manufacturing in India holds the potential to contribute up to 25% to 30% of the GDP by 2025 which will drive the growth of the warehousing segment in India. The logistics market in India is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2019 and 2025. E-commerce is another major segment which is expected to support growth of the logistics industry during the forecast period. Increasing investments and trade point towards a healthy outlook for the Indian freight sector. Port capacity is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% to 6% by 2022, thereby, adding a capacity of 275 to 325 million tonnes. Indian Railways aims to increase its freight traffic from 1.1 billion tonnes in 2017 to 3.3 billion tonnes in 2030. Freight traffic on airports in India has the potential to reach 17 million tonnes by FY 2040.
Practically, the factors that have contributed towards India leveraging its growth potential to achieve fruitful bilateral trade, increasing its global footprint, and thrive for an efficient logistics sector to achieve its growth target are as below:
Unlocking export opportunities
As numerous industries enter and set their manufacturing plants in India, it is a noteworthy fact that Indians no longer have to go out of their way and increase any existing trade deficit. India's overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-August 2021* are estimated to be US$256.17 billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 44.04 per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 15.79 per cent over April-August 2019.
Stronger open trade policies
India is now one of the most powerful players in the global economic landscape with the logistics and supply chain sector as its backbone. The improved bilateral trade and the opened gateway to the Indian economy through globalisation and liberalisation is providing all the needed opportunities. New and improved trade policies have also helped achieve bilateral trade and increase international business. Foreign trade policies such as the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) have positively complemented the logistics and supply chain management and enhanced the manufacturing sector in India. Extra efforts for improved bilateral trade by the Indian government have also resulted in lower tariffs and taxes by different countries.
Growth and innovation of infrastructure
With a major thrust on strengthening the Indian logistic ecosystem, new and improved logistics hubs and warehouses are planned, strategically around important ports. Logistic parks and specialized spaces for warehouses, is proving extremely helpful. According to a report by the National Transport Development Policy Committee., India’s cargo traffic handled by ports is expected to reach 1,695 million metric tonnes by FY2021-22. Additionally, if Drones Policy 2.0 draft is implemented, India will witness droneports and dedicated drone corridors in upcoming times.
New-age technologies steering growth
New age technology has revolutionised the logistics sector by being a key differentiator. The immediate future is all about leveraging the power of AI, IoT, AR and VR to revolutionise supply chain logistics. Another emerging technology which is poised to create a profound impact is Blockchain. Driverless vehicles, wearable devices, warehouse automation is helping achieve operational efficiencies to counter supply chain cost pressures in the industry. According to IDG’s 2021 State of Digital Business Transformation report, improving customer experience and engagement continues to be the top goal fueling digital transformation. Organisations are also increasing their focus on speed-to-market and innovation.
Futuristic Green Logistics initiatives
With India targeting Net Zero emissions across sectors, logistics companies are already on the road to reduce their carbon footprint and at the same time grow rapidly. India is introducing GPS-enabled toll payments to ensure zero wastage of fuel and resultant emissions across hundreds of Toll Plazas. E-commerce companies have committed to delivering 30 per cent of shipments using Electric Vehicles. Modern warehouses and logistics parks are built with solar rooftops and sell carbon-free electricity rather than consuming it. With the integration of timers, thermostats, and gauges for all forms of electricity, gas, heat, and water, energy management systems are being put to use to derive the best practices to use what is needed without excessive waste.
“Sustainability within logistics is expected to be taken up on a larger scale, with digitalisation and automation being prime movers of such operations. Ports and terminals are some of the largest nucleated sources of carbon emission within the logistics ecosystem. The situation is worsened as major ports often find themselves close to densely populated cities, strengthening their need to oversee ‘greener’ operations next year. This could be done by general electrification of terminal cargo handling equipment like cranes and forklifts,” informed Huseni Vohra, Regional Sales Director, Ocean Insights.
