In a geographically vast and diverse market like India, manufacturing hubs are often located far from major export gateways and consumer markets. This physical distance creates logistical challenges that can increase transportation costs and extend delivery timelines. Experts note that improving coordination between different transport modes is critical to overcoming these challenges and ensuring smoother movement of goods across the country.

Industry analysts say that multimodal logistics systems can significantly reduce transit times, optimize freight movement, and lower overall logistics costs. By allowing goods to move efficiently through interconnected transport networks, such systems also help businesses improve supply chain reliability and operational efficiency.

As India seeks to strengthen its position in global manufacturing and trade, the development of integrated logistics infrastructure is expected to play a crucial role in supporting domestic producers as well as exporters. Better connectivity between industrial clusters, logistics hubs, and ports can help unlock growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of Indian goods in international markets.

Arvind Devaraj, COO, NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL)

Why Multimodal Matters for India

India’s logistics costs have historically been higher than global averages due to fragmented transport modes and an overreliance on road freight. Integrating multiple modes such as rail and waterways with trucking helps utilise the cost and fuel efficiency of rail for long distances while retaining the flexibility of roads for first/last-mile delivery. This balance is vital for connecting hinterland production centres with ports and urban markets.

Digital Enablement Strengthening Multimodal Efficiency

Alongside physical infrastructure, digital integration is becoming a critical enabler of multimodal efficiency. The Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) facilitates secure, API-based data exchange across government systems and logistics stakeholders, enabling real-time visibility and interoperable coordination across transport modes.

The Logistics Data Bank (LDB) enhances container-level tracking across ports, ICDs, and rail networks, improving transparency in EXIM cargo movement and reducing uncertainty in intermodal transfers. Complementing this, the Track Your Transport (TYT) application supports vehicle and cargo visibility, compliance verification, and trip-level monitoring, strengthening first- and last-mile connectivity within multimodal chains.

Together, these digital interventions help reduce information asymmetry, improve planning accuracy, and support intelligence-led logistics management across interconnected transport networks.

Connecting Growth Markets with Export Gateways

For India’s growth markets including electronics, automotive, textiles, and perishables multimodal logistics bridges the gap between producers and global supply chains. By linking manufacturing clusters in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with major ports and inland logistics hubs, multimodal systems help reduce both transit time and inventory costs for exporters, making Indian products more competitive internationally.

Government Initiatives Supporting Integration

Policy measures have played an important role in scaling multimodal logistics in India. The National Logistics Policy (NLP) and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aim to unify planning across ministries and projects, creating digital infrastructure and physical connectivity to support multimodal operations. The development of Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) is central to this vision, bringing rail, road, and ports into shared hubs with tracking and handling facilities designed to streamline freight movement.

Benefits for Regional and Small-Scale Markets

Efficient multimodal logistics can significantly benefit regional and smaller markets that are otherwise cost-constrained. By reducing reliance on costly long-haul trucking and encouraging rail and waterways usage, producers in interior regions gain better access to national and international markets at competitive freight rates, improving profitability and spurring local economic growth.

Challenges on the Path to Seamless Integration

Despite progress, multimodal logistics in India faces persistent challenges. Infrastructure bottlenecks such as port congestion, limited inland waterway capacity, and uneven intermodal terminals constrain seamless transfers. Regulatory complexity across agencies and states also adds to delays and costs, and uneven technology adoption among smaller operators hinders real-time visibility and coordination. Addressing these hurdles is essential to fully realise the potential of multimodal networks.

A Strategic Lever for Sustainability and Growth

Beyond economic efficiency, multimodal logistics supports sustainability goals by enabling a shift away from carbon-intensive road freight towards greener alternatives like rail and waterways. This transition is critical for India’s commitments to reduce emissions and build resilient supply chains. Furthermore, smarter modal integration can help reduce urban congestion and create more predictable transit times, benefiting industries and consumers alike.

Conclusion
Multimodal logistics holds the promise of transforming India’s logistics landscape by bridging the efficiency gap between its growth markets and the broader economy. Through strategic infrastructure development, policy harmonisation, and technology adoption, India can reduce logistics costs, enhance connectivity, and strengthen its role in global supply chains. However, sustained focus on addressing structural bottlenecks from regulatory simplification to last-mile connectivity will be crucial to ensure that multimodal logistics not only bridges gaps on paper but delivers measurable gains on the ground.

About Mitsubishi Logisnext Asia Pacific

We are part of Mitsubishi Logisnext that operate globally, based in Kyoto, Japan with presence in Asia, EAME, the Americas, and the Pacific, the Group has a rich history of innovation and is now further strengthening its position as a leading provider of materials handling solutions.

Mitsubishi Logisnext Asia Pacific offers scalable solutions from material handling and extensive fleet support. Headquartered in Singapore, it offers a complete portfolio of advanced counterbalanced, warehouse and automation products and solutions. Other brands in the Mitsubishi Logisnext Asia Pacific portfolio include Cat^® Lift Trucks, TCM, UniCarriers and Nichiyu. All products are backed by an extensive dealer network of 98 dealer locations offering industry-leading customer service and product support.

For more information, visit www.logisnext.com.sg

Speaking at a session on Gati Shakti, Shri Sagar Rameshrao Kadu, Director (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, said, “The government is focused on developing a tech-enabled, efficient logistics ecosystem. Under PM Gati Shakti, the emphasis is on strengthening infrastructure, improving road speed, enhancing multimodal connectivity, and increasing modal shift in the rail segment. These interventions are critical to reducing logistics costs and building a more efficient national supply chain. While Tier 1 cities have driven growth so far, the next phase will depend on improving connectivity and logistics support facilities in Tier 2, Tier 3 and rural markets.”

The day-long discussions explored the key trends shaping India’s digital commerce landscape and how sellers and brands can leverage connected commerce to unlock the country’s projected $300 billion opportunity by 2030. The sessions focused on policy alignment, strategic investment and innovation to accelerate growth and strengthen supply chains under the Viksit Bharat vision. Infrastructure transformation remained central, highlighting e-commerce’s role in retail logistics modernisation, smart infrastructure development, multimodal integration across rail, road, maritime and air networks, and first- and last-mile optimisation through technology-enabled visibility. The event also explored inclusive customer experiences and trust-building measures to expand demand and integrate the next wave of digital consumers into the formal economy.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the BCG Industry Report in the presence of representatives from BCG, DPIIT and IAMAI, outlining the structural drivers shaping India’s connected commerce ecosystem.

The conference featured participation from senior leaders across government, consulting and industry, including Dr. Abhay Sinha, Director General, Service Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce; Ms. Parul Bajaj, MD & Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG); Ms. Kanika Sanghi, Partner and Director, Center for Customer Insight, BCG; Ms. Athira Asokan, Partner, BCG; Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Vice President, Tata 1mg; Mr. Akshansh Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, iTV Network; Ms. Archana Jahagirdar, Founder & Managing Partner, Rukam Capital; Mr. Bharat Sethi, Founder & Angel Investor, Rage Coffee; Mr. Lloyd Mathias, Angel Investor & Business Strategist; Mr. Anil K Mishra, National Logistics Head, pladis Global; Mr. Kishore Lanka, Director – India Operations, Amazon Shipping, Amazon Freight & Amazon Air Cargo; Mr. Rashul Jain, Global Practice Head – Railways, Maritime & Logistics, Tech Mahindra; Mr. Harshit Vij, Co-Founder, Freecultr; Ms. Nikita Singh Malhotra, Head of Digital, Woodland; Mr. Satish Meena, Founder, Datum Intelligence; and Mr. T.K. Arun, Senior Journalist.

The conference reinforced that digital commerce is no longer merely a retail growth story but a strategic enabler of infrastructure modernization and logistics transformation. As India advances toward a more integrated and technology-driven supply chain ecosystem, the convergence of innovation, capital and logistics integration under the Gati Shakti framework will be central to building a resilient, efficient and globally competitive commerce ecosystem.

About IAMAI
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body with more than 750 members, including Indian and multinational corporations, as well as start-ups. IAMAI has been instrumental in shaping India’s digital economy. IAMAI advocates free and fair competition, and progressive and enabling laws for businesses as well as for consumers. The overarching objective of IAMAI is to ensure the progress of the internet and the digital economy. Its major areas of activities are public policy and advocacy, business to business conferences, research, promotion of start-ups and promotion of consumer trust and safety.

Official Go-live of Microsoft Business Central ERP at Novelty Logistics

The integration marks a significant advancement in Novelty Logistics’ digital transformation journey, enhancing operational efficiency, supply chain visibility, and customer service across the Gulf region. The Microsoft ERP system is designed to streamline processes, enable data-driven decision-making, and strengthen the company’s agility in a competitive market.

“We are thrilled to partner with Novelty Logistics on this transformative project. Our expertise in digital transformation enabled Novelty Logistics to take a significant leap in becoming a more agile and responsive organisation,” commented CA Pawan Kumar Rastogi, Director, VTS Infosoft Pvt Ltd. “This integration also marks a milestone in our strategic expansion into the GCC region, reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative solutions and driving growth across global markets.”

Mr Abdul Majeed, Managing Director at Novelty Logistics, stated, “Harnessing technology to fuel innovation and set new standards of excellence in logistics is the way forward in today’s era. With the new ERP system, we are empowered to deliver unmatched customer service and accelerate our expansion across the region with greater speed and confidence.”

Representing Novelty Logistics Group, Founder Partners Hani Hassan Ali Al-Ghamdi and Abdulla Al Harthi stated, “At Novelty Logistics, the idea of driving innovation and excellence has always been central. We continue to seek ways to deliver seamless transportation and logistics solutions and elevate customer satisfaction. The ERP integration is a strategic step in that direction, and we are excited about the positive impact it will bring to our operations and overall customer experience.”

Abdulla Al Harthi further emphasized, “We are elated to have achieved this milestone and appreciate the efforts of the VTS Infosoft team led by Rahul Agarwal- Practice Head. This is a significant step toward our goal of becoming a leading logistics provider in the Middle East & India.”

About Novelty Logistics

Novelty Logistics is a global transportation & logistics company with a strong presence across the Gulf region. With a focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence, Novelty Logistics continues to expand its footprint and deliver world-class logistics solutions.

Website: www.noveltylogistics.com.

About VTS Infosoft Pvt Ltd

VTS Infosoft Pvt Ltd is a trusted digital transformation partner specializing in ERP implementations, enterprise solutions, and technology-driven innovation. With expertise across industries, VTS Infosoft empowers organizations to achieve agility, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Website: vtsinfosoft.com.

Ramkumar Senthilvel, Promoter and Managing Director, Glottis Logistics

With capital expenditure set at INR 12.2 lakh crore for FY27, the Centre has reinforced its commitment to multimodal logistics integration, port-linked industrial corridors and inland freight networks. For organised logistics operators, these investments are expected to gradually reduce structural costs and improve transit predictability — key variables in an increasingly volatile global trade environment.

Glottis, which provides end-to-end ocean, air and road freight services along with customs brokerage and warehousing solutions, handled over ~110,000 TEUs in FY25 and served nearly 1,900 clients across renewable energy, engineering, high-technology and commodity sectors.

In FY25, the company reported a Debt-to-Equity ratio of 0.23x which signals strong balance sheet health enabling aggressive growth pursuits, and through its disciplined capital deployment and operational efficiency has delivered Return on Equity (ROE) of 57.4% and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of 73.1%.

Building on that base, Glottis has outlined capital expenditure of approximately INR 130 crore toward acquiring trailers and container assets. The objective is to increase owned capacity, reduce dependence on third-party equipment and strengthen execution control across trade corridors.

“Budget 2026–27 may not announce large short-term incentives, but it strengthens the backbone of trade through infrastructure and customs efficiency,” said Ramkumar Senthilvel, Promoter and Managing Director, Glottis Logistics. “For logistics companies, predictability and execution will increasingly determine competitiveness. Aligning capital allocation with structural reforms is essential for sustainable growth.”

The government’s emphasis on dedicated freight connectivity, coastal shipping and multimodal integration is expected to benefit asset-backed operators that can optimise routes and improve utilisation rates. Expansion of logistics infrastructure into Tier-II and Tier-III clusters may also support distributed manufacturing growth, potentially broadening cargo flows beyond traditional metropolitan gateways.

Alongside physical infrastructure, customs digitisation measures — including electronic cargo sealing, expanded non-intrusive inspection systems and extended duty deferment for Authorised Economic Operators — aim to shorten clearance timelines and ease working capital pressures for exporters and intermediaries.

Industry executives note that time compression in border processes can be as significant as freight cost reductions, particularly as global supply chains adjust to geopolitical shifts and sourcing diversification.

