The COVID-19 crisis literally had an adverse effect on the global trade with the maritime industry facing the biggest setback in years. Though the industry is trying its best to adjust to the new normal by scaling up digitalisation efforts in business operations and adopting smart strategies to remain functional in this difficult hour, recovery seems questionable anytime before 2021.
Ritika Arora Bhola
The global maritime industry is sailing through turbulent waters since the last few months. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the maritime industry has been so hard that sea traders, globally, are not expecting recovery anytime soon that too after a sharp decline in import and export, reduced demand for containers, increased turnaround times at ports, unprecedented fall in crude oil prices, high costs, cargo rollover and blank sailings. However, amidst the pandemic’s deterring effects, the global shipping industry is trying its best to adjust to the new normal by standardising business processes and rolling out other innovative solutions to support the ecosystem.
The need for evolving freight technology and digitalisation has gained momentum since the lockdown was imposed with more and more freight movers agreeing to the importance of having robust IT infrastructure to ensure supply chain resiliency. The pandemic has actually accelerated technological innovation and increased investments into evolving tech platforms in conducting trade, as this is the only way possible for this labour-intensive industry to survive.
Foreword
Steve Felder, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia says, “Globally, in the second quarter of 2020 (April – June), we witnessed a drop in volumes of 16 per cent however it has started rebounding now. In India particularly, the volumes dropped in the second quarter by over 25 per cent as compared to the same period last year. Exports have since bounced back strongly, whilst imports remain subdued. The growth drivers for exports are the increased demand of commodities such as plastic, rubber and vegetables. Garments and apparels are also contributing greatly to the recovery with demand bouncing back after a big slump witnessed during the lockdowns around the world.”
Rajesh Ramchandani, Senior Director- Ocean - Indian subcontinent, DSV agrees that exports are at a high and at pre-pandemic levels with a strong demand and pipeline, but simultaneously accompanied by massive decline in imports which is creating a severe imbalance in equipment.
Consequence of this equipment imbalance, Ramchandani says is crimping ocean exports, sending freight rates up and specifically on 40 dry units. The situation further precipitates with shipping line mandating vessel blankings, slidings, cancellations and capacity network adjustments optimisation. Freight rates would continue to remain inflated, as trade anticipates an upward sloping curve.
The emerging trends, according to Ramchandani, that should influence trade flows as manufacturing shifts out of China would result to near shoring and dual sourcing. “Other key growth drivers that would continue to impact us would be prompt innovation to meet changing needs, digitisation bringing in efficiency and converting the same to gains and cost savings, and finally cash, which for the next couple of years would allow companies to leverage in a bigger way owing to market dynamics and customer behaviour, especially post-pandemic.”
“COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global trade flows at an unprecedented scale,” says Dr Abhijit Singh, Executive Director, Indian Ports Association (IPA). Citing some quick facts, Singh adds, “UNCTAD estimates global merchandise trade to drop by 20 per cent in 2020, and expects a contraction of 27 per cent in the second quarter. As a result, global ship calls have also dropped. As per UNCTAD data, for first half of 2020, global ship calls contracted by 8.7 per cent.”
Despite the drastic fall in demand, Singh says, effective capacity management by liner shipping companies has helped prevent the collapse of freight rates, including container freight rates which have remained relatively strong. “Compared to the 2008-2009 financial crisis, freight rates remained strong as carriers observed a strict capacity management approach.”
“The revision of capacity management plans and changes in shipping schedules are said to be a key feature of the adjustment measures introduced by shipping lines in the face of lower demand. The consolidation that was seen in the industry in the recent past has apparently worked for the carriers this time,” continues Singh.
According to C P Jayakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, Angré Port, “Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we foresee major changes in the maritime industry in the coming years. The industry will prioritise digital transformation to bring in efficiency and port optimisation. It will now take a focussed approach to digital technology, digital services, and remote operations.”