“Overall, 2021 would define how global economies break free from the pandemic’s shackles. As the proverbial ‘mid-mile’ of supply chains, the industry will have to rise to the occasion. In many ways, the pandemic served as a wake-up call to logistics, hastening the adoption of technology in an industry mired in archaic operations. Visibility would be a defining theme, with stakeholders across the value chain leading concerted efforts to effect change and eliminate opacity-related inefficiencies. The interest in data intelligence has fostered supply chain connectivity, with several consortiums created within maritime networks—notably bound by Blockchain technology.”
2021 and beyond….
Change is in the air and India’s logistics industry is becoming organised and technology-driven. Currently, India’s logistics sector is valued at US$160 billion and employs over 22 million people directly. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10 per cent to US$215 billion by 2022.
India is also in the middle of an infrastructure building boom. The government’s National Highways Development Project aims to expand the country’s current expressway network of 2000 km and plans to add 18,637 km of Greenfield expressways by 2022. The Bharatmala Project is aiming to construct 83,677 km of highways by 2024.
But it is the ‘Digital Transformation’ that is silently underway and will re-define Indian logistics over the next decade. There is now an entire generation of start-ups focussing on solving India-specific logistics issues deploying state-of-the-art technology.
Notably, the falling cost of technology inclusion, such as cloud computing, GPS trackers, IoT sensors now enables even smaller logistics companies to modernise their systems. Even a newly started logistics company can avail itself of world-class technology at a very low monthly cost.
Logistics companies can easily integrate their systems with larger logistics companies or their customers to offer real-time visibility of inventory and shipments. This democratisation of technology of a large swathe of the logistics sector has the potential to leapfrog India’s logistics ahead of many peer economies and even developed economies.
Also, the government has pushed digitisation in a major way through initiatives such as E-Way bills, FASTag, E-Invoicing, GPS-based toll, etc.
“As per The India Transport Management System Market Report 2021, transport management system (TMS) market in India is estimated to register double-digit CAGR from 2019 to 2028. One of the factors that is accelerating this change is evolving consumer preferences and online shopping. It is quite possible that these habits are likely to stay in the post-COVID world as well, which means that the logistics and supply chain industry of the future will need to focus on optimisation of technology and automation for safe and efficient movement of goods. This also means that the supply chain of tomorrow will be leaner, faster and most importantly, self-orchestrated,” explained Sukrit Sondhi, VP of Product Engineering at Fulcrum Digital.
Digital twins, Sondhi says, are possibly one of the most exciting logistics technology trends to keep an eye on in 2021. “This is drastically changing how the sector works: Now, physical and digital worlds can be melded into one, thus allowing, for the first time, to engage with the digital model of a physical object or part just like we would with their physical counterparts.”
With above, the National Logistics Policy that is expected soon to be released by the Government of India aims to promote seamless movement of goods across the country. It will focus on several areas such as process re-engineering, digitisation, focus on multimodal transport, EXIM trade, etc. and will look at improving logistics in core sectors. It will address many issues in a seamless manner. Effective implementation of the policy would help provide an impetus to trade, enhance export competitiveness, and improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index.
With opportunities galore and a business environment filled with hope, there’s no looking back for our country and the Logistics sector in 2021!
A major trend in the Indian logistics and supply chain sector is the strong impetus and focus on developing infrastructure for transport, so much so that it can offer valuable and customised support to key industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles and other manufacturing sectors earmarked by the government to drive the robust growth of the Indian economy. From being the backbone of a developing economy, the logistics and supply chain sector is now a frontrunner and major driver of not just national and international trade but also the lifeline of smaller business, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Upamanyu Borah
The focus of the Indian government over the past few years has been on accelerated growth through improved bilateral trade and foreign investment policies. India has garnered tremendous goodwill and become a global brand for trade development, thanks to the proactive government initiatives.
As per research reports, the estimated size of the Indian logistics market is pegged at US$215 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 10.5% and only 10-15 per cent of the overall market is owned by organised players. Out of the aforesaid amount, the online vertical is estimated between US$20 and US$30 billion by 2025.
The growth in the sector is mostly being driven by the rise of international business in India which is itself the result of the improved bilateral trade.
With the government striking trade deals with countries like the US, Australia, Japan and top European nations, there's little doubt that the Indian logistics and supply chain management sector is on the path of becoming one of the most sought after sectors in the Indian economy.