Glottis has continued to expand its footprint across industrial corridors, including the launch of a new Ahmedabad branch in January 2026 to align with western port-led growth zones. The company has been delivering steady performance, supported by diversification across transport modes and strong regional trade linkages. 

While global trade volumes remain uneven due to inventory corrections and demand shifts, infrastructure-led reforms are expected to strengthen India’s long-term export competitiveness. For logistics operators, the transition signals a shift from incentive-driven growth to efficiency-led scale.

Infrastructure investment may not generate immediate stimulus-driven gains. But over time, it reshapes cost structures, execution reliability and global positioning. For Glottis Logistics, the strategy is clear: invest in assets, maintain balance-sheet discipline and align expansion with a trade ecosystem increasingly defined by operational strength rather than incentives.

About Glottis Logistics
Glottis Logistics is a global freight forwarding and supply chain solutions provider, headquartered in Chennai, India. Founded in 2004, the company brings over two decades of expertise in delivering reliable and efficient logistics services across air, sea, and land transport.

With a skilled and dedicated team, Glottis Logistics offers end-to-end logistics support, including freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing, 3PL solutions, and multimodal transport. The company’s integrated solutions are designed to simplify complex supply chain challenges and ensure secure, on-time deliveries for businesses of all sizes — from local enterprises to global enterprises.

Leveraging a strong pan-India network and global partnerships, Glottis Logistics combines operational precision with transparency and customer-focused service to drive performance and growth in domestic and international trade.

Website: www.glottislogistics.in.

The company posted Rs. 70 crore profit after tax for the quarter ended December 2025. Revenue from operations for the period stood at Rs. 1,616 crore. Performance during the quarter was supported by stable domestic demand and disciplined cost management.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, said: “Our Q3 performance reflects resilient domestic demand, with meaningful contributions from Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets and steady SME shipment activity, supported by strong execution discipline across the network. As we move into 2026, the outlook for the logistics sector remains positive, aided by supply-chain formalisation, sustained consumption momentum, and sector-wide infrastructure development. With continued investments in network capabilities, digital solutions, and operational optimisation, we remain focused on supporting the evolving logistics needs of our customers.”

During the quarter, Blue Dart continued to invest selectively in strengthening its operational and customer-facing capabilities as part of its long-term capacity-building strategy. The company operationalised its Flagship Green Integrated Ground Hub at Pataudi, Haryana, enhancing line-haul connectivity, network efficiency, and service reliability across North India. In parallel, the launch of the Digital Account Opening (DAO) platform further streamlined customer onboarding, particularly for SMEs by enabling faster, paperless access to Blue Dart’s express logistics services. Sustainability also remained a key focus, with continued emphasis on responsible operations and efficiency initiatives aligned with reducing environmental impact across the network.

Looking ahead, Blue Dart remains focused on disciplined growth, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation. With ongoing investments in network resilience, digital capabilities, and service quality, the company is well positioned to navigate evolving market dynamics while delivering consistent value to customers, employees, and shareholders.

Truck vehicle with trailers background 

While purchasing provides ownership and long-term cost savings, leasing offers flexibility, fixed expenses, and ready access to newer models. Understanding the financial and operational impacts of each option is essential for any company looking to minimise cost while ensuring business productivity.

Benefits of Leasing vs. Buying Commercial Vehicles in India  
Buying a commercial vehicle entails complete ownership. The company either pays cash for it or takes a loan, after which the commercial vehicle becomes an asset on the firm's balance sheet. Additionally, ownership involves total control over usage, maintenance cycles, and possible alterations to meet business requirements.  

On the other hand, leasing is similar to renting a truck for a specified period, typically 2 to 5 years. The company makes periodic fixed monthly payments, possibly with maintenance and repair services, minimising the threat of unforeseen costs. This model offers operating flexibility and low, fixed costs, which attract companies with less cash flow or economic volatility.

Key Cost Components of Owning a Commercial Vehicle
Purchasing one or more commercial vehicles is a major investment. From financing and insurance to maintenance and depreciation, every aspect contributes to shaping the total cost and profitability of running a fleet. Here are the key cost components: 

• Initial Purchase Price

The initial purchase cost serves as the basis for ownership expenses. It encompasses the total price of the vehicle or down payment when financing with a loan. Although a lower initial price is desirable, one must also consider the vehicle's reliability, effectiveness, and long-term durability. 

A higher-cost but more effective and reliable vehicle can reduce running costs in the long run. The purchase cost also affects other monetary factors, such as depreciation and insurance premiums.

• EMI Payments or Loan Interest

Monthly EMI payments and interest have a substantial impact on total spending for businesses that buy commercial vehicles on finance. The loan period, interest rate, and down payment percentage determine the overall cost incurred above the vehicle's base price. 
For example, a Rs. 10 lakh loan taken at 9% interest for five years incurs an additional interest of around Rs. 2.4 lakh. 

• Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Insurance is not only mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act but also an important financial protection. Commercial vehicle insurance guards against damage, theft, and third-party claims. Premiums vary according to vehicle type, usage, engine power, and coverage type. Opting for an insurance plan provides financial stability and peace of mind in the event of mishaps. 

• Maintenance and Repairs

Maintenance and repair costs form a major portion of recurring ownership expenses. Regular maintenance, component replacement, and unexpected repairs ensure vehicles are running safely and in optimal condition. 

• Depreciation

Depreciation is the decline in a vehicle's market value over time and is one of the most significant components of TCO calculation. Commercial vehicles in India usually depreciate by 15–20% in the first few years, depending on usage and maintenance, and after five years, the residual value is typically negotiated between the owner and the insurer. 

• Taxes and Permits

All commercial vehicles in India are subject to state-specific taxation and permit regulations. Such taxes and permits include road tax, registration charges, and commercial permits, which differ from state to state. In addition, vehicles are subject to periodic costs such as pollution testing, green tax, and fitness certification after 15 years of service. 

Key Cost Components of Renting or Leasing Commercial Vehicles
Discussed below are the primary cost components associated with leasing or renting commercial vehicles:

• Monthly Lease/Rental Payments

Monthly rental or lease payments constitute the bulk of commercial truck leasing charges. Payments are usually fixed, allowing businesses to better control budgets. However, rates vary depending on vehicle type, lease term, and mileage restrictions. Hence, it is vital to compare prior to agreeing to contracts.

• Insurance under Rental Agreements

Insurance coverage is generally required under most rental or leasing agreements. Based on the policies of the leasing company, you can go for third-party commercial insurance or comprehensive truck insurance.  

The former covers damages to third-party vehicles and property, while comprehensive insurance provides financial security in case of accidents, theft, or damage to your own vehicle, as well as third-party liability. 

Additionally, in some cases, commercial insurance may be bundled into the leasing costs. Thus, it’s crucial to check the components of your lease payments before opting for an agreement. 

• Maintenance and Downtime Costs

Maintenance is frequently included in the leasing company, which lessens the financial burden on companies. However, unplanned downtime or slow repair can still affect productivity and contribute to indirect losses. Having a rental partner with effective maintenance assistance and replacement vehicle facilities can reduce these problems.

• No Depreciation or Market Risk

One of the key financial benefits of leasing or renting commercial vehicles is the lack of depreciation and resale risks. Companies can upgrade or return vehicles at the end of the lease period without concern for asset value decrease or market volatility. This gives way to more agile fleet management and cost predictability.

• Hidden or End-of-Term Costs

Though leasing might seem economical in the beginning, there can be extra costs in the form of excess mileage charges, wear-and-tear charges, or administration fees that raise the overall bill. Careful reading of the lease contract helps avoid any shocks at the time of renewal and enables more effective management of commercial vehicle rental charges.

Cost Comparison: Renting vs Buying Commercial Vehicles

When deciding between buying and renting commercial vehicles, businesses need to weigh financial flexibility against long-term value. The comparison below highlights the key cost factors for both options in simple terms:

From the above discussions, hopefully, you have gotten your answer on the effectiveness of renting vs buying commercial vehicles. Purchase when your trucks operate set routes every day, and you prefer ownership and long-term retention. On the other hand, lease when flexibility, stable monthly expenses, and access to newer fleets are most important. 

Estonia Ambassador to India - H.E. Ms. Marje Luup with Estonian Company Saku Brewery and Indian counterpart HS Oberoi Spirits

One of the delegates - Saku Brewery’s Export Manager, Margus Masing, the company’s collaboration with India began through the strong support of KredEx, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS), and the Estonian Embassy in India.

“I would like to extend special thanks to the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, KredEx, and Ambassador Marje Luup, who place great value on the success of Estonia’s food and beverage industry and strongly support the promotion of domestic exports. Thanks to their efforts, the cooperation between Saku Brewery and HS Oberoi Spirits became a reality,” said Masing.

He highlighted that the partnership with HS Oberoi Spirits has progressed very successfully. “Our collaboration with HS Oberoi Spirits has been excellent — the first container of Saku products arrived in India in July, and another order is already awaiting shipment. At the moment, Saku products are available in the Delhi region, but HS Oberoi Spirits is strongly committed to building our brands across India. Our shared goal is to expand into additional cities and regions. India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets, and we are delighted that Saku products are now available there, with local consumers appreciating our packaging, distinctive flavours, and high quality,” explained Margus Masing.

As per Indian counterpart, HS Oberoi Spirits – the role of Estonia Trade Office and equal zeal from Estonian F&B companies brought Estonia’s historic Saku Brewery to India through its partnership with HS Oberoi Spirits. The collaboration stands as a strong early example of the value that shared heritage, craftsmanship, and open trade can create between the two nations. HS Oberoi Spirits is a strategic import and distribution partner committed to building long-term, value-driven collaborations between global beverage brands and the Indian market.

Hardarshan Singh Oberoi, Founder, HS Oberoi Spirits, said, “We are delighted to support this growing relationship between India and Estonia. Partnerships like these celebrate craftsmanship, culture, and shared ambition — and we look forward to building many more meaningful stories together.”

Manveer Singh Oberoi, Founder, HS Oberoi Spirits, said, “Indian consumers today value authenticity and thoughtful product narratives. Collaborating with Estonia allows us to bring distinctive global experiences to India’s evolving premium beverage landscape.”

Further joint initiatives and category-building programs are expected to be explored in the coming months as both countries work toward expanding commercial and cultural engagement.

Rhenus exchanged an MoU with Inland Waterways Authority Of India (IWAI) for the construction and operation of tug-barge vessels to enable cargo movement across National Waterways NW-1, NW-2, NW-16, and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. Vivek Arya, CEO of Rhenus India also shared his insights on logistics as a panelist in a conference discussion session. These were among the highlights in the India Maritime Week 2025’s participation.

Held in late October 2025, the India Maritime Week was a biennial global maritime event which brought together leaders from the maritime industry, governments, innovators, investors, and stakeholders from over 100 countries. It was hosted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and organized by the Indian Ports Association (IPA).

The MoU with IWAI will see Rhenus India operate barge services on various local routes, gradually expanding to other national waterways. A combination of pushers and barges, suited for low-draft navigation, will transport Bulk and Break-Bulk cargo across North & East India, North-East India, and eventually to neighbouring countries. With 1,000 vessels operating daily on European waterways, Rhenus will leverage its Port Logistics expertise and European Waterways fleet to support India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector.

Vivek Arya, CEO of Rhenus India, was also a panelist, discussing the topic of "Reviving Veins of Inland Trade". Hosted by the Inland Waterways Authority Of India (IWAI), the discussions explored strategies to revitalize riverine logistics, integrate inland routes into national supply chains, and promote environment friendly cargo movement. The discussion revolved around India’s inland waterways emerging as a game-changer in the country’s transport and logistics landscape. With government initiatives like Sagarmala and Jal Marg Vikas Project driving infrastructure development, waterways offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional modes of transport.

Rhenus India also showcased their services with a dedicated booth in the exhibition hall, during the conference days.

Tobias Bartz, CEO of the Rhenus Group, “Waterways are becoming one of India’s most important drivers of trade and regional transformation. Strengthening the Inland Water Transport network is a long-term opportunity for the country – and a strategic priority for us as Rhenus. Our collaboration with IWAI reflects our commitment to developing efficient, scalable and sustainable transport corridors that connect regions, industries and communities across the subcontinent.” 

Vivek Arya said, “India’s maritime sector is on a transformative journey, with port capacity doubling, cargo volumes surging, and inland waterways emerging as a green, efficient alternative. As the future of logistics in India looks to be multimodal and sustainable, Rhenus is proud to be part of this movement enabling smarter, cleaner, and more connected supply chains across India.”

