TVS ILP signs MoU with Goa-IPB to set up Rs 125-cr Grade A logistics park

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TVS Industrial and Logistical Parks (TVS ILP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (Goa-IPB) for the development of an avant-garde Grade A warehousing and logistics park in the Verna Industrial Estate. The strategic commitment involves an investment of ₹125 crores, marking TVS ILP’s proactive stance in fostering industrial growth in the state.

The signing ceremony took place at the prestigious Invest Goa 2024 Summit held at Taj Cicade de Goa, Dona Paula. The MoU was signed between Dr Ramnath Subramaniam, CEO of TVS ILP and Swetika Sachan IAS, CEO of Goa-IPB.

Spanning an extensive area of 15-20 acres, this state-of-the-art facility is poised to redefine logistics and warehousing standards in the region. The venture is not only about infrastructural development but also about generating substantial economic impact in the area. The project anticipates providing direct employment for 250 individuals and creating indirect opportunities for up to 1000 people, thereby contributing significantly to job creation in the local community.

Dr Ramnath Subramaniam, CEO of TVS ILP said, “Our partnership with Goa-IPB is a significant milestone for TVS ILP. The central government has been making investments in Goa’s infrastructure, making it an attractive business destination. This MoU will help put Goa on the map for many businesses that require specialised warehousing solution. By aligning with the government’s vision, the logistics park aims to become a catalyst for economic growth, fostering industrialisation and generating employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled talent in the state.”

TVS ILP’s mission is to cater to the existing industries in Goa while enticing potential investors in critical sectors. The collaboration with the Government of Goa, as signified by the MoU signing, showcases TVS ILP’s dedication to enhancing the state’s industrial landscape.

TVS ILP boasts an extensive footprint with over 18 parks across 10 states. As the oldest and most dedicated corporate developer in this segment, TVS ILP is set to embark on a transformative journey, envisioning the development of 20 million sq ft of cutting-edge infrastructure spread across 20 warehousing parks nationwide in the next three to four years.

Vinsum Axpress, DFCCIL partner for Truck on Train

Vinsum Axpress has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) to spearhead a transformative initiative that combines the efficiency of trucks with the reliability of trains by embracing the innovative Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) model.

In partnership with DFCCIL, Vinsum Axpress will explore the opportunity to integrate trucks on trains, unlocking a new era in freight logistics. Loaded trucks will be directly carried by railway wagons to their destination. By tapping into the expansive network of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), the company aims to streamline the movement of goods from Rewari (Haryana) to Palanpur (Gujarat) and beyond, reducing transit times and optimising operational costs.

The RO-RO Train aka TRUCK on TRAIN model is a game-changer in the transportation industry, offering a seamless blend of road and rail capabilities. This hybrid approach not only enhances speed but also minimises the environmental impact, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly logistics solution.

Moreover, the incorporation of the RORO model adds an extra layer of efficiency. Trucks can effortlessly drive onto specially designed rail wagons, eliminating the need for time-consuming loading and unloading processes. This innovative system ensures a swift and smooth transition between road and rail, maximising the overall efficiency of the transportation process. Further, it reduces fuel consumption, decreases wear and tear of vehicles, provides relief to drivers when driving in extreme conditions and terrains, and helps reach destinations faster and on-time.

Vinsum Axpress’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in this groundbreaking collaboration. By leveraging the capabilities of DFCCIL’s dedicated freight corridors, the company is not only aiming to enhance its operational capabilities but also contribute to the larger goal of modernising India’s freight logistics infrastructure.

Turkish Cargo augments its cool chain capabilities with launch of three bespoke pharma solutions

Turkish Cargo has boosted its cool chain capabilities in terms of logistics for pharmaceuticals and medical products with the launch of three new pharma products TK Pharma Standard, TK Pharma Extra and TK Pharma Advanced, in addition to the cargo handling facilities and expert services offered by the carrier at its SMARTIST mega cargo facility in Istanbul Airport.

Raising the bar for quality, the three new pharma products are designed to meet the expectations of the customers at the highest level by offering flexible solutions for the pharmaceutical and medical consignments in various categories.