As per a recent report by Arthur D Little India in collaboration with the CII, India’s Logistics and supply chain costs currently amount to a staggering US$400 billion, up to 14% of the GDP, compared to the global average of 8%, raising a competitiveness gap of approximately US$180 billion.
“Logistics will witness an uptick post-COVID as the focus will progressively be on the entire supply chain of doorstep delivery. This means specific thrust on warehousing and packing/packaging to enable the smooth flow of goods. Warehousing will see a thrust mainly due to the higher farm produce to the market. The development of eNAM bodes well for building more warehousing space as farmers move to the market,” Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at CARE Ratings had previously revealed.
“Growth in this industry is dependent on several factors. Firstly, higher growth in GDP which goes with a recovery entails higher movement of goods across the country. Secondly, warehousing today is an integral part of the e-commerce industry which is booming. Furthermore, the growth of the food processing industry in particular will lead to growth in private demand for warehousing space. Above all, growing exports will increase demand for efficient logistics services to cut costs and become more competitive,” Sabnavis further added.
“As we celebrated 75 years of India’s independence, the announcement by the honourable PM about investing Rs 100 cr for the ‘Gati Shakti’ master plan to accelerate development of transportation and logistics infrastructure in the country, that in turn is set to help faster ‘reach to market’ for Indian manufacturing sector that is gearing up to expand, thanks to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative,” said Hector Patel, Executive Director and Board Member, Jeena & Company.
“In addition to this, the National Logistics Policy introduced by the government is further designed to promote seamless movement of goods through focus on digitisation, process re-engineering, multimodal transport, EXIM trade, etc. which will further provide an impetus to trade and enhance the Logistics Performance Index for the country.”
Patel said that in the backdrop of the global pandemic, the Indian logistics, and supply chain sector evolved from being a support sector to a high impact sector, growing at a rate of 10.7% CAGR. “While the pandemic and the massive vaccination drive have already led the sector to evolve rapidly so as to meet the numerous challenges, it is now ready to take a giant leap in the coming years.”
Manufacturing in India holds the potential to contribute up to 25% to 30% of the GDP by 2025 which will drive the growth of the warehousing segment in India. The logistics market in India is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2019 and 2025. E-commerce is another major segment which is expected to support growth of the logistics industry during the forecast period. Increasing investments and trade point towards a healthy outlook for the Indian freight sector. Port capacity is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% to 6% by 2022, thereby, adding a capacity of 275 to 325 million tonnes. Indian Railways aims to increase its freight traffic from 1.1 billion tonnes in 2017 to 3.3 billion tonnes in 2030. Freight traffic on airports in India has the potential to reach 17 million tonnes by FY 2040.
Practically, the factors that have contributed towards India leveraging its growth potential to achieve fruitful bilateral trade, increasing its global footprint, and thrive for an efficient logistics sector to achieve its growth target are as below:
Unlocking export opportunities
As numerous industries enter and set their manufacturing plants in India, it is a noteworthy fact that Indians no longer have to go out of their way and increase any existing trade deficit. India's overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-August 2021* are estimated to be US$256.17 billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 44.04 per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 15.79 per cent over April-August 2019.
Stronger open trade policies
India is now one of the most powerful players in the global economic landscape with the logistics and supply chain sector as its backbone. The improved bilateral trade and the opened gateway to the Indian economy through globalisation and liberalisation is providing all the needed opportunities. New and improved trade policies have also helped achieve bilateral trade and increase international business. Foreign trade policies such as the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) have positively complemented the logistics and supply chain management and enhanced the manufacturing sector in India. Extra efforts for improved bilateral trade by the Indian government have also resulted in lower tariffs and taxes by different countries.
Growth and innovation of infrastructure
With a major thrust on strengthening the Indian logistic ecosystem, new and improved logistics hubs and warehouses are planned, strategically around important ports. Logistic parks and specialized spaces for warehouses, is proving extremely helpful. According to a report by the National Transport Development Policy Committee., India’s cargo traffic handled by ports is expected to reach 1,695 million metric tonnes by FY2021-22. Additionally, if Drones Policy 2.0 draft is implemented, India will witness droneports and dedicated drone corridors in upcoming times.