Since its founding in 1912, Rhenus has built its legacy in inland navigation along the Rhine, evolving into a global logistics provider with strengths in barge shipping, warehousing, road, rail, air, and ocean freight.

About Rhenus

The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 41,000 employees work at 1,330 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.

Ramkrishna Kamath and Monish Nandi, inaugurating the new electric vehicles, purchased with a donation from FedEx

As part of this year’s support, FedEx has funded four electric vehicles (EVs)—two in Panvel, Maharashtra and two in Delhi—dedicated to delivering freshly prepared, hygienic meals to students in government and government-aided schools. Each EV enables the delivery of over 250,000 meals annually, reaching an equivalent number of children depending on route logistics.

Ramesh Chavan and Monish Nandi, inaugurating the new electric vehicles, purchased with a donation from FedEx

Since the beginning of the collaboration in 2022, the initiative has cumulatively supported the delivery of nearly one million mid-day meals across multiple cities. By replacing conventional fuel vehicles, these EVs help The Akshaya Patra Foundation reduce carbon emissions and lower operating costs, allowing more resources to be directed toward expanding meal distribution.

Through the fuel savings alone, The Akshaya Patra Foundation has been able to support an additional 130,000+ meals, amplifying the programme’s reach while contributing to its long-term sustainability. This transition supports The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s long-term sustainability goals by integrating climate-conscious practices into its mission of nourishing children’s futures.

Suvendu Choudhury, Vice President of operations and planning and engineering, India, FedEx, said, “At FedEx, we believe access, whether to markets, opportunities, or nutrition, can transform lives. Our collaboration with The Akshaya Patra Foundation reflects how logistics innovation can advance social progress, helping children access nutritious meals through cleaner, more efficient delivery solutions. By integrating EVs into this initiative, we’re strengthening community infrastructure while contributing to India’s sustainability goals.”

Mr. Dhananjay Ganjoo, CMO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation "We are grateful to FedEx for their sustained commitment to our mission of nourishing children and empowering education. By integrating sustainable mobility solutions like electric vehicles with mid-day meal service, this collaboration not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also aligns with a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we are ensuring that every meal delivered is a step towards nurturing healthier, more capable citizens of tomorrow."

Through purpose-driven efforts like this, FedEx and The Akshaya Patra Foundation are demonstrating how innovation in logistics can create measurable social impact—bridging the gap between nutrition and learning, and advocating for scalable, sustainable public feeding programmes that support India’s inclusive growth.

About FedEx

FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world through a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. Its commitment to innovation and technology extends to fostering partnerships that empower the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs.

Read the 2025 FedEx Economic Impact Report here.

About The Akshaya Patra Foundation

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a social impact organisation committed to addressing classroom hunger and supporting children’s health and education. As an implementing partner of the Government of India’s PM POSHAN scheme, Akshaya Patra serves 2.35 million mid-day meals to beneficiary children across 25,000+ schools. Additionally, it provides 8 lakh servings under the Morning Nutrition Programme, contributing to improved child health, increased school enrolment, attendance and retention, and better learning outcomes.

Akshaya Patra has established a robust operational network, currently functioning in 78 locations across 16 states and 3 union territories. It has set up 76 state-of-the-art centralised kitchens—globally recognised for their scale, efficiency and food safety standards—and adopted the decentralised model in two locations where setting up centralised infrastructure is difficult due to difficult terrain and road connectivity.

Akshaya Patra continuously forges partnerships and leverages technology to cater to millions of children and has served over 4 billion meals since 2000. The momentous milestone was commemorated at a special event at the UN headquarters in New York on 2 April 2024.

For more details, please log on: www.akshayapatra.org

Blue Dart Express Ltd. Announces Q2FY26 Financial Results

The company posted Rs. 79.50 crore profit after tax for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Revenue from operations for the period stood at Rs.  1,549 crore. During the quarter, the company continued to strengthen its network capacity through strategic investments in ground hubs and automation, enhancing scalability, speed, and service accuracy. 

Commenting on the company’s financial result, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said, “Our quarterly performance reflects resilience in a dynamic and evolving environment, reinforcing the strength of our business model and our agility in responding to market shifts. Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the structural opportunities within India’s logistics landscape driven by rising consumption, increased manufacturing localisation, and the growing adoption of organised supply chain solutions. Furthermore, the rollout of GST 2.0 is expected to boost public consumption, providing a positive impetus to the logistics sector and reinforcing Blue Dart’s role as a key enabler of trade and connectivity.”

As part of its strategic growth agenda, Blue Dart recently announced two significant initiatives: the launch of a Digital Account Opening platform, enabling businesses of all sizes to onboard and start shipping in under 10 minutes; and the unveiling of a flagship Green Integrated Ground Hub at Pataudi, Haryana, designed to boost the company’s express network with sustainable, technology-enabled infrastructure. Together, these initiatives reflect Blue Dart’s ongoing investments in digitalisation, green logistics, and customer-centric solutions thus cementing its role as the preferred logistics partner for India’s growth journey.

On the left: Mr. Balfour Manuel, Managing Director of Blue Dart; On the Right: Mr. Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL E-commerce
 

Strategically located 50 km from New Delhi airport, the Pataudi hub offers seamless multimodal connectivity with Delhi-NCR and key national expressways. Its location enables Centre of Gravity optimization, reducing vehicle movement by 30% and improving throughput speed by 10%, making it a critical logistics hub for North India.
 

Spanning 50,558 sqm, the facility integrates e-commerce, domestic express, and ground shipments under one consolidated operation. With an auto sorter capacity of 200,000 shipments per day and the ability to handle 2,283 tons daily, the Pataudi hub is future-ready till 2033, built with advanced automation, motorized conveyors, and streamlined load handovers that cut dwell time and boost throughput by 10-15%.
 

Commenting on the launch, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said, “The North Integrated Ground Hub is a symbol of sustainability, automation, and scalability, we are enabling faster, more reliable deliveries for our customers while supporting India’s economic and environmental goals. As we continue to expand our network with such state-of-the-art facilities, Blue Dart remains committed to being the Provider of Choice for businesses and communities across the country. This milestone strengthens our role as a trade facilitator, advancing our promise of speed, resilience, and sustainable growth.”
 

The hub has been designed with GoGreen initiatives at its core, including a 600 KVA rooftop solar plant, onsite EV charging, and natural skylights to reduce energy consumption. By consolidating operations and reducing vehicle trips, the facility significantly lowers fuel use and emissions, reinforcing Blue Dart’s commitment to its 2050 net-zero target.
 

With over 250 ground network routes, eight dedicated freighters, and nationwide reach to over 19,000 pin codes, Blue Dart continues to expand its infrastructure to support India’s growing logistics demand. The launch of the Pataudi facility reaffirms Blue Dart’s leadership in sustainable, technology-enabled, and reliable express logistics solutions for the country.

L-R: Dipanjan Banerjee, CCO, Blue Dart; Balfour Manuel, MD, Blue Dart; Manoj Madhavan, CIO, Blue Dart; Pablo Ciano, CEO, DHL eCommerce; and Ryan Hunter, CCO, DHL eCommerce
 

The DAO platform will power businesses and fuel their growth by enabling them to open accounts anytime, anywhere, through a seamless five-stage digital journey: profile creation, plan selection, KYC verification, Aadhaar-enabled agreement signing, and prepaid card recharge. Once complete, customers can immediately begin shipping using their Digital Prepaid Card (DPC), while every interaction is intelligently tracked and supported in real time by Blue Dart’s system.
 

To make the onboarding process more engaging, customers gain early access to Blue Dart’s customer dashboard, offering control of the company’s tools and services to enrich a customer’s shipping experience. Post onboarding, they can choose from three pre-defined shipping plans or opt for a customized plan tailored to their business needs.
 

Commenting on the launch, Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart Express, said, “The launch of our Digital Account Opening Journey marks a pivotal step in simplifying logistics for businesses of every scale. By reducing onboarding time from days to minutes, we are empowering MSMEs, e-commerce sellers, and growing enterprises to ship faster and more seamlessly. This innovation reflects our commitment to digital transformation, customer-centricity, and future-ready logistics solutions.”
 

The DAO Journey is now live at www.bluedart.com. Businesses can easily access the platform via the ‘Open Your Account’ section on the website and start shipping instantly. Successful sign-ups also receive a digital welcome kit, underscoring Blue Dart’s commitment to transparency and trust from the very first step. With this launch, Blue Dart continues to strengthen its position as the Provider of Choice, leading with technology-driven innovations that simplify shipping and deliver excellence at every step.

Under the scheme, customers can avail:

• Up to 40% off on domestic gift shipments weighing 2–10 kg (applicable on Domestic Priority services).

• Up to 60% off on international, non-document gift shipments at 3 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, and 25 kg slabs to key markets.

“With ‘Diwali Express’, we’re enabling customers and businesses to share festive cheer with reliable, on-time deliveries at compelling rates,” said Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer at Blue Dart. “Coupled with Blue Dart’s extensive reach and time-definite services, this promotion ensures gifts arrive swiftly and securely across India and overseas.”

Blue Dart services reach over 56,400 locations in India and 220 countries and territories worldwide, supporting popular festive shipments such as hampers, sweets, apparel and curated gifts. The offer is available across all Blue Dart retail stores and via home pick-up at no additional charge.

How to book:
Call 1860 233 1234, email customerservice@bluedart.com, website www.bluedart.com  or visit the nearest Blue Dart store.

Terms & conditions:
Offer applicable on eligible Domestic Priority and international non-document shipments only; destination availability, weight slabs, and discounts vary by route. Standard regulatory requirements, security checks and surcharges apply. T&Cs apply.

Mr. Ankit Agarwal Founder & CEO

The UAE’s expat-majority population—80% made up of non-nationals—creates unique demand for Indian products, however attempts at direct market entry can be expensive and logistically complex. Even a basic level operations which would include establishing a proper company, following all the regulations, manpower visa, hiring & salary costs, warehouse setup & logistics etc. can require an investment in excess of 250,000 AED. This investment might turn out to be a steep amount for many emerging D2C brands, thus becoming a barrier towards their entry to the UAE and broader gulf market.

EcomBridge’s Game-Changing Approach
EcomBridge negates these friction points by providing local warehousing, managing legal compliance, VAT registration, customs clearance, and listing optimization on top marketplaces such as Amazon, Noon, Namshi etc. Brands work with dedicated category managers who handle sales operations, creative optimization, and logistics—eliminating the need for sellers to form a local entity or invest in leased storage and on-ground staff.

The end result: Indian brands launch and start selling within weeks, not months, operating seamlessly as local UAE businesses. The company equips sellers with regional market insights, ensuring their product listings are tuned for local search behaviours and translated to Arabic where needed, maximizing visibility and cultural resonance.

What the Experts Say
EcomBridge Founder and CEO, Mr. Ankit Agarwal, summarized the vision in a recent interview, “Our goal is to empower Global brands with world-class market access, while making expansion low-risk and almost instantaneous. By blending operations with strategy, and leveraging tech and smart execution, we ensure brands can scale globally without losing their local identity. EcomBridge’s ‘growth blueprint’ eliminates the usual pain points, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best—innovate and serve customers—while we handle the complexities of international trade.”

Agarwal further highlights that the EcomBridge revenue-share partnership model aligns incentives, making both parties equally invested in sustained growth and customer success—turning international expansion from a financial risk into a strategic advantage.

Advantages for Brands

• Zero Setup Cost: Businesses skip Dubai licensing and company formation, drastically cutting overhead.

• Rapid Launch: Inventory is sourced and online within weeks, allowing for fast expansion and ROI.

• Full Compliance: EcomBridge handles all regulatory, VAT, and customs processes, preventing delays and costly penalties.

• Scalability: The platform flexibly caters to both small startups and regional players, letting them scale their presence as demand grows.

The UAE e-commerce sector, expected to cross $17 billion in 2025, offers a vibrant market with premium pricing and high online order values—often exceeding AED 150. EcomBridge’s integrated support maximizes brand reach, customer trust, and repeat business, making it the local accelerator and safety net for bold Indian expansion.

Indian brands in snacks, fashion, home décor, and wellness can now explore effortless regional growth. Interested businesses can connect with EcomBridge at www.EcomBridge.ai for onboarding and a strategic, risk-free journey beyond borders.

Namma Yatri, India’s first ride-hailing app built on an open network and known for its commitment to transparency and fairness, has announced a strategic partnership with Truecaller, the global leader in verified communication, to power seamless and trusted interactions between drivers, riders, and support agents.

With mobility being an essential everyday service, Namma Yatri recognizes that trusted communication is the backbone of timely pickups, reliable support, and smooth coordination between riders and auto drivers.