“We, as Turkish Cargo, are making innovative investments for the purpose of not only solidifying such trust but also adapting to the dynamics of the ever-growing healthcare industry. With the new offers, Turkish Cargo is committed to providing its business partners with more assurance, transparency, and better visibility for an enhanced quality and widened range of services,” said Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer of Turkish Airlines.

“We are proud to be a trusted solution partner, which has helped us achieve a market share of 7 per cent in the global air transportation of pharmaceuticals and medical products.”

Industry-standard temperature-controlled solutions

TK Pharma Standard will enable temperature-sensitive cargo to be shipped in compliance with the industry requirements. Shipments will benefit from expert handling, high priority loading, dedicated temperature-controlled storage, powered by a trained dedicated operations team and 24/7 customer services, available throughout the entire TK Pharma Network under the assurance of Turkish Cargo.

Enhanced temperature-controlled solutions

TK Pharma Extra is customised for pharmaceuticals and medical products with a higher sensitivity to temperature and time, shipped by making use of passive packaging methods with extra protection during apron transportation, such as temperature-controlled dollies for apron transport with constant monitoring from the point of departure to the destination via the 24/7 Pharma Control Tower. TK Pharma Extra will be available only at “TK Pharma High-Quality Stations” that have been audited and approved by the TK Cargo Pharma quality team.

Active and hybrid temperature-controlled solutions

TK Pharma Advanced is designed to provide the opportunity for near-zero risk against temperature deviation by making use of active temperature-controlled or hybrid/advanced passive containers. The shipment or product can be carried at a fixed temperature ranging between -70°C / +30°C, as per the requests of customers. The team, established dedicatedly for TK Pharma Advanced, will manage the transportation processes and provide the customers with consultancy services in terms of container leasing.

With dedicated storage facilities spanning four different temperature ranges at the SMARTIST Temperature Controlled Centre (TCC) located at its Istanbul Airport hub, Turkish Cargo provides the opportunity to maintain pharmaceuticals and medical products at optimal conditions. Holding an IATA CEIV Pharma certificate and offering service at the GDP standards, the carrier transports all pharmaceuticals and medical consignments in compliance with the industry requirements. Turkish Cargo also provides temperature-controlled build-up and break-down and automated ULD storage for pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments in TCC. Temperature-controlled dollies are being used for protecting the pharmaceuticals and medical products against the ambient conditions during the course of performance of the apron handling process between the TCC and the aircraft. Meanwhile, the deployment of smart technologies such as Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bolsters speed and quality in Turkish Cargo’s operations.

Driver Logistics plans bold expansion with 47 new warehouses across Karnataka, soon to launch in Thailand

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Driver Logistics, a rapidly growing logistics service provider, unveiled its multi-client warehouse and PTL operations in Bengaluru. The company’s CEO Aqil Ashique, at a press conference, declared the company’s strategic vision to position Bengaluru as its gateway hub connecting South India to the rest of the nation.

Within this scope, the company is set to expand its footprint across Karnataka, offering warehousing, Full Truckload (FTL), and Partial Truckload (PTL) services to clients in key towns. As part of its expansion strategy, the company plans to increase its warehouse count from 53 to over 100 in the next 18 months. The company is planning a bold investment of Rs 525 crores over the next five years with the aims to drive technological advancements, benefiting shippers, logistics service providers, and the local job market.

Over the next year itself, Driver Logistics plans to hire more than 150 individuals for its Karnataka operations, with a focus on engaging young graduates.

Established in 2019, Driver Logistics has achieved an impressive growth rate of over 30% annually, expanding its presence to seven states.

Bengaluru is positioned as a pivotal hub for Driver Logistics, facilitating the consolidation of operations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Ashique spotlighted the company’s resilient and efficient business model, highlighting its substantial growth without external funding.

He expressed optimism about the central government’s initiatives such as Gati Shakti, anticipating exponential growth in the logistics sector and a significant boost for companies in the 3PL sector. “Beyond national expansion, Driver Logistics eyes the growing trade between India and South East Asian countries as a catalyst for increased demand in professional logistics services. In line with this vision, the company is exploring expansion into South East Asia, with commencing operations in Thailand,” Ashique noted.