New-age technologies steering growth
New age technology has revolutionised the logistics sector by being a key differentiator. The immediate future is all about leveraging the power of AI, IoT, AR and VR to revolutionise supply chain logistics. Another emerging technology which is poised to create a profound impact is Blockchain. Driverless vehicles, wearable devices, warehouse automation is helping achieve operational efficiencies to counter supply chain cost pressures in the industry. According to IDG’s 2021 State of Digital Business Transformation report, improving customer experience and engagement continues to be the top goal fueling digital transformation. Organisations are also increasing their focus on speed-to-market and innovation.
Futuristic Green Logistics initiatives
With India targeting Net Zero emissions across sectors, logistics companies are already on the road to reduce their carbon footprint and at the same time grow rapidly. India is introducing GPS-enabled toll payments to ensure zero wastage of fuel and resultant emissions across hundreds of Toll Plazas. E-commerce companies have committed to delivering 30 per cent of shipments using Electric Vehicles. Modern warehouses and logistics parks are built with solar rooftops and sell carbon-free electricity rather than consuming it. With the integration of timers, thermostats, and gauges for all forms of electricity, gas, heat, and water, energy management systems are being put to use to derive the best practices to use what is needed without excessive waste.
“Sustainability within logistics is expected to be taken up on a larger scale, with digitalisation and automation being prime movers of such operations. Ports and terminals are some of the largest nucleated sources of carbon emission within the logistics ecosystem. The situation is worsened as major ports often find themselves close to densely populated cities, strengthening their need to oversee ‘greener’ operations next year. This could be done by general electrification of terminal cargo handling equipment like cranes and forklifts,” informed Huseni Vohra, Regional Sales Director, Ocean Insights.
“Overall, 2021 would define how global economies break free from the pandemic’s shackles. As the proverbial ‘mid-mile’ of supply chains, the industry will have to rise to the occasion. In many ways, the pandemic served as a wake-up call to logistics, hastening the adoption of technology in an industry mired in archaic operations. Visibility would be a defining theme, with stakeholders across the value chain leading concerted efforts to effect change and eliminate opacity-related inefficiencies. The interest in data intelligence has fostered supply chain connectivity, with several consortiums created within maritime networks—notably bound by Blockchain technology.”
2021 and beyond….
Change is in the air and India’s logistics industry is becoming organised and technology-driven. Currently, India’s logistics sector is valued at US$160 billion and employs over 22 million people directly. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10 per cent to US$215 billion by 2022.
India is also in the middle of an infrastructure building boom. The government’s National Highways Development Project aims to expand the country’s current expressway network of 2000 km and plans to add 18,637 km of Greenfield expressways by 2022. The Bharatmala Project is aiming to construct 83,677 km of highways by 2024.
But it is the ‘Digital Transformation’ that is silently underway and will re-define Indian logistics over the next decade. There is now an entire generation of start-ups focussing on solving India-specific logistics issues deploying state-of-the-art technology.
Notably, the falling cost of technology inclusion, such as cloud computing, GPS trackers, IoT sensors now enables even smaller logistics companies to modernise their systems. Even a newly started logistics company can avail itself of world-class technology at a very low monthly cost.
Logistics companies can easily integrate their systems with larger logistics companies or their customers to offer real-time visibility of inventory and shipments. This democratisation of technology of a large swathe of the logistics sector has the potential to leapfrog India’s logistics ahead of many peer economies and even developed economies.
Also, the government has pushed digitisation in a major way through initiatives such as E-Way bills, FASTag, E-Invoicing, GPS-based toll, etc.
“As per The India Transport Management System Market Report 2021, transport management system (TMS) market in India is estimated to register double-digit CAGR from 2019 to 2028. One of the factors that is accelerating this change is evolving consumer preferences and online shopping. It is quite possible that these habits are likely to stay in the post-COVID world as well, which means that the logistics and supply chain industry of the future will need to focus on optimisation of technology and automation for safe and efficient movement of goods. This also means that the supply chain of tomorrow will be leaner, faster and most importantly, self-orchestrated,” explained Sukrit Sondhi, VP of Product Engineering at Fulcrum Digital.