In an industry where every second counts, Namma Yatri is elevating the way drivers, riders, and support teams communicate by leveraging Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution, including Verified Business Caller ID, Business Profile, Video Caller ID, and most notably, localized Call Reason. Along with this, they are also leveraging Truecaller’s One Tap-OTP-Less Login and SDK integration for vernacular number verification pop-ups, ensuring secure, seamless, and hyperlocal onboarding for users in Tier II cities where Namma Yatri offers its ride services. Through this, the platform is transforming critical customer touchpoints into secure, branded, and contextual conversations.

With Truecaller Customer Experience Solution, Namma Yatri customers can now see the brand’s name, logo, and verification badge when receiving a call, removing ambiguity and significantly increasing calling efficiency and user experience.

What truly sets this partnership apart is the platform’s focus on hyperlocal engagement. For its customer support use case, Namma Yatri has introduced a Kannada Call Reason, which appears on the user’s phone even before the call is answered.

About Namma Yatri

Namma Yatri, a driver-first, zero-commission mobility platform, continues to redefine urban commuting by placing transparency, affordability, and empowerment at the core of its operations. Since its launch, the platform has completed over 9.8 crore rides and rapidly grown into a trusted choice for both drivers and riders, offering a reliable and ethical alternative in the ride-hailing ecosystem.

What makes Namma Yatri stand out is its 100% driver earnings model — ensuring drivers keep the entire fare without any commission cuts. This not only improves driver livelihoods but also encourages better service for passengers. Built on the ONDC open network and supported by the Government of Karnataka, Namma Yatri has emerged as a commuter favorite across cities in Karnataka.

Key Highlights:

• Over 9.8 crore rides completed

• Zero Commission – 100% driver earnings

• Transparent Pricing for commuters

• Driver Empowerment at scale

• Tech-Driven, open network innovation

About Truecaller

We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 383 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 50 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2021. Headquartered in Stockholm since 2009, we are a co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company, with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October, 2021. Visit truecaller.com for more information.

For more information, please visit: business.truecaller.com

After successfully transforming fuel accessibility in India, the UAE, and Mozambique, FuelBuddy continues its global journey by entering two of Southern Africa’s most dynamic economies. With Africa's energy demand in 2040 projected to surge by 30% more than it is today, compared to a 10% increase in global energy demand, FuelBuddy is strategically expanding into Zimbabwe and Zambia, poised to expand its presence in fossil fuel and emerging alternative energies in other countries in Africa. The move aims to empower businesses and communities with reliable, safe, and efficient doorstep fuel delivery solutions.

“We are thrilled to bring FuelBuddy’s trusted services to Zimbabwe and Zambia, two vibrant and rapidly developing markets” said, Adnan Kidwai – CEO, International, FuelBuddy. “At FuelBuddy, we believe access to reliable energy is the backbone of economic growth. Our mission is to empower industries and communities by delivering fuel safely, transparently, and efficiently right to their doorstep. By entering these new markets, we are not just expanding our geographical footprint — we are helping businesses reduce operational challenges, improve productivity, and focus on what they do best. From mining and agriculture to logistics and construction, our solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of critical sectors.” 

FuelBuddy offers a fully digital fuel ordering and delivery experience, ensuring quality, safety, and transparency at every step. With over 500 million litres delivered globally and a strong track record of operational excellence, FuelBuddy is set to address critical fuel and alternate energy supply challenges in these new markets.

Zimbabwe and Zambia have a growing demand for reliable fuel solutions, driven by their rapidly expanding industrial and commercial sectors. By providing convenient and dependable fuel delivery, it aims to reduce operational downtime, improve cost efficiencies and, support sustainable growth.

FuelBuddy’s expansion is a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. We look forward to building strong local partnerships, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to the long-term energy resilience in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Adnan further added, “Additionally, at FuelBuddy we will be expanding our global offering by entering into Retail as well in all geographies and are pursuing strategic opportunities in retail pumps for the same.”

About FuelBuddy
SK Narvar promoted FuelBuddy is a global leader in providing Doorstep Fuel Delivery services focused on providing the right quality and quantity of fuel at the touch of a button. The company has established themselves as an end-to-end service provider emphasising on managing the consumer’s fueling needs through their industry-first IoT and Cloud-enabled products. FuelBuddy launched their services in the year 2017, intending to solve the challenges faced in procurement and storage of fuel like pilferage, theft, spillage, monitoring &, controlling consumption. Beginning with mobile fuel delivery, they have continued to disrupt the status quo, providing their customers the convenience of ordering their fuel from their doorstep globally. In 2021, FuelBuddy acquired Bangalore-based on-demand Fuel Delivery start-up MyPetrolPump. With over 55,000+ satisfied customers and operations in India, UAE, Mozambique, they have served over 500 million litres of fuel to clients such as Varun Beverages (Pepsi), JSPL, Coca- Cola, Amazon, DLF, Infosys, Apparel DIP, Lal’s Group, 2XL Sharjah, Landmark Group, Taj, Hitachi, Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Blinkit and Delhivery to name a few. 

Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, today announced a major expansion of its pan-India supply chain infrastructure ahead of its flagship festive event, The Big Billion Days. With the addition of new fulfilment centres (FCs) and last-mile hubs across key states such as Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad), Bihar (Patna), Haryana (Manesar), and Tripura (Agartala), Flipkart is deepening its regional presence, enabling faster festive deliveries, and creating thousands of jobs while powering the rapid growth of quick commerce in India.

Battery operated vehicle at Flipkart's Malur FC

This year’s expansion spans 35 lakh sq. ft., covering 21,000+ pincodes nationwide.

Facilities for all, including Large, Non-Large & Grocery:

• The new operational Varanasi Center is spread across 2.0 lakh sq. ft., generating 3600 direct and indirect job opportunities.

• The newly operational Patna Fulfilment Center, a 4.5 lakh sq. ft. cornerstone facility, serves more than 1,000 pincodes and has created over 1,100 direct and indirect jobs.

• Flipkart is now operating in a Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in Manesar, one of India’s largest state-of-the-art facilities. Spread over 140 acres, the RDC will create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing significantly to local employment. The center is expected to cater to a wide range of products, including parcel goods, white goods, and furniture, adapting its assortment dynamically to meet customer requirements and market trends.

• Flipkart expanded its footprint in the Northeast with its first grocery fulfillment center in Agartala, Tripura. Spread over 35,000 square feet and equipped with a daily dispatch capacity of 5,000 orders per day.

In addition to Varanasi, Patna, Manesar, Ranchi, Ghaziabad, Agra and Agartala, Flipkart has gone live with new facilities in Guwahati, Singur, and Saidham, to name a few, strengthening last-mile reach ahead of the festive season. With these additions, Flipkart’s network now comprises over 100 fulfilment centers nationwide, collectively capable of processing millions of festive orders with speed and precision.

Hemant Badri, Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain, Customer Experience & Re-Commerce, Flipkart Group, said, “Flipkart’s supply chain blends the scale of large fulfilment centers with the agility of hyperlocal hubs, creating a hybrid network that serves every corner of Bharat. This festive season, our expanded infrastructure spanning 35 lakh sq. ft. across Varanasi, Patna, Manesar, Ranchi, Ghaziabad, Agra and Agartala not only strengthens delivery speed and reliability for millions of customers but also generates inclusive job opportunities at scale. 2.2 lakh+ seasonal job opportunities have been created with a strong focus on women, PwD and first-time workforce hiring. From metros to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, our focus remains on delivering convenience, strengthening regional economies, and building a future-ready supply chain powered by technology and inclusivity.”

Complementing its large-scale fulfillment centers, Flipkart is also scaling its quick commerce backbone through nearly 400 new micro-fulfilment centers and dark stores across 19 cities. This network underpins Flipkart Minutes, which has doubled order volumes every 45 days since launch, enabling faster-than-ever delivery of essentials and festive products.

As part of its festive readiness, Flipkart has created over 2.2 lakh additional seasonal job opportunities across warehousing, logistics, and last-mile delivery roles. This includes opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and other segments of society across its supply chain. With inclusive hiring, tech-led skilling through the Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA), and partnerships with social organisations, Flipkart is strengthening both festive operational capacity and India’s broader employment ecosystem.

Ekart, in partnership with NReach Online Services Limited, has launched on-ground health camps under its Suraksha wellness program to support over 6,000 warehouse associates across 21 supply chain facilities. Timed ahead of the festive season and Big Billion Days, the camps offer essential screenings, including blood tests and diabetic, kidney, liver, and cardiac assessments, enabling early health insights for frontline employees. This builds on Suraksha’s broader impact, which has supported 1.7 lakh associates in 2025 and facilitated over 18 lakh minutes of doctor consultations last year. The initiative reflects Ekart’s commitment to caring for the people who help deliver India’s festive joy.

With these expansions, Flipkart reaffirms its role as a pan-India enabler of festive e-commerce and quick commerce, ensuring that The Big Billion Days 2025 brings faster, smarter, and more joyful shopping experiences for customers across the country.

About the Flipkart Group

The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Cleartrip, and super.money.

Established in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India's digital commerce revolution. With a registered user base of more than 500 million, Flipkart’s marketplace offers over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Today, there are over 1.4 million sellers on the platform, including Shopsy sellers.

With a focus on empowering and delighting every Indian by delivering value through technology and innovation, Flipkart has pioneered services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI, Easy Returns, and UPI payments. Beyond shopping, Flipkart continues to create jobs, empower entrepreneurs, and strengthen India’s digital economy.

The company posted a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 47 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, demonstrating steady performance amid a dynamic market environment. Revenue from operations stood at Rs. 1,442 crore, reflecting continued customer trust and the strength of our service offerings.
 

Commenting on the company's performance, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express, said, "Blue Dart continues to build strong momentum, driven by substantial traction across both B2B and B2C products. Our focus on strategically identified high-growth areas is beginning to yield results, supported by timely investments in new hubs, automation, and digital capabilities. In a landscape marked by evolving trade dynamics and tariff shifts, our commitment to reliability and time-definite services remains unwavering. To sustain this growth trajectory, we are making front-loaded investments that strengthen our operational backbone. As global supply chains transform, we are focused on creating a resilient, future-ready logistics ecosystem that plays a vital role in powering India's economic advancement."
 

Blue Dart marked a major milestone with the launch of India’s largest Integrated Operating Facility at Bijwasan in New Delhi, further enhancing our operational capabilities and service efficiency. Additionally, the company recently announced the expansion of its network with the introduction of Guwahati last year as a direct flying location. This strategic move was driven by Blue Dart’s vision to empower Northeast India, a zone that plays a pivotal role in the country's economic growth.
 

Furthermore, Blue Dart was awarded as the Best Express Logistics Provider 2025 by the Institute of Supply Chain Management (ISCM). In addition to this industry recognition, Blue Dart was also certified as a Great Place to Work for the 15th consecutive year, an acknowledgment of our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of trust, inclusivity, and excellence. By consistently investing in our infrastructure and people, Blue Dart continues to strengthen its position as both the logistics partner of choice and the employer of choice.

About Blue Dart
Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,400+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.
 

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, and has achieved the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. It has also been listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2025 for the 4^th time by the ET Now. Furthermore, Blue Dart was awarded the ‘Best In-House Legal Team’ award in the logistics category at The Economic Times Global Legal Awards 2024-2025.
 

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility through its Go Programs namely Go Green – Climate Protection, Go Help - Drinking Water, Livelihood, Health, Disaster Management and Go Teach -Education.

SJK Innovations Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (iTRS )

The iTRS machine is a key automation solution used at airport security checkpoints. It streamlines the security check point experience significantly improving passenger flow, reducing manual intervention, and increasing overall operational efficiency and hygiene.

SJK Innovations has successfully completed iTRS machine installations at several prominent airports, including:

• Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport – Terminal 1 and Terminal 3

• Lucknow Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport

• Goa Mopa International Airport

• Cochin International Airport

The company is also currently executing iTRS deployments at:

• Navi Mumbai International Airport

• Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore

• Guwahati International Airport

• Bhogapuram International Airport

Mr. Suraj Shanthakumar, Managing Director of SJK Innovations said, “Every once in a while, a milestone reminds us not just of how far we’ve come—but of what it took to get here. Today, as we dispatch our 100th iTRS machine, we celebrate more than a number. We celebrate a vision that took shape in 2018—to build a world-class, Make-in-India solution for Indian airports—and the incredible journey of people, perseverance, and belief that made it real.

When we began this journey, we weren’t just entering a new domain—we were setting out to exceed global standards, through a solution designed and built entirely indigenously.”

As India’s aviation sector continues to expand, SJK Innovations remains focused on delivering smart, scalable solutions to support the modernization and growth of airport infrastructure nationwide.