“The SOPs for manning vessels and equipment will be revisited to ensure the safety and security of the crew. The pandemic cover will gain importance as part of the crew’s health and life insurance. We expect to see a lot more transparency in the costs of operating vessels. This will help everyone in the industry to budget and control the cost,” adds Jayakrishnan.
“The current day scenario sees different challenges in terms of box shortages in certain regions, repositioning issues, ports such as Colombo affected by COVID-19 creating delays, high freight rates, and many more,” says Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping. “In the short-term, the freight rates are expected to remain healthy, however, in the long-term the rates would depend on the number of factors such as the rate of economic recovery, localisation of supply chains, trade protectionism and barriers, and growth in consumer demand,” points Gupta.
Key focus and priorities
Globally, estimated year-on-year growth of 17.6 per cent is expected for the logistics market at USD 3,215 billion post-COVID-19, and the major focus of this growth will remain on the continued supply of essential products and building supply chain stabilisation initiatives. However, the factors that may hinder the recovery can be an acute shortage of labour, availability of COVID-19 vaccine, and ensuring that the available workforce adheres to safety protocols amidst a global pandemic.
Gita Gopinath, Chief Economists, International Monetary Fund had said recently, “The recession this year will likely be more severe, and recovery in 2021 will be slower than we anticipated.” Focussing particularly on the maritime sector, she stated that, “The maritime industry will be severely impacted. Although, most of the countries are in recovery mode with international border restrictions being eased, the chances of normalcy being restored in early 2021 are quite unlikely.”
Ramchandani agrees, as he says, “Going by the post-pandemic developments, the uncertainty in the container business is there for certain and which obviously suggests that we may not necessarily face smooth supply chain operations in the near future. As economies change at the global platform, there would be re-allocation of resources, capacity and that would necessitate innovation and agility as key factors for logistics services providers to align to that demand. It would mean alternate supply chain options and expenses to sustain the same.”
Maritime players feel increased investments in digitisation and technology will give an added impetus towards building more robust and agile supply chains which can help achieve recovery.
Advanced technologies like robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, Blockchain, etc. will dominate the path to recovery.
According to maritime experts, while the bullwhip effect is going to govern the post-pandemic era of normalcy, businesses will have to resort to a collaborative approach towards the supply chain where visibility-data integration and standardisation will play an important role.
Also, with advanced ‘Track and Trace’ applications, transparency can be induced into the system. With consolidated real-time shipment data available on a single platform that generates predictive analytical insights, a more resilient supply chain can be expected and delivered.
“Digitisation is only a part of the environment. Embedding digital and analytics would enable carriers to receive market projections and alter course which seems to be done under short cycles for now,” says Ramchandani. “An important facet of the supply chain is rooted to how different economies would perform in the post-pandemic situation.”
Ramchandani says, at present the key priorities and focus should be on the following:
Felder says the three aspects that have emerged as the focal points for every organisation out of the COVID-19 pandemic are– resilience, digitalisation, and empathy.
“Firstly, the organisations and their leaderships that have shown resilience in operations are the ones that have managed to steer away from major disruptions. They are also the ones who have grown and progressed during these tough times. To make resilience a part of your daily operations and agility a part of your behaviour has become essential.”
“While many stakeholders have adapted the way of digitalisation in one way or another, the remaining must understand that unless the whole ecosystem makes a shift towards digitalisation, it is not going to yield the best outcomes. We must understand that digitalising has not helped avoid a lot of physical contact during this period but also improved efficiency by eliminating time-consuming paper-based processes, which in turn made proceedings error-free.”
“Lastly, every organisation and individual should accept that importance is in empathy. The pandemic has taught us that almost every individual around the world was susceptible to the disease, and that good leaders understood the pains or fears that the people had in their minds during this period. Allowing employees to work from home and not mandating them to come to work, believing in their efforts and appreciating their results will create a long lasting effect. Empathy goes beyond your own organisations’ employees. It has made us, especially in the supply chain sector, go the extra mile to keep the cargo moving as it could be a life-saving effort for many around the world.”