Digital twins, Sondhi says, are possibly one of the most exciting logistics technology trends to keep an eye on in 2021. “This is drastically changing how the sector works: Now, physical and digital worlds can be melded into one, thus allowing, for the first time, to engage with the digital model of a physical object or part just like we would with their physical counterparts.”
With above, the National Logistics Policy that is expected soon to be released by the Government of India aims to promote seamless movement of goods across the country. It will focus on several areas such as process re-engineering, digitisation, focus on multimodal transport, EXIM trade, etc. and will look at improving logistics in core sectors. It will address many issues in a seamless manner. Effective implementation of the policy would help provide an impetus to trade, enhance export competitiveness, and improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index.
With opportunities galore and a business environment filled with hope, there’s no looking back for our country and the Logistics sector in 2021!
Singapore Changi Airport experienced a significant boost in air cargo volumes for the second quarter of 2024, handling 485,000 tonnes of airfreight from April to June. This represents a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. The growth is attributed to robust shipment flows between Singapore and major markets including the US and China. Changi Airport Group highlighted that the increase was seen across all cargo categories—exports, imports, and transhipments. The airport’s top five air cargo markets for the period were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, and the United States. In the year-to-date, Changi Airport has processed a total of 960,000 tonnes of airfreight. The first quarter of 2024 also saw strong performance, with 475,000 tonnes handled, driven by high transhipment activity, particularly with China. Key sectors contributing to the cargo throughput include pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and advanced materials like semiconductors. Notable airlines operating cargo flights at Changi include Spice Express, Tasman Cargo Airlines, Atlas Air, DHL Express, and Singapore Airlines, which collaborate on cargo operations. As of July 1, Changi Airport boasts 94 airlines operating over 6,900 weekly scheduled flights, linking Singapore to 158 cities across 50 countries and territories globally. This extensive network supports Changi’s role as a major international cargo hub. The airport’s continued growth in air cargo volumes underscores its importance as a critical logistics and transportation hub in the global supply chain.
AP Moller – Maersk is strengthening its operations in Bangladesh, where it has been serving the country and its exporters connect to the global market for almost three decades. Bangladesh has been one of the most important sourcing markets for the garments and apparel industry worldwide. The garment manufacturers exporting to global markets have significantly contributed towards building the country’s economy. Despite the impressive growth of garments exports from Bangladesh, the number of warehouses in Chattogram have not increased since 2012, with the sole exception of ISATL that became operational in 2018. Optimising utilisation of available capacity assisted to an extent, however it did not scale enough to meet the trade’s requirements. The logistics ecosystem and the Chittagong Port get stretched, particularly during the peak seasons. In 2021, a fallout of this structural challenge was felt by all the stakeholders involved in EXIM trade when the Container Freight Stations (CFSs) got clogged with cargo resulting in delayed clearance, stuffing and consequently dispatch of containers to the port. Delay in offloading cargo also led to longer truck waiting time, and delay in dispatch of containers to the port, consequently resulting in lack of overall productivity. These challenges have serious consequences on the overall economy of the country given the fact that the Chittagong Port handles in excess of 90 per cent of the total containerised trade to and from Bangladesh. Recognising these challenges, Maersk Bangladesh has partnered with Ispahani Summit Alliance Terminal Limited (ISATL) to build a 200,000 sq ft custom bonded warehouse. ISATL are pioneers in constructing and operating warehouses and CFS and operate four CFS within Chattogram and the River Terminal at Dhaka. Under the scope of this partnership, ISATL will construct a brand new custom bonded warehouse within the existing premises of the facility located at Pathortoli in Chattogram. The new warehouse will double the existing capacity at ISATL and add around 8 per cent additional space to the existing ecosystem at Chattogram. The construction of the new CFS has already commenced and is expected to be completed in a phased manner by the end of 2022. Bangladesh’s exporters and their overseas buyers will be able to start using the facility from July 2022, once the first phase of construction is completed. “Maersk’s commitment to connect and simplify our customers’ supply chains means that we look at long term solutions for problems such as the longstanding congestion within the ecosystem. We tackled the situation in 2021 by deploying an additional vessel for evacuating export loaded containers,” said Angshuman Mustafi, Managing Director, Maersk Bangladesh. “The solutions provided immediate relief to the ecosystem, but there was a need for a comprehensive solution to optimise ocean shipping, port handling and inland logistics that would benefit trade in the long term. By partnering with ISALT, we are establishing a facility that has the potential to partially decongest the system from the landside and streamline the flow of cargo in and out of Bangladesh.” Apart from adding capacity, the facility will offer several other benefits to Bangladesh’s exports. Amongst others, the new facility is being built by benchmarking international best practices when it comes to safety and other compliance guidelines. It will be modern multi-storeyed facility in Chattogram which will have storage at G+2 levels, thus making optimal use of available space to maximise the capacity. There will be an option to offer pallets for all operations, thereby improving the overall operational efficiency. Maersk will also offer customers Garment on Hanger facility, sorting, product audit, labelling, bar code and RFID scanning amongst others. “We are proud to partner with Maersk on this exciting long term project where ISATL’s extensive local experience combined with Maersk’s international best practices will allow us to create a truly world-class facility that will help raise the standards for the entire industry,” said Yasser Rizvi, Managing Director, ISATL.