As part of the strategic roadmap for the air cargo industry, ACFI is proud to announce landmark partnership with The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) that will significantly bolster both regional connectivity and global knowledge sharing. Also, soon ACFI will be signing MoU’s with Government of Tripura and Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sanjiv Edward, President, ACFI, said, “The Indian air cargo sector is at a pivotal inflection point and undergoing rapid transformation. At this crucial juncture, this knowledge paper outlines the strategic roadmap until 2030, infrastructure requirements, policy reforms, and the initiatives by the air cargo industry to achieve the ambitious target of 10 MTPA of air cargo volumes set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. This paper has laid down a clear action plan for all stakeholders of the industry. India is uniquely positioned to redefine global cargo corridors. With bold policy reforms and strategic investments, we can build a resilient, digitised, and world-class logistics ecosystem.”

Shri. Piyush Srivastava, Sr. Economic Advisor, Ministry Of Civil Aviation said, "Air infrastructure today faces key global dichotomies—demand is rapidly growing in the Eastern Hemisphere, while critical services like manufacturing and MRO remain concentrated in the West. This imbalance is bound to shift. As demand grows, supply will follow. It's not just about 'Made in India'; it's about 'Make in India'—a strategic priority for us moving forward.”

He further added, "The Aviation sector is highly sensitive to global geopolitical shifts. While events like the Red Sea crisis have offered temporary advantages for the Indian air cargo system. But prolonged airspace closures over Pakistan and over three years of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, have significantly disrupted operations and increased costs. These challenges are not only unpredictable but inevitable. The only sustainable path forward lies in embracing technology, innovation, and disruption.”

Speaking at the launch, Dheeraj Rastogi, Principal Commissioner Customs, Delhi, “India’s customs operations have undergone a significant transformation—from early digitization efforts to the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and risk-based segmentation,” stated Mr. Dheeraj Rastogi. These innovations have contributed to a substantial reduction in transaction costs and improved the overall efficiency of cargo processing.”

He further added, “Currently, 52% of air cargo is cleared on the same day, with average clearance time at Delhi Air Cargo reduced from 41 hours to 35 hours. The department remains committed to maintaining a fine balance between revenue mobilization, national security, trade facilitation, and legal compliance. Given the increasing complexities introduced by e-commerce, a collaborative, data-driven approach between industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities is imperative. Our collective goal must be to build a seamless, AI-enabled ecosystem that supports India’s emergence as a global leader in air cargo logistics.”

According to Mr. Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA, “With TIACA representing the entire air cargo supply chain and ACFI representing the Indian air cargo industry, it is crucial we work together so that the world can receive Indian exports efficiently and bring the best practices achieved in other countries. Globally, every year, goods worth US$9 trillion are transported through air cargo, accounting for one-third of global trade. India is at the heart of the growing global trade, and we will work toward making air cargo an integral part of it. TIACA, with its global memberships, would be able to act as a support to the Indian air cargo industry in the fields of digitalisation, enhanced usage of modern technology, including AI and adoption of other global standards.”

Together with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, ACFI is shaping a forward-looking roadmap to meet the growing demands of domestic and international logistics. These partnerships reflect ACFI’s unwavering commitment to building a resilient, efficient and globally competitive air cargo ecosystem that supports India’s economic aspirations.

Key findings of the knowledge report

• Capacity Concentration: 82% of air cargo is currently handled by just six airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata), amplifying concentration risk and operational inefficiencies.

• Growth Enablers: Digitisation, strategic airport locations in India, integrated multimodal corridors (PM Gati Shakti), and emerging connectivity in tier-2 cities.

• Regulatory Gaps: Scalability of the sector is hindered by fragmented clearance systems, high dwell times (almost 12 hours for exports and 48 hours for imports) and limited transhipment readiness.

• Investment Heatmap: High potential in cold-chain operations, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, automation and freighter fleet expansion.

The secondary airports have the potential to play a critical role. The Government of India’s initiative to significantly enhance air connectivity across India will give the required boost to the air cargo sector. At present, these secondary airports are underutilised due to poor infrastructure and limited airline networks.

The report highlights the strategic action areas to triple air cargo handling to 10 MTPA by 2030. These strategic actions include:

• Creation of transhipment hubs with 24x7 clearance and zero rescreening

• National Unified Digital Clearance Window and Cargo Command Centres

• Freighter acquisition incentives and plug-and-play terminals across regional hubs

• ESG integration via green infrastructure, SAF blending, and inclusive workforce practices

Global Inspiration, Local Action: Drawing on best practices from Singapore, Frankfurt and Dubai, the report advocates for modular warehousing, predictive slot allocation, and unified cargo community systems to manage rerouted and time-sensitive freight.

The paper serves as a call to action for industry, government, and private stakeholders to forge collaborative pathways and enhance India’s role in international trade and economic growth.

Here are the key highlights of the Knowledge Report

Key Highlights of the Knowledge Report India’s Air Cargo Horizon: Seizing Global Reroutes, Regional Dominance and Resilience

Indian Air Cargo Industry

• Target: 10 MTPA by 2030 (from 3.71 MTPA in FY-2025)

• Growth Drivers:

• E-commerce boom

• Greenfield airports (e.g., Jewar, Navi Mumbai)

• Digitised customs, Unified Logistics Interface Platform integration

• High-value cargo (pharma, perishables, electronics)

Infrastructure & Operational Bottlenecks

• 82% of cargo is handled by just 6 airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata)

• Secondary airports are underutilised due to poor infrastructure and limited airline networks

• High dwell times: 12 hours (exports), 48 hours (imports)

• Lack of dedicated transhipment zones and automation

Privatisation & Policy Reforms

• Rs. 6–7 lakh crore investment needed for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and infrastructure

• Key initiatives:

• Krishi UDAN 2.0 (50% freight subsidy for agri-perishables)

• 100% FDI allowed in air cargo

• SUGAM (Sustainable Green Airports Mission)

• Dedicated air freight corridors and cargo subsidiaries (e.g., Air India)

Regulatory & Governance Gaps

• Cargo rescreening and high clearance times increase costs

• Fragmented digital systems and inconsistent state regulations

• Only ~10% transhipment share at Delhi vs. ~40% at global hubs

• Limited SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) production and adoption

Building Rerouting Resilience

• India lacks integrator hubs like Singapore (DHL South Asia) or Frankfurt (CargoCity South)

• Best practices from global hubs:

• Zoned infrastructure

• 24/7 customs with fast lanes

• Real-time digital coordination (ACCS, CCS)

• Modular warehousing and predictive slot allocation

Strategic Roadmap to 10 MTPA

• Single-window digital clearance platform

• Transshipment hubs with zero rechecks

• Multimodal integration with Gati Shakti corridors

• Plug-and-play cargo terminals and standalone cargo airports

• IoT enabled cargo visibility and National Cargo Command Centres

• Friegth acquisition incentives

• National air cargo training alliance

Accelerating ESG in Air Cargo

• SAF blending targets: 1% by 2027 → 5% by 2030

• ESG Challenges:

• High SAF cost (2.5x jet fuel)

• Fragmented cold-chain

• Low female workforce participation (<10%)

• Limited automation and skilled talent

• ESG Drivers:

• Green airport infrastructure (solar, EVs, LEED)

• CORSIA-linked emissions reporting

• DE&I initiatives (e.g., IATA’s “25 by 2025”)

Emerging Cargo Hubs

• Navi Mumbai – Focus: Pharma, Perishables, Jewellery Potential: Multimodal Transhipment Hub

• Jewa (Noida) – Focus: Electronics, Apparel Potential: Cold chain, IGI integration

• Hyderabad - Focus: Pharma, Aerospace Potential: Dedicated Pharma infra Chennai - Focus: Leather, FMCG Potential: Cold chain, E-commerce

• Guwahati - Focus: Tea, Perishables Potential: Gateway to North East

As part of this limited-time offer, domestic customers can avail up to 40% off on shipments weighing between 0.5 kg and 2.5 kg, making festive gifting more economical. For international deliveries, customers can save up to 50% off on freight charges for packages ranging from 0.5 kg to 2.5 kg, as well as 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, and 20 kg, applicable across all lanes and zones. The offer applies to Domestic Priority (DP) shipments and International Duts product types and is valid across all regions and destinations, ensuring seamless and cost-effective deliveries both within the country and globally.
 

Speaking on the launch, Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer at Blue Dart, said, “At Blue Dart, we understand the emotional significance of Raksha Bandhan. Through the Rakhi Express Campaign, we aim to make celebrations easier by providing an efficient and cost-effective way to connect loved ones across the country and the world. With these special discounts, our customers can ship gifts and rakhis with the same reliability and speed that Blue Dart is known for, while embracing the festive spirit.”
 

Through such initiatives and campaigns, Blue Dart continues to reinforce its commitment to connecting loved ones, bridging distances, and honouring enduring bonds with timely, reliable, and affordable logistics solutions.
 

This limited time offer is available across all Blue Dart DHL stores and Franchisee Collection Centres (FCCs).
 

For further details on the campaign, customers are encouraged to visit their nearest Blue Dart DHL store. Customers can also contact Blue Dart's Customer Care at 1860 233 1234 or email enquires at: customerservice@bluedart.com.
 

For more information or to book shipments, visit www.bluedart.com.

About Blue Dart

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,400+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.
 

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, and has achieved the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. It has also been listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2025 for the 4th time by the ET Now. Furthermore, Blue Dart was awarded the ‘Best In-House Legal Team’ award in the logistics category at The Economic Times Global Legal Awards 2024-2025.
 

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility through its Go Programs namely Go Green – Climate Protection, Go Help - Drinking Water, Livelihood, Health, Disaster Management and Go Teach -Education.

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) was honoured with the Udyog Vikas Award during the Udyog Vikas event organised by Janmabhumi Daily, a leading news daily in the state of Kerala. The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel, Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma who highlighted the Union Government’s steadfast commitment to developing state-of-the-art Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities across India.
 

From left: Arvind Devaraj, Vishnu Sharma, Minister B.R.S. Varma, Vikas Goel & Rahul Jagadish at the Udyog Vikas Award during the Udyog Vikas event
 

During his address, Shri Varma lauded the transformational potential of the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad, stating that the project is poised to reshape the infrastructure and industrial landscape of Kerala and the broader southern region of the country.
 

The event also featured a technical session focusing on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, providing in-depth insights into the strategic vision, planning, and progress of the upcoming Palakkad Industrial Smart City. A dedicated session by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) further elaborated on the innovative digital solutions being deployed through the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
 

The Palakkad Industrial Smart City, spanning 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, represents a major milestone in Kerala’s industrial development. Strategically located 21 km from Palakkad city, 120 km from Cochin, and 50 km from Coimbatore, the project offers seamless interstate connectivity and significant logistical advantages, positioning it as a key industrial gateway for South India. With robust multi-modal connectivity via road, rail, and air, the city is designed to attract high-quality investments and drive regional employment and innovation.
 

Key project milestones include:

1. 81% of required land already in possession.

2. Environmental clearances for all land parcels granted on January 01, 2025.

3. Letter of Award issued to Project Management and Construction Consultant.

4. Finalization of EPC tender documents in progress.

The event also showcased NLDSL’s contributions to transforming India’s logistics ecosystem. Since its inception in September 2022, ULIP has integrated 43 systems from 11 ministries, connected through 129 APIs and more than 1,800 data fields, empowering over 1,300 registered companies and enabling more than 100 crore API transactions. This technology-driven platform exemplifies Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for a unified, efficient, and transparent logistics network in India.

NICDC’s recognition at the Udyog Vikas event underlines its vital role in catalyzing India’s industrial transformation and enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global manufacturing and logistics arena.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Blue Dart reported revenue from operations of Rs. 5,720 crore and profit after tax of Rs. 245 crore. For the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q4 FY25), revenue from operations stood at Rs. 1,417 crore. Profit after tax for the quarter stood at Rs. 53 crore.

Commenting on the announcement, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express, said, “Our focus in FY25 was on delivering consistency, maintaining service quality, and enhancing our offering strength with significant investments towards our aviation capabilities and infrastructure, an approach that will continue as we gear up for the future. With a long-term perspective on these investments, we remain committed to reinforcing our core, adopting technology for efficiency, and delivering reliable service. Several of these investments are front-loaded, and we anticipate upcoming business growth to drive cost optimization.

As we look ahead to FY26, we remain cautiously optimistic amid ongoing external uncertainties. Nonetheless, Blue Dart will continue to invest in expanding our network, advancing digital capabilities, and embedding sustainable practices to drive long-term operational strength to enhance service capabilities, deepen customer trust, and build operational resilience.”