Singh do believes one positive thing that has come out of this pandemic is how the supply chains have speeded-up the digitisation process and moving towards a more integrated and connected network.
“This has also become the key priority of all maritime stakeholders,” he says. Traditionally, digitisation was only viewed from the efficiency and cost control perspective, but now focus has shifted towards resilience as new digital solutions enable stakeholders to mitigate the supply chain risk more quickly and with more confidence.
In this endeavour, IPA has been working on various digitisation efforts among which developing a world class Port Community System (PCS) is foremost. A new version PCS1x, is live and functional since 11 December 2018 and serves as single platform for exchange of data and documents between shipping agents/shipping lines and sea ports.
PCS 1x as an open platform, can be molded and adapted to the industry needs to cater to the National Logistics Portal for all the stakeholders as envisaged. With these features and functional, PCS 1x is evolving further to a world class National Logistics Portal (NLP)-Marine.
“Definitely! The key priority at present is implementation of new technologies. Apart from this, there’s urgent need to up skill and upgrade,” says Gupta. “Managing data is also crucial. These strategies help operators to strengthen relationships with customers, reduce cost and pursue new revenue streams beyond the traditional services.”
“Digital platform- NLP-Marine is envisaged as the central hub in all interactions with various stakeholders, viz. port, terminals, shipping lines/agents, CFS, customs brokers, importers/ exporters. These interactions are expected to take place in real-time. The communication among the stakeholders should be fast, reliable, recordable and device independent. Furthermore, the value-added system should be able to provide audit trail of all processed transactions.
Path to recovery
At this point of time, experts feel it’s not possible to make long-term forecasts for the maritime sector given the uncertainty of the global trade at present. However, what is certain is the fact that the path to recovery can be identified in the beginning or middle of 2021. According to reports, container volumes are most unlikely to return to a normal level anytime before 2021. The crisis has accelerated the decline in the growth of demand for container shipping which reflected in how shipping lines have effectively removed capacity to manage otherwise over-tonnage scenarios.
As per recent data, as to what Jayakrishnan says, a gradual recovery can be spotted in global trade. It shows that the global container ship arrivals dipped below 2019 levels in mid-March 2020 but started picking up around the third week of June. Post-monsoons, in the month of August, September, and October, India too has witnessed similar movement and trade upswing. Shipping timetables have become busier and freight has been improving on various legs, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels on some routes and commodities.
With the global economy expected to contract by 4.4 per cent this year as predicted by IMF there are many uncertainties ahead that are related not only to COVID-19, but also in the economic and political scenario which but naturally impact the maritime industry. “Hence, one would have to be cautious in predicting and most things boil down to short term planning for now which is things to remain the same until Q2 of 2021,” says Ramchandani.
“Although, the capability of the maritime industry to get adapted has improved, it will still struggle for at least the half of 2021 to cope with new market demands as there are many aspects which are hitting our industry for the first time, i.e. container shortage and container index being tracked in various markets along with the ever-changing vessel capacity which carriers have been struggling with due to blank sailings, cessation of service routes, etc.” explains Ramchandani.
The new mantra for liners, he says, has been on-box utilisation and asset deployment, both strong fundamentals which have come to the fore through this pandemic and triggering constant change which is expected to continue in 2021.
“The industry is evidently and firmly on the path to recovery and is getting trained to manage cargo capacity and handling, which encourages me to hazard a guess that it would be somewhere in 2022 which should allow us to see pre-COVID levels. Supply chains are showcasing singular resourcefulness and adaptability, though the challenges are far from over. The preferred outcomes may be fundamental changes and a host of managers and regulators that find it second-nature to rethink global models and supply dependencies. From my point of view, the appetite for growth is there but on a more controlled manner. Additionally, the consolidation of carriers and freight forwarders would continue to bring more stability to the industry,” says Ramchandani.