Indian importers and exporters are grappling with significant cargo delays at Mundra Port, the country’s leading container trade hub. Local trade sources have voiced serious concerns about the worsening congestion at Mundra’s container terminals in recent weeks. "The terminals at Mundra now seem to be hugely congested, and the pendency has increased to levels affecting the normal movement of boxes between CFSs and terminals," stated the Container Freight Station Association Mundra in a complaint. The association added, "All the efforts put in by CFSs are not witnessing any improvement, but are rather finding that the situation is deteriorating further." A recent change in the process of issuing port entry permits for freight vehicles by the port authority has been identified as a major source of frustration. According to freight station owners, truckers are experiencing longer waits to move containers due to difficulties in securing entry permits promptly. "Vehicles are stranded on the road for hours together because of this. A corrective measure needs to be discussed with our members and worked out so as to ensure that movement continues without any hassles," explained the CFS association. The congestion has also frustrated container rail operators, as ICD (inland container depot) volumes constitute a significant portion of Mundra’s trade. The Association of Container Train Operators (ACTO) noted in a trade advisory, "There has been increased congestion at Mundra Port due to delays in effectively evacuating import containers in FIFO [first-in, first-out] sequence on time, despite trains being provided for clearance by container train operators [CTOs]." ACTO indicated that Indian Railways has restricted double-stack loading to expedite train evacuation from the port, resulting in additional ground rent charges for traders. Mundra, Adani Ports’ flagship entity, managed 7.4 million TEUs in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 15% increase over Nhava Sheva Port. With volumes rapidly expanding, the Adani Group is considering further investment to enhance capacity. "We continue to invest heavily in the business to drive growth, particularly in the logistics segment," stated Adani in a recent announcement.
Lufthansa Cargo has recently expanded its offerings, providing customers with new belly capacities on several attractive routes. Since the start of June, passengers and cargo alike can benefit from direct connections to various destinations, enhancing global connectivity and trade opportunities. Direct flights to North America, including routes from Frankfurt to Minneapolis (MSP) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) with Lufthansa Airlines, are now available for booking. Additionally, from the Lufthansa Cargo hub in Munich, new connections to Seattle (SEA) three times a week, and daily capacity to Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) are being offered. Austrian Airlines has also introduced a new route, connecting Vienna with Los Angeles (LAX). Discover Airlines has expanded its services from Frankfurt to Halifax (YHZ) and Anchorage (ANC), further widening the reach of cargo transportation. Moreover, Lufthansa Cargo has introduced freighter capacity to Dubai World Central (DWC), providing customers with additional options for handling larger cargo items or special freight. This new service complements the existing belly service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and offers enhanced flexibility and efficiency in cargo transportation. With a commitment to enhancing global connectivity and trade facilitation, Lufthansa Cargo continues to innovate and expand its service offerings. These new routes and increased capacities underscore Lufthansa Cargo's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its customers in a rapidly changing global market.