In the fiscal year gone by, Blue Dart was recognized for excellence across key areas including customer service, sustainability, compliance, and brand loyalty. The company continued to be recognized as a Great Place to Work and one of the best organizations for women. Additionally, Blue Dart was awarded for its customer-centric culture, operational excellence in logistics, and trusted brand reputation. It was also acknowledged for its strong legal compliance practices and sustainable business approach.

About Blue Dart

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2025 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility through its Go Programs namely Go Green – Climate Protection, Go Help - Drinking Water, Livelihood, Health, Disaster Management and Go Teach -Education.

The Express Industry Council of India (EICI), the apex industry association representing leading international and domestic express companies in India, has released an insightful White Paper in association with the Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), a research-based policy think tank. The White Paper, titled 'The Future of Express Cargo Clearance in India - ECCS in the New Customs Integrated System', underscores the need to ensure the smooth integration of processes and preserve the strengths of the existing Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) as it is proposed to be integrated into the forthcoming Customs Integrated System (CIS).

Shri Yogendra Garg, Member (IT, Taxpayer Services & Technology), CBIC launches the white paper titled “THE FUTURE OF EXPRESS CARGO CLEARANCE IN INDIA - ECCS in the New Customs Integrated System

The White Paper aims to apprise the regulatory authorities, especially the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), about the critical features of the currently operational ECCS and the express industry’s expectations from the new CIS. It was formally submitted to the CBIC at a consultation held in New Delhi, which was also attended by Shri Yogendra Garg, Member (IT & Taxpayer Services), CBIC, officials from DG Systems, and senior representatives from the express and logistics industry.

Based on the on-ground realities of the express industry, the paper recommends measures to streamline operations, reduce redundancies, and strengthen India’s trade facilitation architecture. The express cargo industry is recognized as a vital part of the logistics ecosystem, powering e-commerce and supporting India’s ease-of-doing-business and global trade integration goals. It is critical to MSMEs, providing solutions for their integration into global value chains. The Express Delivery Services (EDS) industry is estimated to be over INR 700 billion in 2024 and has witnessed a 15%-18% CAGR growth over the past 7 years, employing over 30 lakh people. India’s Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) market is projected to grow from $8.62 billion in 2025 to approximately $15 billion by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for efficient logistics systems.

The White Paper outlines key recommendations for system-related reforms necessary to enhance ECCS as part of its integration into CIS. Given the time-sensitive nature of express shipments, it is critical that the new system retains the distinctive features and operational agility of ECCS.

Commenting on the release of the White Paper, Mr. Vijay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, EICI said, “Express cargo industry is a vital part to the logistics ecosystem, powering e-commerce and supporting India’s ease-of-doing-business and global trade integration goals. With the upcoming CIS poised to elevate India’s standing in global logistics and trade facilitation, this White Paper marks an important step in our continued engagement with policymakers. It outlines the express industry’s unique clearance requirements and calls for a seamless integration of ECCS into the CIS. We had a successful collaboration with CBIC in developing the ECCS, and this White Paper sets the course for the next vital phase of partnership—aligned with the government’s forward-looking approach to policy-making involving stakeholders. As India charts its course toward becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat mission, the express cargo industry will play a pivotal role in driving trade and fuelling MSME growth.”

Key recommendations include:

• The express clearance module should be a separate, independently designed module within the CIS, following the Immediate Release Guidelines of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

• CIS should adopt a modular architecture to separate express from other cargo modes (maritime, air, land, postal) to ensure that system failures in one domain do not disrupt others.

• Continuous engagement with the express industry is essential across all stages of CIS development and implementation.

• Core ECCS functionalities such as real-time status updates, bulk filing, and bulk and auto Out of Charge (OOC)/Let Export Order (LEO) must be preserved and incorporated into CIS.

• All functionalities currently offered through ICEGATE should be integrated into the express module to eliminate operational inefficiencies and reduce dwell times.

• The express module must be API-enabled to allow seamless interconnectivity, scalability, and adaptability.

• A refined risk management system should be embedded, balancing stringent controls with facilitative measures tailored for express cargo.

• Examination processes must be system-driven to minimize manual interventions which cause delays for time-sensitive shipments.

• A dedicated help desk should be established exclusively for express industry users to ensure swift resolution of system issues.

• Scheduled system downtimes must be limited and occur at times that minimize disruption.

• Information already available across government platforms (like GST and banking systems) should be auto-linked to the CIS to avoid redundant data entry.

These recommendations are described as foundational requirements to ensure the continued agility, scalability, and global competitiveness of India’s express cargo operations.

The successful development and implementation of the ECCS in India in 2017 was a joint effort between the EICI and the CBIC, standing as a strong testament to the power of consultative governance and stakeholder-driven reform. As India advances towards the CIS, the success of ECCS reinforces the need for continued dialogue, cooperation, and co-creation, embedding the voice of industry into the policy process. Preserving the distinct features of express cargo clearance—particularly its rapid processing capabilities—must remain a top priority.

Mr. Afaq Hussain, Director BRIEF added, "The White Paper demonstrates a shared vision between the express cargo industry and regulatory authorities to align operational priorities with the government’s vision of promoting economic growth and streamlining trade. We appreciate and acknowledge the government's commitment to stakeholder consultations and upholding the spirit of collaboration. With the recommendations of this paper, we are hopeful that Customs develops a system that not only meets the specific needs of the express logistics industry but also contributes to the broader development of India’s logistics ecosystem.”

As India is poised to become a USD 30 trillion economy under the Viksit Bharat vision, strengthening both traditional and express cargo systems in tandem is crucial. The proposed enhancements safeguard the efficiency of the express sector while reinforcing the overall resilience and scalability of the cargo ecosystem. In doing so, India will not only ensure uninterrupted trade flows but also cement its leadership in global logistics, e-commerce, and cross-border trade.

About EICI

Express Industry Council of India (EICI) is the apex industry association representing leading international and domestic express companies in India. EICI is a key driver of policies impacting the express industry and aims to create a favourable business environment for the users of the express industry. EICI jointly with Indian Customs had successfully developed a state-of-the-art electronic Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) for Customs clearance of express shipments in India. This has increased India’s global competitiveness and led to Ease of Doing Business in a paperless environment. EICI, as a trade facilitation initiative, operates the common user international express terminals at Delhi airport for the benefit of India’s exporters and importers. EICI is also part of the CII Logistics Skill Council which aims to upskill for the manpower requirements of the industry.

About BRIEF Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF) is a research-based policy think tank.

The MoU was signed at the IWAI office on 5 May 2025 and the formal exchange of the MoU took place in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 6 May 2025. The Minister’s presence underscored the government's strong commitment to strengthening inland waterways as a key pillar of India’s logistics ecosystem. Rhenus is proud to support India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and lead the way in shaping the future of sustainable logistics and contribute to India's logistics transformation.

With over 14,500 kilometers of navigable waterways, including 111 National Waterways, India’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) sector, which is governed by IWAI, has seen significant growth. Cargo volumes have increased from 30 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in 2014 to 133 MMTPA in 2024.

Rhenus India will introduce its Inland Waterways Transport solutions: barge scheduled services that will facilitate cargo transport on two Indian rivers, the Ganga River and the Brahmaputra River. These sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions will allow for seamless cargo movements across India and beyond. In this venture, Rhenus is expanding its existing expertise for port operation and inland navigation from Europe to India.

To start, Rhenus India intends to operate barge services on National Waterways NW-1, NW-2, NW-16 and the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route (IBP), with plans to gradually scale up to include other national waterways in the country. A combination of pushers and barges, to suit low-draft navigation in the waterways, will be used to transport both Bulk and Break-Bulk cargo across North & East India, North-East India, and subsequently neighbouring countries. With 1,000 vessels in operations daily on all navigable waterways in Europe, Rhenus will now tap into its Port Logistics experience, in particular in European inland navigation, as well as resources from its European Waterways fleet to further support India’s IWT sector.

In Europe, Rhenus has been active in the inland navigation sector since its foundation year 1912. With barge shipping as its core competency, the Rhenus Group built its company and service portfolio around its logistics activities along the Rhine River and diversified them to include air and ocean freight, warehousing, road freight as well as rail, over time, becoming a worldwide logistics solutions provider.

Vivek Arya, CEO of Rhenus Logistics India & Global CEO of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Intercontinental, said, “With over 100 years of dedicated expertise in inland waterway operations across Europe, Rhenus is excited to partner with IWAI in this transformative journey to create a smarter, greener and more economical logistics network. Recognizing the immense potential of India’s inland waterways, we are committed to adapt our best practices to suit the Indian environment and contribute towards seamless waterway movement through our innovative solutions.”

Michael de Reese, Division Head of Rhenus Port Logistics, added, “Inland navigation is the backbone of the producing economy in Germany as well as in Europe. With our expertise and our broad experience in mastering challenges such as infrastructure construction, varying water levels and the training of a reliable expert workforce, we can support the growing Indian economy together with the IWAI.”

About Rhenus

The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 41,000 employees work at 1,330 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.

The World Trade Centers Association’s 55th Annual Global Business Forum in Marseille, France, hosted by World Trade Center Marseille Provence focused on Navigating Global Trade

The four-day event, which took place April 6-9, brought together WTCA members and their global networks, including leaders from business, government, academia, and international organizations. Each gleaned new insights on shifting global trade dynamics, cross-border real estate investments, the importance of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and sustainability efforts. Over 400 attendees across more than 50 countries and territories, and nearly 120 WTC businesses, gathered to forge new global business connections, and to learn about specific opportunities in Marseille, a popular Mediterranean port city and the oldest city in France.

With the theme, "Gateway to the Mediterranean," the Forum helped attendees amplify their businesses’ growth and international reach, further elevating WTCA’s core mission, “Connecting Businesses, Globally.” The event included more than 20 workshops, plus various keynotes, panels, local company tours and over 500 business-to-business (B2B) meetings. In addition, GBF attendees learned more about the Marseille region’s business climate, including: its strategic position as a gateway to Southern Europe, North Africa, and Middle Eastern markets; the city’s wide range of thriving industries, from maritime and logistics, to digital technology and biotechnology; and its ongoing infrastructure investments. Select WTC businesses also participated in the “Connections Showcase” to formally acknowledge the meaningful connections and promising conversations initiated with those they met at the WTCA GBF.

This year also marked WTCA’s first dedicated Real Estate Summit during the GBF. During this portion of the event, global experts analyzed the state of commercial real estate, including its role in driving economic growth, and ways in which sustainable infrastructure and energy innovation continue to shape the future of developments. Additional topics of discussion included hyper-growth areas like data centers and logistics facilities.

Amid shifting global policies and economic uncertainties, the WTCA network showcased at this year’s Forum how it continues to be a vital and resilient force, fostering dialogue collaboration and trust across borders. Sessions held throughout the GBF focused on how the role of trade organizations is not only increasingly relevant, but is more indispensable than ever as businesses are actively seeking guidance, access and a global perspective. Leveraging its unparalleled global network, WTCA showcased how its members bridge market gaps and open doors to new business opportunities, while also elevating a city’s global profile and connecting it to the world economy. To help in strategic business planning, WTCA’s members around the world are able to provide on-the-ground information and valuable resources that can be shared throughout the network to create more cross-border connections. 

“Our annual Forum stands as a powerful reminder of what is possible when business leaders from around the world come together in the spirit of collaboration - and that’s precisely where the WTCA network excels,” said John E. Drew, Chair, WTCA Board of Directors. “In today’s climate, WTCA remains committed to promoting free and fair trade, open markets and healthy competition. We believe these principles foster an environment that attracts investment, drives prosperity and fuels economic growth. Through our global network of independent WTC operations - built on trust and collaboration - we actively support these principles by facilitating international business connections and trade opportunities worldwide. This year’s GBF showcased the real value of connection: forging strategic partnerships between our WTCA members and local/international business delegates; opening new pathways to trade; and reaffirming our shared commitment to free, fair, and open commerce. Together, we will continue to ‘Keep Calm and Trade On.’ We are thankful to WTC Marseille Provence for hosting such a wonderful event to demonstrate the power of our global network.”

Speaking during one GBF session titled "Global Outlook: Navigating Trade and Investment Trends in 2025," Angela Ellard, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), outlined the intergovernmental organization’s role in navigating new trade policies, including the implementation or threat of tariffs. Her advice for GBF attendees was to remain level-headed and to consider not just the immediate effects, but the broader, long-term effects on global stakeholders.

