AVA Global Logistics Pvt Ltd has signed a contract with Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Ltd to ship 750 containers of steel coils. The order, valued at Rs 10 crore, was issued under a new contract. The goods are scheduled to be shipped in the following quarter, which ends in December 2024, thus contributing to the growing footprint of AVA Global in international trade, especially strategic markets in Europe and the Mediterranean. The upcoming shipment further strengthens AVA Global's position in handling high volume shipments, crediting its role as a key enabler for Indian manufacturers looking to expand their global reach. Boasting experience and a commitment to delivering excellence, AVA Global takes pride in working in seamless coordination to ensure timely delivery while offering the best of logistics solutions in conformance with the highest industry standards. Commenting on the new contract, Darshan Ghodawat, Managing Director of AVA Global Logistics, said, "We are elated to have been awarded this large shipment order which vindicates our investment towards enabling India's manufacturing story across the globe. The needs of the logistics business are often diverse, and this contract with Manaksia consolidates our leadership as a logistics provider." We have met our objectives of enabling clients to access and succeed in global markets with confidence in offering the assurance of efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery. The two decades of experience in becoming a global network, AVA Global ensured that it stands as a dependable and resourceful logistics partner. Through the implementation of advanced technology, the company team of committed logistics professionals have ensured standard service delivery. Air and ocean freight, warehousing, customs clearance, chartering, and ground transportation are included in the rich portfolio of logistics services. Only going to add further glory to AVA Global, the latest shipment order for steel coils from Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Ltd is said to further strengthen trade ties between India and overseas markets, especially within the metals industry.

Scan Global Logistics (SGL), a leading provider of transport and logistics solutions, has opened its first office in Ireland, marking a significant expansion in its European operations. This new location strengthens SGL’s capabilities in a vital trade region, positioning the company to better serve both local and international customers with comprehensive logistics solutions. The expansion into Ireland is part of SGL's broader growth strategy in Europe. Ireland, with its strategic position as a gateway between North America and Europe, is an important logistics hub for transatlantic trade. Its proximity to major trade lanes enhances SGL’s ability to facilitate seamless connections across air and ocean transport, reinforcing its global network. Lars Syberg, CEO of EMEA at SGL, emphasised the importance of this expansion: "Our move into Ireland reflects our focus on enhancing our presence in key markets. By establishing a strong foothold here, we can provide more tailored and efficient logistics solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs." Neil Murray, Managing Director of SGL UK & Ireland, added, "Ireland’s location is pivotal for supporting our global growth goals. With this new office, we can enhance our agility in addressing local and international logistics challenges." The Ireland office will be led by Scott Darcy, the newly appointed Country Director, under the leadership of Neil Murray. The company plans to further expand its team in Ireland as part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth in the region. This move follows SGL's earlier expansions in 2024, which included acquiring Foppiani Shipping & Logistics in Italy and entering the Saudi Arabian market, underscoring the company’s commitment to building a stronger, more versatile global network.