MSC expand strategic partnership with APSEZ, takes up 49% stake in Adani Ennore Container Terminal

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Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), the largest transport utility in India, has entered into a second strategic partnership with Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the container terminal operating and investing arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), for the operation of Adani Ennore Container Terminal Pvt Ltd (AECTPL).

This second joint venture builds on the success of the 2013 joint venture with TiL for Adani International Container Terminal Pvt Ltd (AICTPL), which operates CT3 Container Terminal at Mundra Port, the largest private commercial port in India.

“APSEZ enjoys a strong partnership with TiL and MSC, built on mutual trust and transparency, as reflected in our growing alliance. With this second joint venture, we are now further deepening this strategic partnership in one of the fastest growing container terminal markets in the south. We aim to replicate the AICTPL terminal’s success at the Ennore Container Terminal and service the trade needs of the South Indian market,” said Karan Adani, CEO and Whole Time Director of APSEZ.

“This strengthening of our association with the world’s largest shipping company reflects APSEZ’s robust vision of accelerating sectoral growth through a transparent business approach.”

“We are highly pleased to strengthen our partnership with APSEZ, India’s largest private sector port operator,” said Ammar Kanaan, CEO of Terminal Investment Ltd.

“This association will enable us to further improve TiL’s presence in one of the world’s fastest growing economies and strengthen our offering to customers in the Indian subcontinent.”

TIL, through its fully-owned subsidiary Mundi Ltd, will acquire a 49% shareholding of AECTPL from APSEZ for a consideration of Rs 247 crore. The total enterprise value of AECTPL is Rs 1,211 crore. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. After the completion of the transaction, APSEZ would hold 51% stake in AECTPL.

DP World Cochin launches new ‘SIG’ service to expand India-Southeast Asia-Middle East connectivity

DP World’s International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Cochin will host a new weekly mainline service called, ‘SIG’ operated by ONE Line to strengthen the India-Southeast Asia and the Middle East trade link. DP World Cochin flagged off the new service by welcoming the first vessel, M V Safeen Prism, on December 07, 2023.

The new weekly service has four vessels deployed with a capacity of 2800 TEUs providing direct connectivity between the Middle East and South East Asia. This new service will further provide Cochin and its hinterland with access to destinations in the Far East, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, United States West Coast, Canada, and vice-versa.

The service covers a port rotation between Singapore – Nhava Sheva – Mundra – Dammam – Jebel Ali – Cochin – Colombo – Singapore.

Commenting on the launch of the SIG service, Ravinder Johal, COO– Ports and Terminals, DP World Subcontinent and MENA region said, “The launch of our SIG service marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s connectivity to global trade. A pioneering initiative, SIG highlights our commitment to enhancing supply chain efficiencies, building direct trade routes, and supporting economic growth. With this service, Exim businesses will be able to explore newer markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.”

The launch of SIG will help enhance DP World Cochin position as a preferred gateway to south of India as it offers greater connectivity to ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Presently, nearly 50 per cent of both export and import cargo is directly connected from DP World Cochin, resulting in faster transit times, seamless connectivity, and better cost efficiencies for customers.

Supply chain managers gets a dash of proactive risk management intelligence with the launch of GAURI – from the house of 3SC Solutions

3SC Solutions has launched GAURI. A transformative chatbot powered by unparalleled Generative AI capabilities, GAURI marks a monumental shift in risk management within the supply chain industry.

Offering comprehensive insights, actionable recommendations, and the capability to respond to any supply chain query, GAURI’s agile interface traverses the complexities of supply chain management with ease.

The generative AI chatbot is a high-powered resource that can navigate the intricacies of the supply chain as it offers a versatile solution that goes beyond the traditional paradigms. It can identify potential risks, take mitigative actions, and act as a guide for supply chain inquiries. In addition to this, the chatbot integrates with systems to execute strategies and create a responsive value chain ecosystem.

One of the distinctive features of GAURI is its capacity to enable quick responses to supply chain inquiries with suggestive action plans. From analytics-driven insights aiding decision-making to potential risk identification. This dynamic approach makes it an evolutionary tool in the value chain risk management segment.