Benoit Vincent, CEO of WTC Marseille Provence, also said of the event, “This year’s GBF underscored the vital role the Marseille region plays in shaping the future of international trade - we offer a thriving environment for innovation, industry and global collaboration. In partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Internationale) Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, we united to host a B2B matchmaking platform that resulted in over 500 B2B meetings, connecting delegates from around the world with each other as well as with local Marseillaise companies. We are proud to have hosted an event that actually goes beyond dialogue - sparking real connections to catalyze regional and international business growth.” 

The 2025 WTCA GBF concluded with a ceremonial announcement of next year’s host during a Gala Dinner sponsored by Turkish Airlines. The 56th annual WTCA GBF is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, USA from April 19-22, 2026, and will be hosted by WTC Greater Philadelphia.

About Rhenus
The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 41,000 employees work at 1,330 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.

OneAlpha Launched in Chennai with New Oragadam Project

The company and the project were officially launched at an event graced by the presence of Mr. R. Velusamy, President - Automotive Technology & Product Development at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. as the Guest of Honour through a video message. The launch saw the presence of Dr. S Rajkumar, Vignesh Rajkumar and Visakh Rajkumar, representing the legacy of the Sree Kailas Group, and now leading the next phase through OneAlpha.

Positioning itself as a next-generation developer, OneAlpha is from the stable of the Sree Kailas Group and aims to deliver fast, customised and sustainable infrastructure solutions for manufacturers. At the launch event, the company revealed its vision to serve growing demand from manufacturing and logistics industries across Tamil Nadu and beyond.

“Our goal is simple,” said Vignesh Rajkumar, Director of OneAlpha. “We want to build industrial infrastructure that’s quick to execute, scalable to demand, and aligned with sustainability goals. OneAlpha represents a forward leap built on a solid foundation of legacy and trust.”

Oragadam Park to Anchor Future Growth
“The OneAlpha Industrial & Logistics Park in Oragadam is the company’s first project and will be developed in two phases. The park will span 1.2 million square feet, with Phase I (6 lakh sq. ft.) ready by Q1 2026 and Phase II (another 6 lakh sq. ft.) expected by Q1 2027,” said Visakh Rajkumar, Director of OneAlpha. A traditional groundbreaking ceremony was held on-site on Friday morning to commence work on the project.

Located in the heart of Tamil Nadu’s Auto OEM and Electronics belt, the park offers strong connectivity and access to a skilled workforce. OneAlpha plans to position the facility as a go-to destination for industries looking for built-to-suit and ready-to-occupy spaces.

The project underlines OneAlpha’s promise of speed and compliance. “We understand how delays and bottlenecks hurt businesses,” said Visakh. “That’s why we’ve designed a model that cuts down development timelines while ensuring every regulatory box is ticked.”

OneAlpha’s core offerings include end-to-end development solutions-from land acquisition to infrastructure delivery and maintenance. It also offers tailored builds, liaison support and green energy integration, aiming to serve the evolving needs of manufacturers and logistics operators.

Brand Launch Highlights Culture and Capability
The launch event featured a reveal of the OneAlpha brand identity, symbolising dependability and strength. The evening brought together employees, vendors, channel partners and clients in a curated setting that highlighted the company’s values.

The event also celebrated the company’s people, with a segment dedicated to employee recognition. “We’re building more than infrastructure, we’re building a culture of trust and collaboration,” said Dr S. Rajkumar, Chairman of Sree Kailas Group.

With its first project underway and a clear vision in place, OneAlpha is poised to be serious and agile player in India’s industrial real estate story.

About OneAlpha Ventures Limited
OneAlpha Ventures Limited is a B2B industrial infrastructure company based in Chennai, specialising in the development of warehousing, logistics and manufacturing spaces. Combining the experience of an established legacy with a forward-looking approach, the company offers fully customisable, sustainable and compliance-ready industrial solutions across India.

In a bid to support customers during the first half of the year, the campaign will deliver exciting offers, designed to cater to the festive spirit while making shipping more affordable. As part of this festive campaign, Blue Dart Express will offer attractive discounts to customers on both domestic and international shipments.

During the campaign, customers can enjoy up to 40% off on domestic shipments between 2 kg and 10 kg. Standard rates apply for domestic shipments under 2 kg or over 10 kg. For international shipments, customers can save up to 50% on freight charges for shipments between 5 kg and 25 kg, across all lanes and zones.

Reflecting on the launch of Festive Express campaign, Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer at Blue Dart said, “This festive season, Blue Dart Express is committed to offering an enhanced shipping experience, combining efficiency and affordability to meet the needs of our customers. By introducing these special festive offers, Blue Dart Express is making it easier and more cost-effective to send parcels across the country and beyond, all while embracing the spirit of the season.”

This limited time offer is available across all Blue Dart DHL stores and Franchisee Collection Centres (FCCs).

For further details on the campaign, customers are encouraged to visit their nearest Blue Dart DHL store. Customers can also contact Blue Dart's Customer Care at 1860 233 1234 or email enquires at: customerservice@bluedart.com.

 For more information or to book shipments, visit www.bluedart.com.

About Blue Dart Express Ltd.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility through its Go Programs namely Go Green – Climate Protection, Go Help - Drinking Water, Livelihood, Health, Disaster Management and Go Teach -Education.

Ecom Express Partners with Truecaller for Business

In the fast-paced e-commerce and logistics industry, effective communication plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experience and delivery efficiency. Ecom Express, which serves thousands of online sellers, D2C brands, and e-commerce marketplaces, is leveraging Truecaller’s trusted communication solutions to minimize call rejection rates and provide greater transparency to its customers.

Leveraging Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID as part of the Customer Experience solution, Ecom Express ensures that its customers can instantly recognize verified calls through brand elements such as the company name, logo, a verified green badge, and a category name. This verification reduces instances of missed or ignored calls due to a lack of trust, thereby improving response rates and operational efficiency.

Ecom Express has implemented Truecaller’s CX capabilities, such as Call Reason, which allows customers to view the context of an incoming call in advance. This feature adds another layer of transparency to logistics communications, ensuring that customers are well-informed about their deliveries, pickups, or return requests.

The partnership also leverages Business Profile capability as part of the Customer Experience solution, allowing Ecom Express to share authentic business information with Truecaller users. This includes showcasing their brand elements, social links, business details, and selected brand imagery, all of which contribute to bolstering customer trust and brand engagement.

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Ecom Express said; “As long-standing partners with Truecaller, our focus remains on continuously enhancing the customer experience. This collaboration allows us to foster greater trust and transparency in our communications, ensuring that our customers receive timely, reliable, and seamless service. We are committed to delivering a high level of satisfaction by making every interaction with Ecom Express more efficient and customer-centric.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Priyam Bose, Global Head, GTM & Developer Products, Truecaller, said: “Truecaller is committed to making business communication safer, more efficient, and more trusted. We are delighted to collaborate with Ecom Express, a leader in logistics solutions, to enhance their customer interactions with our Customer Experience solutions. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark in secure and transparent communication within the logistics industry.”

With over 2,500 businesses across India and global markets benefiting from Truecaller’s Verified Business Caller ID, this partnership reinforces Ecom Express’s commitment to leveraging technology for seamless, customer-centric logistics solutions. By leveraging Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution, Ecom Express continues to strengthen its position as a trusted logistics partner in the Indian e-commerce ecosystem.

About Ecom Express

Ecom Express Limited is a leading end-to-end technology enabled logistics solutions provider to the Indian retail and e-commerce industry. Ecom Express uses cutting-edge technology and automated solutions to enable end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions across India serving several pin codes throughout India. The company provides first-mile pickup, processing, network operation, last mile delivery, reverse logistics and returns management under its flagship service – Ecom Express Services (EXS). The company also offers a complete suite of supply chain, storage, and fulfillment solutions under its service line – Ecom Fulfillment Services (EFS). The company has delivered nearly 2 billion shipments to 97% of Indian households. The company has robust technology, AI/ML and data sciences capabilities supporting proprietary tech-stack and dedicated supply chain environment for reliable customer experience.

For more information, please visit: ecomexpress.in.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 433 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company is headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

For more information, please visit: business.truecaller.com

Ekart and IKEA announce a partnership to power seamless, sustainable last-mile deliveries for home furnishings in India, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency

As part of this collaboration, Ekart will play a crucial role in executing the optimized fulfillment of large parcels across IKEA’s extensive catalog of over 7,000+ products, including furniture, home décor, and household essentials, across North India. Ekart's robust logistics capabilities will enable IKEA to fulfill most customer orders within 24 hours, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence. With a relentless focus on precision, Ekart consistently delivers streamlined logistics at scale, achieving an industry-leading 99%+ success rate in pre-paid shipments – setting new benchmarks in reliability and customer satisfaction.

Ekart will facilitate deliveries through IKEA India’s recently launched fulfillment hub in Delhi-NCR, leveraging high-performance logistics solutions. The integration of real-time tracking will further ensure seamless deliveries and provide customers with enhanced visibility. With sustainability at the core of this partnership, Ekart will leverage its fleet of electric vehicles to align with IKEA’s commitment to eco-friendly logistics.

Mani Bhushan, Chief Business Officer, Ekart, said, “This partnership is a testament to Ekart’s ability to offer enterprise grade supply chain solutions to large retail brands. IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for many people, and Ekart is proud to be an enabler in this mission. For us, it has been about shared values of transparency and sustainability in the supply chain with an uncompromising commitment to customer delight and reliability. Through this collaboration, we will continue to unlock the world-class customer experience that IKEA is known for. IKEA satisfies its customers through a philosophy of close listening, engagement and support, and it matches well with Ekart’s mantra of reliability, response, and resolution. We look forward to delighting customers with this partnership.”

Saiba Suri, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager, IKEA India, said, “EV-led deliveries are at the heart of our expansion in the north of India. This move also brings us closer to our global EV100 goals. We are glad to extend this partnership with Ekart in our new market and look forward to powering IKEA India’s expansion story with greater efficiency and sustainable means as we grow together.”

Ekart powers end-to-end logistics for 400+ retail brands, offering last-mile delivery, part-truckload (PTL), full-truckload (FTL), warehousing, and industry-first innovations like Open Box Delivery and product refurbishing for seamless, transparent operations. By bringing together IKEA’s world-class retail experience and Ekart’s robust logistics network, the collaboration aims to redefine home furnishing deliveries in India, making them faster, greener, and more customer-centric.

About Ekart
Ekart is one of the largest Supply Chain companies in India. Starting out in 2009 with an aim to fulfill the supply chain requirements of customers across India, Ekart today provides 4PL services to many small and large-scale businesses across the country. It provides integrated supply chain solutions encompassing warehousing, distribution, dropship, as well as multi-modal heavy/non-unitized inventory movements to customers across industries. With state-of-the-art grade A warehouses across 20+ locations, 7000+ trucks running daily across the length and breadth of the country, Ekart delivers across 15,000 pin codes.

Ekart strives to empower every Indian’s dream by delivering value through Innovation in Technology and Commerce.

For more details please visit the website here.

Asyad Participates In Breakbulk Middle East 2025

Juma Al Uraimi, Acting Chief Commercial Officer at Asyad Group, underscores the Group’s vision for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable logistics sector. “The landscape of breakbulk logistics is rapidly evolving, driven by the intersection of large-scale industrial projects, digital innovation, and sustainability imperatives,” he says. “Asyad is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and integrated multimodal solutions to enhance trade flows and position Oman as a critical gateway in global supply chains.”

Asyad’s leadership contributes to key panels examining digital transformation in logistics, supply chain optimization, and infrastructure investment, reinforcing Oman’s emerging role as a strategic logistics hub linking global markets. Discussions also focus on the rising demand for logistics solutions supporting renewable energy projects.

Reggy Vermeulen, CEO of the Port of Duqm, emphasizes Oman’s growing role in the energy transition, with logistics playing a critical role in transporting wind turbines, solar panels, and other oversized equipment essential for clean energy infrastructure.

Juma Al Maskari, Director at Asyad Logistics, highlights the projected USD 300 billion expansion of contract logistics, underscoring Asyad’s role in streamlining global trade and optimizing supply chain costs. He emphasizes how Oman’s geographic positioning and logistics infrastructure provide a competitive advantage for international businesses.

Asyad’s leadership in hydrogen logistics is also a focal point, with Tom Anneberg, VP Commercial Strategy & Product Development, showcasing the Group’s support for large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia ventures in Salalah Freezone. These projects reinforce Oman’s role as a key player in the global clean energy supply chain.

With over 60% of logistics providers investing in AI, IoT, and automation, the industry undergoes a digital transformation. Asyad remains at the forefront, harnessing its USD 4.1+ billion logistics ecosystem to drive innovation, enhance trade efficiency, and strengthen Oman’s position as a global logistics powerhouse.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 

www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/.