If we analyse the data of cargo handled at India’s Major ports, the worst effect of pandemic was seen in the month of May’2020 when total cargo handled dropped by -23.25 per cent vis-à-vis the same period last year.
Singh says traffic data started showing recovery signs since June’2020 and by September’2020, the traffic handled at Major Ports showed huge recovery with just -1.93 per cent drop vis-à-vis last year in total traffic and container traffic growth turned positive with 6.17 per cent growth in tonnage and 1.88 per cent growth in TEUs. “With economy further opening and demand rising, we expect cargo handled growth performance to be even better.”
“Outlook for near term looks very robust and positive for maritime industry and as already mentioned in the case of ocean freight rates, long term performance would depend on the number of factors such as the rate of economic recovery, localisation of supply chains, trade protectionism and barriers, growth in consumer demand and other global factors,” he informs.
“I feel the maritime industry has gained more importance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Felder. “This is the industry that kept supply chains moving in a cost-effective manner. This is the industry that provided for support to societies in terms of health, food, pharmaceuticals and other crisis-essential goods. We already know that shipping is the most cost-effective solution for moving goods around the world and it will continue to be,” asserts Felder.
“We can see that the cargo volumes are improving and recovering. They will continue to grow closer and closer towards the pre-COVID times over the next few months. However, it is unclear what 2021 and beyond will look like. The total volume is recovering but there is still some time before we get to the pre-COVID levels. There are new trends emerging due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some of these include changing sourcing patterns as well as changing retail behaviours. Cargo volumes might go up, but their origins and destinations might vary in the coming years. E-commerce is an area that will continue to grow and gain more importance in the future.”
“This is the time of change, this is the time to see who can adapt to the changing needs,” says Gupta. “The shipping industry is going to change completely in terms of its players. It’s possible the traditional players will no longer exist tomorrow. The strongest threads today are from the players adopting digital technology as a basis for an asset less business model that lets them compete with the lower cost base.”
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) held its 6th EC Meeting for the term 2021-23 on May 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. The meeting was attended by the Office Bearers and 28 Member Association representative of FFFAI from across the country, there were many issues discussed and updates provided concerning customs, CBLR, EDI, Service Tax/GST, logistics, air cargo, sea cargo, skill development,importance of social media which FFFAI has expanded recently, technology developments, etc. The special focus of the 6th EC meeting was the updates on forthcoming 24th Biennial Convention of FFFAI to be held from August 12 to 14, 2022 in Chennai with the theme LOGISTICS RESHAPE, EMBRACE AND SURGE IN THE DIGITAL ERA. At this EC meeting, FFFAI also implemented Digital Learning platform for members and next generation for e-learning. It has been decided that FFFAI would initiate FIATA eFBL here in India to benefit the trade, which empowers customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers. In addition, updates on the recently held FIATA HQ Meet was also provided by the concerned members of FFFAI. FFFAI members present at this EC meeting stressed upon enhancing productivity on ICEGATE for trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business. The FFFAI members also urged for creating a dedicated portal for LSP integration. As regard to skill development initiatives, IIFF’s (training arm of FFFAI) past and forthcoming training programmes (both online and classroom/physical) for the entire logistics industry were presented at the EC meeting. In addition, FFFAI’s various initiatives on capacity building through technology/IT also discussed withadequate importance. Recent activities of FFFAI Women’s Wing including organising interactive meetings with Government of India officials and industry experts were highlighted at this meeting which drew huge