DSV achieved a 25% year-over-year revenue increase for the third quarter of 2024, reaching DKK 44.1 billion. This growth was driven by higher volumes across air and sea freight and rising sea freight rates. Notably, DSV did not experience the typical summer dip in volumes, as per an official statement. Profit for Q3 2024 rose slightly to DKK 2.85 billion, compared to DKK 2.8 billion in the same period last year. "The third quarter of 2024 has been a landmark for our company with the agreement to acquire Schenker, creating a global leader in transport and logistics," said Jens H. Lund, Group CEO of DSV. He added that the company successfully raised €5 billion in equity from long-term investors, positioning DSV for future growth. The Schenker acquisition is expected to significantly bolster DSV's global network and service offerings. "We look forward to welcoming our colleagues from Schenker and building a world-class transport and logistics company," Lund continued. DSV’s Q3 2024 financial performance showed continued earnings growth, with quarterly gross profit and EBIT before special items increasing year-over-year for the first time since Q3 2022. The growth was fuelled by volume increases across all divisions, particularly air and sea freight. For the first nine months of 2024, DSV's revenue reached DKK 123.6 billion, marking a 9% increase from the same period last year. However, adjusted earnings for the same period declined by 13% to DKK 8.3 billion, down from DKK 9.6 billion in 2023. Despite a challenging market landscape impacted by macroeconomic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Red Sea regions, DSV delivered positive earnings growth. The company also reported improved free cash flow and narrowed its full-year EBIT guidance for 2024 to DKK 16-17 billion, up from its previous estimate of DKK 15.5-17 billion. The Air & Sea division continued to perform well, with revenue rising 30% in Q3 2024 to DKK 28.4 billion. EBIT before special items reached DKK 3.3 billion. DSV’s air freight volumes grew by 8% in Q3 2024, primarily driven by increased demand from APAC, particularly in the technology sector. Additionally, the narrowing price gap between sea and air freight resulted in higher conversions from sea to air shipments. Sea freight volumes also grew by 8% in Q3 2024, slightly outperforming the broader market, with strong export volumes out of APAC contributing to this growth. The Road division reported a revenue increase to DKK 10 billion, while EBIT before special items slightly decreased to DKK 514 million. Despite challenging market conditions, including low demand and pressure on freight rates, the division gained market share, especially on European groupage shipments. The Solutions division saw revenue reach DKK 6.6 billion, with EBIT before special items at DKK 636 million. This growth was driven by a year-over-year increase in order lines, although partially offset by lower warehouse utilisation and higher expansion-related costs. The acquisition of Schenker, expected to be finalised by Q2 2025, will further enhance DSV’s global network and service offerings. Schenker, with over 86,600 employees across 70 countries and a revenue of €19.1 billion in 2023, is a strong strategic fit for DSV. The deal will strengthen DSV's presence in key markets such as France and Germany, contributing to operational efficiencies and expanded customer services. M&A activity remains a core part of DSV’s strategy, combining both organic and inorganic growth to build a more robust company moving forward.

Levi Strauss & Co. is strategically shifting towards third-party logistics (3PL) services, partnering with Maersk to enhance its distribution capabilities. The company’s new Groveport facility will leverage state-of-the-art warehouse technology, including two EuroSort sortation systems, which are known for their efficiency in managing apparel logistics. According to a Maersk spokesperson, each EuroSort system is equipped with 40 induction and 600 order locations, enabling swift matching of products to orders. This technology can sort up to 28,000 products per hour and manage approximately 100 million units annually. The installation of the first EuroSort system is currently 70% complete, with the second unit expected to arrive in November. Full operational capability is slated for early 2025. Notably, the EuroSort systems also automate the handling of leftover cartons, minimising the number of trips needed by pickers through batch picking processes. Additionally, the facility will utilise Maersk’s Warehouse Management System, providing real-time visibility into inventory management. This allows Levi’s to adjust production dynamically and will serve as a training centre for operational improvements. This strategic pivot follows Levi’s announcement to transition away from a primarily owned-and-operated distribution network in the U.S. and Europe, aiming to reduce fulfilment costs. The Groveport location marks the tenth global facility operated by Maersk for Levi’s, further solidifying their partnership. As Craig Jones, Levi Strauss’ Senior Vice President of Global Distribution and Logistics Operations, stated, “This facility is an important step in our strategy to transition to a hybrid distribution and logistics network.”