In a momentous event today, PM Modi inaugurated a 77-kilometer-long section of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), marking a significant milestone in India's ambitious infrastructure development efforts. The inauguration ceremony, held in the presence of key dignitaries and government officials, showcased the country's commitment to enhancing its transportation network. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a game-changing project that aims to revolutionize India's freight transportation sector. The newly inaugurated 77-kilometer section connects key industrial regions, providing a dedicated pathway for the efficient movement of goods. With this achievement, India takes a major step towards reducing logistics costs, boosting manufacturing, and improving the overall economy. PM Modi, while addressing the audience, emphasized the importance of this project in promoting economic growth, generating employment, and reducing the carbon footprint. He noted, "The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is a testament to India's vision for a modern and efficient transportation system. It will not only enhance our connectivity but also make us a global logistics hub." The event was attended by several Union Ministers and top officials from the Ministry of Railways, underscoring the government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in the country.
Trade shows are mission-critical, high-investment events where logistics execution directly influences marketing ROI. Exhibitors spend months preparing for a few days on the floor, since a single missed delivery window can jeopardise the entire programme. In this environment, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) trade show logistics is no longer just transportation; it is an orchestration of timing, compliance, risk control, and venue-specific expertise. While standard LTL carriers can handle general freight, elite trade show shippers excel because they are built for the ecosystem — understanding drayage, marshalling yards, target windows, live-loading rules, equipment constraints, and the high-value nature of exhibits. This updated guide unpacks the differentiators that set the best providers apart, enhanced with additional dimensions such as KPIs, risk mitigation frameworks, technology adoption, sustainability practices, and a practical vendor-evaluation checklist. The Key Differentiators of Elite Trade Show Shippers When shipping general freight, a standard LTL carrier may be sufficient. However, event logistics demand a higher level of specialised service. The top trade show shippers possess four key differentiators that distinguish them from the rest. Proactive and Specialised Support Trade shows operate on rigid move-in schedules tied to booth size, dock flow, and decorator rules. The strongest providers deploy dedicated trade show teams who can interpret show manuals, coordinate with decorators, and time deliveries to avoid re-handling fees. Best-in-class partners also: Pre-audit documentation and labels to avoid show-site rejections Manage drayage coordination to reduce dwell and material-handling charges Offer pre-receiving and staging at regional facilities for smoother Day-1 move-ins This advisory-driven model transforms logistics from a cost center into a risk-mitigation service. Flexible Coordination and Network Access Because no two events are alike, trade show logistics demand configurable access to LTL, FTL, hot-shot, air, and international capacity. Top providers match service levels, route constraints, and budget requirements by tapping into broad asset and partner networks. A sophisticated network allows for: Expedited or guaranteed-capacity moves for high-stakes shows Cost-effective options for booth materials that can stage early Lane-specific equipment (air-ride, liftgate, climate-controlled) This flexibility becomes essential during peak show seasons when capacity is tight and timelines narrow. Guaranteed Performance and Asset Protection Event deadlines are immovable. Leading providers commit to guaranteed on-time service, narrow ETA bands, and contingency planning across linehaul and last-mile execution. They also emphasise exhibit protection through: Air-ride suspension fleets Strapping, padding, and vibration-control practices Secure transport protocols for prototypes and LED/AV assets With show participation costs rising, damage and delay prevention become competitive differentiators. End-to-End Visibility and Services Real-time visibility is no longer optional. Tocay, exhibitors rely on it to make staffing, booth-build, and drayage decisions. The best LTL partners deliver: Live tracking from pickup to booth delivery API connectivity with exhibitor dashboards Pre-emptive exception alerts and delay recovery paths For international events, leading providers integrate customs documentation, Carnet handling, temporary import permits, and venue-specific rules, ensuring frictionless handoffs across borders. What Are the Best LTL Logistics Companies for Trade Shows? Several providers exemplify these differentiators. The following firms are selected based on their demonstrated strength in specialised show support, performance-oriented service design, event fluency, flexible coordination and comprehensive offerings that cover pre-show to teardown. 