appreciation from the members. The members committed to expand the activities of the Women’s Wing in all the 28 member association locations to empower/encourage the women logistics practitioners. At this EC meeting FFFAI has signed an MoU with the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) with an objective of skilling the aspiring candidates looking for opportunities in the logistics sector. Notably, a special session was organised at this 6th EC Meeting where N Sivasailam, former Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India was present to address the FFFAI members and highlight the recent initiatives of the government in strengthening the logistics infrastructure, thereby leading in increase of international trade through multimodal connectivity and faster cargo clearance. He projected the ambitious growth potential of the logistics industry in India with a strong collaboration between government and industry people. Also speaking on the occasion was Bani Bhattacharya, IRS, who interacted with members of FFFAI on various initiatives of CBIC for the trade facilitation without human intervention. FFFAI Chairman Shankar Shinde thanked all the 28 associations for their support and appreciated the contribution of CBIC/DG systems trade facilitation measures. FFFAI Member Associations are: 1. Ahmedabad Custom Brokers' Association2. Aurangabad Customs House Agents Association3. Association of Custom House Agents Thiruvanthapuram4. Bangalore Custom House Agents Association5. Brihnamumbai Custom Brokers Association6. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association7. Chennai Customs House Agents Association8. Cochin Customs Brokers' Association9. Coimbatore Customs House and Steamer Agents Association10. Custom Brokers Association Hyderabad11. Delhi Customs Brokers Association12. Goa Custom Brokers Association13.Indore Customs House Agents Association14. The Kakinada Customs Brokers Association15. Kandla Custom Brokers Association16. Kanpur Customs Brokers Association17. Ludhiana Customs House Agents Association18. Mangalore Customs House Agents Association19. Mundra Customs Brokers Association20. Nagpur Customs House Agents Association21. Nashik Customs House Agents Association22. Nadia Custom Brokers Association23. Pipavav Custom Brokers Association24. Pune Customs House Agents Association25. Rajasthan Customs House Agents Association26.Tuticorin Custom Brokers Association27.Visakhapatnam Cusotms Brokers' Association28.West Bengal Custom House Agents Society FFFAI welcomes Women in Logistics/Youth in Logistics to participate on FFFAI forums and also invites membership application form logistics service providers in industry as this is a big national and international forum to network.
Ecom Express Limited, India’s sole pure-play B2C e-commerce logistics provider as of the Financial Year 2024, has introduced a new brand identity, underscoring its commitment to customer-centricity. This rebranding reflects a focus on addressing specific customer needs, prioritising customer-facing metrics, and integrating innovative technology across its nationwide express logistics network. The goal is to enhance speed, agility, and network reach, ensuring a customer-focused approach. The rebranding includes a dynamic logo and a refreshed visual identity, symbolising Ecom Express’s pursuit of excellence. The new logo features a forward-moving arrow within a square, representing the company’s dedication to delivery. The letter "E" in the logo stands for Expression, Innovation, and Progress, while the bold magenta colour signifies bravery, self-expression, and strength. This vibrant magenta reintroduction reflects Ecom Express's renewed commitment to customers, partners, and team members, as the company aims to simplify and democratise logistics for all. Ajay Chitkara, CEO and MD of Ecom Express, elaborated on the transformation, stating, “Our refreshed brand identity reaffirms our customer-first approach as we continue to integrate technology and innovation to provide reliable, high-speed services with the widest network reach. This transformation also underscores our commitment to our employees and delivery partners, who are essential to our business.” The new logo embodies Ecom Express’s dedication to its core values, focusing on customer welfare and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. This rebranding signifies a promise to redefine logistics through advanced technology, making life easier for all types of customers.