Mahindra Logistics, a leading integrated logistics firm, has announced a consolidated net loss of ₹10.75 crore for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. This marks an improvement from the loss of ₹15.93 crore reported during the same period last fiscal year. The company’s revenue from operations surged to ₹1,521.10 crore, up 11.45% from ₹1,364.76 crore in Q2 FY2024. In a statement, Mahindra Logistics emphasised its commitment to expanding capacity and investing in the eastern and northeastern regions of India. These investments, aimed at enhancing warehouses, delivery stations, and express logistics, are expected to contribute positively to the company’s growth in the latter part of the fiscal year. The firm reported a significant 65% year-on-year increase in revenues from its freight forwarding business, largely attributed to improved pricing in ocean freight. However, it acknowledged that ongoing geopolitical conflicts continue to exert pressure on the cross-border market, requiring careful monitoring. Additionally, losses from the express logistics segment were reduced by 32% year-on-year, thanks to continuous cost optimisation efforts. The company also noted a 10% decrease in EBITDA losses quarter-on-quarter, reflecting effective management strategies. “Growth in volumes continues to be a key priority for the business as it progresses towards an EBITDA breakeven,” the company stated. In the third-party logistics (3PL) sector, Mahindra Logistics reported over 21.6 million square feet of warehouse space under management, which is pivotal for its operational capabilities. The firm highlighted a robust revenue performance with a year-on-year growth rate of 11.5%. The 3PL contract logistics, cross-border, and last-mile delivery segments saw strong growth, driven by new account additions, innovative offerings, and a stable pricing environment for cross-border services. Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Logistics, noted the company’s proactive approach to expanding capacity and resources in contract logistics and last-mile delivery in anticipation of the upcoming festive peak. He acknowledged that while a soft demand environment and challenging operating conditions have impacted the express business, he is optimistic that the second half of the fiscal year will be stronger, buoyed by festive demand and margin improvement initiatives across all business segments. With strategic investments and an expanding infrastructure network, Mahindra Logistics is positioning itself for future growth in an evolving logistics landscape.

CEVA Logistics, a global leader in third-party logistics, has officially partnered with Almajdouie Logistics to establish a joint venture named CEVA Almajdouie Logistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The agreement was finalised during the inaugural Global Logistics Forum held in Riyadh, following initial announcements made in July 2024 and subsequent approvals from relevant Saudi authorities. This strategic joint venture is set to address the increasing demand for integrated logistics solutions in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the nation's Vision 2030 objectives aimed at economic diversification and growth. CEVA Logistics holds a majority stake in the new venture, which will leverage the complementary strengths of both companies to enhance service offerings in the region. CEVA Logistics has had a presence in Saudi Arabia since the 1980s and has collaborated with Almajdouie Logistics on various initiatives, including a previous joint venture focusing on finished vehicle logistics. The newly formed CEVA Almajdouie Logistics will combine both companies' transport and logistics operations, enabling customers to benefit from Almajdouie’s extensive domestic infrastructure integrated with CEVA’s global network. Headquartered in Dammam, the joint venture will employ around 2,000 staff members and maintain a local fleet of over 2,000 assets, positioning itself as a key player in the KSA logistics sector. Mohammed Almajdouie, chairman of CEVA Almajdouie Logistics, expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to strengthen the global reach of Saudi businesses and enhance integrated services for clients. Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics, underscored the importance of seamless logistics and global connectivity for the domestic economy, asserting that the joint venture is a significant strategic move for both companies and will enhance customer experiences in the region.

Global logistics powerhouse DP World has unveiled plans for a £1 billion expansion of the London Gateway, aiming to establish it as Britain’s largest container port within the next five years. This significant investment is expected to enhance the volume and resilience of international trade, marking a crucial step in bolstering the UK’s logistics capabilities. The expansion will include the construction of two new shipping berths, bringing the total to six, which will be capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels. Additionally, a second rail terminal will be developed to manage the anticipated increase in containerised trade, further integrating the port into global supply chains. By the end of the decade, the quayside will stretch over 2.5 kilometres, allowing simultaneous docking of six vessels, each exceeding 400 meters in length, and equipped with Europe’s tallest quay cranes, rivalling the height of Big Ben. This ambitious project will create 400 permanent new jobs, complementing the existing workforce of 1,200 at the site. The expansion marks a significant milestone in the rapid growth of the Thames Estuary hub, which commenced operations in 2013 and has played a pivotal role in the economic revitalisation of south Essex. With this latest investment, DP World’s total commitment to London Gateway will surpass £3 billion, transforming the former oil refinery site into one of the UK’s most critical logistics centres. Recently, the port saw the introduction of a £359 million fourth berth, notable for being powered entirely by electricity, set to welcome its first ship soon. Additionally, DP World has established Europe’s largest logistics park nearby, employing 1,500 workers and providing essential storage, warehousing, and distribution services. This facility benefits from excellent rail freight and motorway connections, enabling quick access to the significant consumer market of London and the South East. Fast-track planning consents allow businesses to rapidly erect new facilities in response to market demands. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at DP World, expressed pride in this major investment, emphasising its potential to enhance Britain’s trade flow and connect domestic exporters with global markets. “This investment underscores our long-term commitment to the UK,” he stated. Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer for Ports & Terminals at DP World UK, highlighted the strategic advantages of London Gateway's location and transport infrastructure. “With extra capacity comes the reliability and supply chain resilience so important to our customers, especially during challenging times,” he noted. Pending planning approval and regulatory requirements, the expansion is anticipated to significantly boost the port's trade volume, which currently handles nearly 2 million TEUs annually. With a workforce of 5,500 across various logistics services, DP World is a key player in the UK economy, handling a substantial portion of imported containerised perishables at both London Gateway and Southampton. Operating in 78 countries, DP World manages 10% of global trade, underscoring its vital role in international logistics.