“3SC anticipates that GAURI’s launch will redefine the landscape of supply chain management, providing companies with a powerful tool to enhance resilience, optimise performance, and navigate the challenges of modern supply chain dynamics,” said Mohneesh Saxena, Chief Product Officer of 3SC Solutions.

Oman Air freighter service now connecting Hyderabad-Muscat

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Oman Air launched its maiden freighter services from GMR Hyderabad International Airport, operating its first Boeing B737-800BCF connecting Hyderabad and Muscat. The freighter service will operate two weekly flights, on Tuesday and Saturday. The flight will depart from Hyderabad at 14:00 hours.

With a one-way capacity of 22 metric tonnes, the freighter will add an additional weekly capacity of 88 metric tonnes from Hyderabad Airport. This service is poised to boost the export of pharmaceuticals and hatching eggs shipments from the city.

Oman serves as a large importer of hatching eggs from India. With this new connection, Oman Air expects a substantial surge in exports of hatching eggs from Hyderabad, leveraging the large hatchery infrastructure in the city. This new connectivity will also boost pharma exports to Oman and further to the US and Europe with Muscat serving as a transhipment base. Middle East is also a major importer of fruits and vegetables. This new freighter would enhance exports of fruits and vegetables from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to the Middle East.

“Oman Air freighter services from Hyderabad Airport will not only link our diverse industries and the thriving market within the city but will also provide opportunities for the businesses in the surrounding regions access to the global market. As global cargo demand continues to grow, we have emphasised and developed infrastructure and innovative capabilities, digital solutions, and added multiple value additions. We look forward to adding more cargo routes in the coming years,” said Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport.

GMR Hyderabad Airport Cargo serves multiple multinational companies across the pharma, perishable, engineering, automobile, aerospace and leather industries. Apart from all major cargo hubs in India, international destinations like Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha and Hong Kong are also well connected from the Hyderabad International Airport.

Mundra Port sets new record with 16.1 million tonnes in cargo handling

Mundra Port, a pivotal maritime gateway on the Indian subcontinent, has etched a resounding mark in history with an extraordinary feat: an unprecedented cargo handling record of a staggering 16.1 million tonnes in the illustrious month of October. This remarkable accomplishment serves as a testament to the port’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity and fostering international trade.

Amidst the ever-expanding global trade landscape, Mundra Port stands as a beacon of reliability and efficiency, its growth trajectory mirroring the region’s ascendance as a commercial powerhouse. This monumental achievement is a testament to the port’s ceaseless pursuit of excellence in cargo management, reaffirming its pivotal role in catalyzing the vibrant tapestry of trade and commerce in the Indian subcontinent.

By facilitating the seamless flow of goods and commodities, Mundra Port has proven itself to be an invaluable contributor to the nation’s economic engine. With this record-breaking performance, it has underlined its unwavering commitment to advancing India’s economic interests and bolstering its position on the world stage. Mundra Port’s success story is not merely a triumph for a single entity; it is a celebration of India’s journey towards becoming a global trade powerhouse.

Xpressbees, a Logistics Unicorn, Records a Significant Increase in FY23 Loss

Xpressbees, a prominent player in the logistics industry and considered a unicorn, has reported a substantial surge in its fiscal year 2023 losses. The company’s losses have escalated by more than 500%, reaching a staggering figure of INR 180 crores. This development in the company’s financials highlights the challenges and volatility in the logistics sector.

As Xpressbees grapples with these financial setbacks, the broader context of India’s logistics and freight industry is being closely examined. Unlocking India’s freight potential has been a key focus in recent years, as the nation’s growing e-commerce and trade sectors place increasing demands on the logistics and supply chain network. Xpressbees’ struggles may serve as a microcosm of the wider issues facing the industry as it strives to optimize its operations and meet the evolving needs of a dynamic market.

In the coming months, it will be critical for Xpressbees and other logistics companies to adapt, innovate, and streamline their operations to not only reduce losses but also to better harness India’s freight potential. This evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for logistics players, making efficient and cost-effective solutions more vital than ever.