1. Green River Logistics Solutions A brokerage-led model with deep carrier reach, making it ideal for exhibitors with varied lane structures. Key strengths: Highly personalised coordination and single-point-of-contact support Flexible equipment sourcing — LTL, flatbed, refrigerated, heavy haul Real-time updates and precise timing for fragile builds 2. XPO Logistics A multinational leader with a controlled linehaul network and a dedicated Trade Show Desk. Key strengths: Tight schedule integrity Venue-specific coordination and dock navigation Strong performance management systems. 3. TWI Group A global exhibition logistics specialist excelling in international customs and venue compliance. Key strengths: ATA Carnet expertise and cross-border support On-site liaisons at major venues High-touch service model for global exhibitors 4. Averitt A time-definite, reliability-driven carrier focused on window compliance. Key strengths: Guaranteed performance Expertise with marshaling yards and dock appointments Rapid recovery for last-minute constraints 5. TTI Logistics A specialist for fragile and custom builds requiring maximum protection. Key strengths: Air-ride fleets and vibration-controlled handling Precision timing for target-move-ins Advanced security protocols Comparing the Top LTL Logistics Providers for Trade Shows These providers excel in different areas. This table offers a quick comparison of their key service features to help you align their strengths with your specific needs. New Strategic Enhancements Added for a Modern Exhibitor’s Playbook Technology Advancements Worth Evaluating AI-assisted ETA predictions Digital drayage coordination tools IoT-enabled condition monitoring for AV and prototype freight Automated warehouse cut-off compliance checks Risk-Mitigation Practices That Matter Pre-show risk audits Contingency rerouting plans Venue-specific compliance checklists High-value cargo insurance design Sustainability Expectations from Today’s Exhibitors Low-emission or EV linehaul and last-mile options Carbon-neutral freight programs Reusable or recyclable crating solutions Emissions dashboards linked to booth shipments Performance Metrics That Define Best-in-Class Providers On-time delivery to target windows Damage-free shipment percentage Visibility uptime SLA Drayage handoff accuracy Exception-resolution response time How to Vet Your Trade Show Logistics Partner Applying the key differentiators includes asking potential partners the right questions. When your program includes international stops, ask about their documentation process, how they manage Carnets and how visibility will work across handoffs. The following can further validate fit and execution discipline: What is your detailed experience with my venue and decorator? Can you guarantee delivery within target-window constraints? What risk-mitigation plan is activated if my freight misses staging cutoff? What specialised equipment will you use for fragile or custom exhibits? How do you integrate with drayage contractors and marshaling yards? Which visibility tools and tracking integrations are available? Can you manage international customs documentation end-to-end? What sustainability options can be applied to my show calendar? Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Exhibit A logistics provider is more than a freight handler; they are the enabler of your presence on the show floor. The right LTL partner combines timing discipline, technical fluency, equipment strength, and venue intelligence to protect your brand and maximise your event ROI. Elite trade show shippers don’t just move freight; they orchestrate flawless show execution.
The expansion of Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between India and the Gulf region. The enhanced infrastructure and capacity of the port are set to benefit businesses and industries on both sides, facilitating smoother trade and commerce. The expansion of Dammam Port opens up new opportunities for Indian businesses to engage in import and export activities with the Gulf nations. It also serves as a strategic gateway for goods traveling to and from India, further improving the logistics and transportation landscape for businesses. The project showcases the commitment of both India and Saudi Arabia to enhance economic ties and boost bilateral trade. The increased port capacity will help meet the growing demand for trade between the two regions, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both nations.
Air India is setting its sights on a promising future as the exclusive carrier for TATA's iPhone exports. This strategic partnership between the renowned Indian airline and the tech giant TATA promises to boost India's manufacturing and export capabilities. The collaboration will enable Air India to become the sole carrier for TATA's iPhone exports, facilitating the efficient transport of these popular devices to international markets. With a reputation for reliability and global reach, Air India is poised to play a crucial role in TATA's supply chain. The move not only strengthens the relationship between two major Indian companies but also underlines India's growing importance in the global technology and manufacturing sectors. Air India's role as the exclusive carrier for iPhone exports is expected to generate significant revenue for the airline and enhance India's position as a hub for high-tech exports.