Mahindra Logistics, a leading integrated logistics solutions provider, has introduced a new brand identity, marking a significant step in its journey toward innovation and sustainable growth. The refreshed identity reflects the company's ambition to scale new heights and highlights its core values and future-focused vision. In a statement, the company emphasised that the new identity symbolises collective strength and a continuous drive toward forward momentum. It aligns with Mahindra Logistics' goal to deliver agile, technologically advanced, and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions for its customers. Rampraveen Swaminathan, CEO and MD of Mahindra Logistics, shared insights on the company’s refreshed brand identity, stating, “Our new identity is a reflection of our vision in our actions. It honors our past, celebrates our present, and embodies our vision for the future. At the heart of this new brand identity lies the collective strength and growth of our employees, driving us to push boundaries.” With this rebranding, Mahindra Logistics reinforces its commitment to providing cutting-edge logistics solutions that adapt to evolving customer needs, while pushing the boundaries of technological advancement and sustainability. This move positions the company as a future-ready player in the fast-evolving logistics landscape.

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has announced an important advisory regarding the integration of the Parcel Management System (PMS) with the E-Way Bill (EWB) system. This integration, facilitated through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), enables the seamless transfer of Railway Receipt (RR) and Parcel Way Bill (PWB) data directly to the E-way bill portal, thereby enhancing the efficiency of goods transportation across the nation. The primary aim of this integration is to ensure that taxpayers using Indian Railways for goods transportation provide accurate information, minimising discrepancies in data reporting. Under the new guidelines, taxpayers utilising the Indian Railways PMS must enter the correct RR or PWB number in Part B of the EWB portal. A standardised format has been introduced to ensure consistency and accuracy in data entry. Specifically, suppliers transporting goods from their factories to railway stations must update Part B of the EWB, especially when opting for rail transport under the PMS. To do so, they need to use the “Multi-Transport Mode” option, select Rail as the transport mode, and input the corresponding RR or PWB number. The format for entering RR or PWB numbers has been standardised as follows: PXXXRRNo. Here, “P” indicates PMS, “XXX” denotes the originating station code, and “RRNo” is the actual Railway Receipt number. For example, if the RR number is 2020-307306 from station code NZM, it should be entered as PNZM2020-307306 in the EWB system. Furthermore, the EWB system will validate entered RR/PWB numbers against data from the PMS. Any mismatches will trigger alerts, urging taxpayers to ensure the accuracy of their entries to avoid delays. The correct input of RR and PWB numbers is critical for efficient tracking and verification of goods transported via Indian Railways, promoting hassle-free validation. Taxpayers experiencing difficulties or discrepancies are encouraged to raise support tickets, specifying the relevant RR or PWB number for assistance. This integration represents a significant advancement in enhancing compliance and ensuring smooth coordination between Indian Railways and GSTN. For detailed guidance, taxpayers can access sample formats within the system resources.