Delmos Aviation has transported the second lot of 300 units of oxygen concentrators from Russia to New Delhi for the Rajasthan state government. The consignment was airborne on an Aeroflot A333 aircraft (SU 232) and reached at 10:10 AM in New Delhi. The shipments were shipped by road and sent back to Swasthya Bhawan, Jaipur, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation (RMSCL). RMSCL obtained oxygen concentrators from Russian companies together with Delmos Aviation. Delmos Aviation is procuring, transporting and supplying COVID-relied materials to the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation with the mandate signed with the Rajasthan Government. There will shortly be two consignments with the remaining 800 oxygen concentrators. "We are ready to assist governments in the provision and delivery of any type of essential medical supplies, oxygen concentration and equipment as quickly as possible," said Dr Naveen Rao, Director, Delmos Aviation. "At this juncture, time-based deliveries are paramount. We can handle the airlift and deliver the shipment to the last point." In four lots, 100, 300, 450 and 400 units, a total of 1250 oxygen concentrations are ordered and continue to reach New Delhi in batches of shipments. On 14 and 16 May 2021, the remaining lots will arrive. Oxygen concentrators of Single flowmeter (0.5-10LPM Adjustable) and double flowmeter (0-5LPM Adjustable) are included in the delivery. The models are JAY-10A & LFY-I-5A. "The government of Rajasthan is working hard in this raging second wave of the pandemic to provide basic medical equipment to head Minister Ashok Gehlot and Minister of Health, Raghu Sharma. The government plans to import 1250 oxygen concentrators from Moscow, Russia, in partnership with Delmos Aviation, as part of its efforts to enhance medical oxygen in the state," said a spokesperson.
Mahindra World City Jaipur (MWC Jaipur), a joint venture between Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd (MLDL) and Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) announced it concluded 26 new lease agreements between April 2021 and June 2022. The new signings included both new customers and expansion of facilities by existing clients, together leasing about 137 acres of land. In the same period, MWC Jaipur and its constituent units' aggregated investments crossed Rs 721 crores, and cumulative exports by MWC Jaipur exceeded Rs 15,930 crores, of which Rs 3,321 crores were in the last 15 months. Over these fifteen months, a total of 69 companies have completed their facility buildout at MWC Jaipur and become operational. The new entrants to MWC Jaipur represent a variety of sectors, like Logistics and Warehousing, IT & ITeS, Engineering, Furniture Manufacturing, Solar Energy, Gems and Jewelry manufacturing. The newly added roster of clients at MWC Jaipur includes Wipro Hydraulics, Shakti Hormann, Renew Photovoltaics, Kerakoll India, Normet, Gulmohar Lane Lifestyle, Manor & Mews, J Atelier Pink City, Kamal Coach Works, Maxop Engineering, amongst others. Rajaram Pai, Chief Business Officer – Industrial, Mahindra Lifespaces said, “MWC Jaipur today is home to prestigious domestic and international manufacturing companies from across the world, who have established a manufacturing base in India for the first time. Enabling business acceleration for customers has always been our focus. We continue to deliver the highest urbanisation standards by leveraging innovation, thoughtful design, and a deep commitment to sustainability. MWC Jaipur contributes towards generating incremental employment and income for the state while creating world-class infrastructure which would serve the nation for many years to come. We are glad to be the enablers of Make-in-India and Make-for-India.” Becoming a preferred destination of choice for over 121 global and domestic companies, MWC Jaipur is enabling business growth for customers by crafting a conducive environment, with robust infrastructure and facilities that propagate ease of doing business. Mahindra World City Jaipur is the first project in Asia to receive Climate Positive Development Stage 2 Certification from the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), a global network of large cities taking action to address climate change. With a focus on climate-positive development, MWC Jaipur is continuing its efforts on integrating sustainability within the city. Green, integrated developments is continuously being upgraded to mitigate the impact of business operations on the environment. As of March 31, 2022, a total of 59,955 trees have been planted in government-approved forest areas and rural areas under the Mahindra Group’s flagship program – Hariyali. Around 11,100 trees have been planted within the industrial park.
A significant milestone has been achieved in the Indo-Bangla railway project with the inauguration of the inaugural freight train connecting Bangladesh's Gangasagar to Tripura's Nischintanpur. This momentous event marks a significant step forward in strengthening the rail connectivity between the two neighboring countries. The new railway connection is set to enhance trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, providing a more efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation for goods. It will not only boost bilateral trade but also promote economic development in the region by opening up new opportunities for businesses and industries. The Indo-Bangla railway project is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity and foster closer ties between the two nations. It is expected to play a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both countries.
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.