OfBusiness (OFB) is India’s leading and most efficient B2B commerce platform, specializing in the metals, chemicals, Agri-products, and apparel businesses.

OfBusiness Connecting India for SMEs

OfBusiness engaged with over 4000 transporters from across India, for small and big trucks, that travelled 65 million kilometers, delivering about 7 million tonnes of material. The materials were delivered across India and to about 15 foreign countries, including US, Australia, UK, Dubai, France, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia and Vietnam – the Company said.

In the process, the Company facilitated indirect jobs for more than 350,000 people, in addition to the labours engaged in loading and unloading of materials, the company said.

“Connectivity is one of the key functions at OfBusiness being a B2B commerce platform. Since our businesses are spread across metals, chemicals, Agri-products and apparel, it has always been our priority to ensure safe and timely delivery of all our consignments. In the year 2024 we delivered 170,000 consignments in 26 States & 7 UTs covering over 500 cities to SMEs. Through our AI enabled robust network, we are also exporting our material to about 15 countries. To ensure safe delivery of all consignment, we have an AI-enabled monitoring system that does real-time tracking of all consignments, and such live updates are shared with SMEs we are catering to. We are also able to reach a larger base of transporters across India through our AI-enabled, transparent, bidding platform. In the process, we do engage with large transporters but extend preferential opportunities to small transporters for their sustainable livelihood”, said Vikram Singh, Business Head - OfBusiness.

In about 10 years, OfBusiness has created two unicorns, the other being - Oxyzo, established in 2016 - the financial services arm of OfBusiness, which supports over 2 million SMEs with working capital. The Company’s AI enabled platform, Nexizo.AI, processes 25 million data points annually for more than 50 million Government Tenders and Documents - helping SMEs in business growth.

OfBusiness has recently announced its expansion of the steel business, infusing about Rs. 3000 crores in the next three years. The company supplies steel to companies such as L&T, Adani, J Kumar, Dilip Buildcon, Ashoka Buildcon. OfBusiness also plans to get into new categories such as pre-painted galvanized iron (PPGI) adding onto thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) bars and structures.

The expansion of business would also enhance engagement with transporters for additional trucks and create more employment opportunities.

OfBusiness is USD 2.5 billion in revenues.

The company posted a profit after tax of Rs. 79 crores for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs. 1,512 crores.

Reflecting on the company’s performance, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express Ltd., said, “Our Q3 performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of our diverse B2B & B2C solutions. This quarter’s achievements highlight our ability to navigate market dynamics effectively, leveraging disciplined execution and operational excellence. We continue to deliver consistent growth and long-term value, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner for all stakeholders.”

Discussing the business outlook, he emphasized, “We remain focused on building a future-ready logistics ecosystem by investing in sustainability, scalability, and service excellence. Our strategic initiatives focus on enhancing efficiency and environmental responsibility, enabling us to deliver seamless and reliable solutions. These efforts reinforce our position as the logistics provider of choice for the nation, meeting India’s evolving logistics needs.”

Blue Dart’s exceptional service quality, supported by automation and technology, continues to provide customers with seamless, one-stop logistics solutions. Building on its legacy of leadership, innovation, and customer-centricity, Blue Dart is accelerating sustainable growth through strategic initiatives that capitalize on structural tailwinds in key markets and industries. The company’s positive outlook highlights its drive to enhance market presence and increase customer engagement across its portfolio, delivering exceptional value to its partners. Recently recognized as India's Top Value Creator 2024 in the transport and logistics category, Blue Dart reaffirms its commitment to operational excellence and its position as the nation’s leading trade enabler.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

HORICAL | AWCL | Birth Marque | AWCL is now HORICAL

HORICAL aims to deliver smoother, more efficient services that span the entire supply chain, from transportation to warehousing and beyond. With a customer-centric focus, HORICALians are dedicated to providing door-to-door services, ensuring a reliable experience for every client.

Since its inception in 2018, AWCL has excelled in providing top-tier container freight station services, ensuring the smooth movement of containerized cargo from port to destination. With state-of-the-art technology and robust infrastructure, APOLLO CFS has consistently met international standards, establishing itself as a trusted name in container freight logistics. Strategically located in Kattupalli, near major ports, HORICAL’s AWCL CFS boasts the only container freight station in the area, featuring cutting-edge equipment and a team of seasoned professionals. The facility spans over 10 acres and includes a paved container yard capable of handling over 4,500 TEUs monthly, with plans to increase capacity to 7,000 TEUs soon. It also has a 60,000 sq. ft. covered warehouse area for export cargo and a fully Wi-Fi- enabled computer network integrated with EDI - Customs.

HORICAL stands out for its comprehensive services and strong partnerships. The company owns a fleet of trailers, ensuring smooth and timely transport of PNR containers while reducing transit time and costs. With the backing of Customs Brokers and major shipping lines, HORICAL eliminates transit risks and streamlines operations. Partnerships with global logistics giants underline its commitment to excellence.

Acquired by Chennai-based promoters in March 2022, HORICAL has been on an increasing spree of business, aligning with the nation’s growth and the growing demand in the logistics sector.

With the guidance of the board of directors, including Mr. Suresh Kumar, Mr. Purushothaman, and Mr. Saravanan, HORICAL focuses on innovative strategies and a fresh perspective. Their collective vision includes enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, aligning with HORICAL’s mission to deliver seamless and efficient services. Under the leadership of Managing Director Mr. Saravanan, HORICAL also aims to provide a range of allied services under EMR services, SCS, and unified logistics. By leveraging cutting-edge systems and processes, HORICAL aims to offer unparalleled services, ensuring customers receive comprehensive, unified logistics solutions tailored to their needs. The logistics industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in technology and the increasing importance of supply chain resilience.

According to a recent report by The Economist, 55% of executives anticipate significant supply-chain disruptions, highlighting the need for innovative and proactive logistics solutions. Additionally, the integration of AI and digital tools is transforming supply chains, enhancing operational capabilities and creating new job opportunities. These trends position HORICAL to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient and resilient logistics services.

HORICAL provides advanced technology platforms, world-class equipment, and efficient processes, supported by user-friendly IT systems, secure parking zones, and 24/7 safety. The company operates a 6-acre EMR facility near the CFS and another 5-acre facility near Napalayam, offering strategic advantages in cost and transit time reduction. HORICA’s commitment to excellence is evident in its vast global network, linking businesses and consumers across continents. The company believes that logistics is about building connections, fostering growth, and driving success together. With state-of-the-art technology and a dedicated team, HORICAL is poised to redefine the future of logistics and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Publisher detail: Birth Marque, one of the key players in the premium branding and brand promotion company field across India, has established itself as the best branding and brand promotion company in Chennai. Founded by Shailendra Shivakumar, Birth Marque is proud to announce its partnership with HORICAL – the best CFS company in Chennai, for their rebrand launch. Known for its innovative approach, Birth Marque is a top branding company in Chennai and is recognized as one of the best event management companies in chennai. The agency specializes in metaverse, NFT, community building, and brand-building activities, along with expertise in web development companies in Chennai and is also actively associated with Plant A Billion Trees, PABT  Best NGO for CSR Activity.

FIEO Signs MoU with Credlix

By combining FIEO’s extensive network with Credlix’s expertise in financial services, the partnership aims to address key challenges faced by exporters. Initiatives include workshops, trainings, financing advisory and technological support to raise awareness - a solution that helps businesses scale their operations effectively.

Mr. Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO, Credlix, stated, “We are proud to collaborate with FIEO to empower Indian exporters on their path to growth and self-reliance. This partnership shows our shared commitment to overcoming key trade challenges. Through innovative financial and logistical support, we aim to simplify export operations and help businesses establish a strong presence in global markets.”

The partnership includes technological and logistical solutions from Credlix, such as warehousing and supply chain management, to address exporters’ operational hurdles. FIEO will actively promote the initiative, encourage exporter participation, and guide businesses in navigating complex global markets.

Dr. Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, FIEO, remarked, “This collaboration with Credlix marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s vision of self-reliance and strengthening its export sector. By providing SMEs with financial and logistical resources, we aim to help them overcome barriers, enhance operational efficiency, and capitalize on opportunities in international trade.”

Dr. Sahai further highlighted the liquidity gap and lack of credit flow in the Indian economy, which has posed persistent challenges for exporters. “Export finance remains a critical issue for various segments, particularly for MSMEs, which are the backbone of India’s export ecosystem,” he noted.

The MSME sector contributed 45.73% of India’s exports in 2023-24, yet it continues to struggle with limited access to export finance. With 35,000 members, primarily from the MSME segment, FIEO sees this MoU as a pivotal step in addressing these challenges and unlocking growth opportunities for exporters.

This alliance is set to simplify export operations, enhance business capabilities, and accelerate the growth of Indian exporters, contributing to India’s economic progress and reinforcing its position in global trade.

About Credlix
Credlix is a global leader in supply chain financing, dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to SMEs worldwide. Focused on delivering rapid, collateral-free access to working capital, Credlix helps businesses optimize cash flow and achieve their growth potential.

About Moglix
Moglix is one of Asia’s largest B2B commerce companies, empowering manufacturing and infrastructure businesses to transform their supply chains from procurement to distribution. As the first B2B commerce unicorn in manufacturing, Moglix supports over 1,000 large manufacturers and 3,000+ factories with a valuation of $2.6 billion.

About FIEO

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is an apex trade promotion body set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industries in 1965 with its members contributing around 70% of India’s exports. With 16 offices on PAN India basis, FIEO works to support and promote India’s export fraternity by providing valuable resources, market access, policy advocacy and networking opportunities for businesses.

FedEx International Connect Plus Expands Global Reach, Enhancing access for India’s e-tailers
 

FedEx aims to empower India’s growing e-commerce sector, projected to reach USD 325 billion⁽¹⁾ by 2030. With third-party logistics anticipated to manage nearly 17 billion⁽²⁾ shipments over the next seven years, dependable, flexible, and affordable international shipping has never been more essential. FICP meets this demand by simplifying cross-border logistics and enhancing customer satisfaction with flexible delivery options.
 

“E-commerce is accelerating cross-border trade, and businesses need smart, cost-effective solutions that expand reach without compromising speed and flexibility,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President of Marketing and Air Network, MEISA, FedEx. “Our focus is on creating efficient, agile supply chain solutions for India’s evolving e-commerce landscape. By combining our advanced physical and digital networks, we aim to better serve our customers—especially the small- and mid-sized businesses that drive growth in today’s competitive economy.”

Other benefits of FICP for E-Commerce

• Seamless E-commerce Integration: Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms ensures a smooth, paperless shipping process for businesses and customers.

• Enhanced Customer Control and Visibility: Through FedEx Delivery Manager®, customers can track shipments and adjust delivery schedules in real-time. Additionally, Picture Proof of Delivery (PPoD)* provides visual confirmation of delivery and reassure recipients that their package has been delivered, boosting convenience and satisfaction.

• Flexible Delivery Options: Customers can select from multiple delivery choices, including residential delivery or pick-up at a nearby retail location or locker.

• Weekend and Evening Delivery^~: Enables delivery at times that best suit customer schedules, avoiding delays.

• Added Savings^{^}: Includes waivers on the ‘Residential Delivery surcharge’ and the ‘Remote Area Delivery’ surcharge, providing additional cost savings for businesses.

FedEx also supports global commerce with a suite of digital solutions designed to streamline logistics. Tools like FedEx Delivery Manager, FedEx One Stop Shop, and the FedEx Import Tool simplify processes with centralized documentation, online payment options, and customized delivery preferences, further enhancing the value and convenience for businesses looking to expand their international reach.

*Availability of services and transfer times may vary depending on origin and destination. For more details, please contact your sales representative or visit fedex.com.

^~Availability of services in select destinations. For more details, please contact your sales representative or visit fedex.com.

^{^} ‘Residential Delivery’ surcharge waiver available in all destinations and ‘Remote Area Delivery’ surcharge waiver applicable for select destinations. For more details, please contact your sales representative or visit fedex.com.

About Federal Express Corporation

Federal Express Corporation is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. Federal Express Corporation uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments by a definite time and date.
 

^[1] www.ibef.org/industry/ecommerce

‘Merry Express’ offer

Customers can avail themselves of a up to 40% off on domestic shipments weighing between 2-10 kg, and up to 50% off on international shipments with specific weights ranging from 3-25 kg across India. The offer applies to both domestic priority and international shipments, with terms and conditions. As a customer-centric company, Blue Dart is committed to continuously enhancing its products and services, providing customers with added value during this festive season. With the 'Merry Express' offer, customers can send festive gifts to over 56,000 locations across India and 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company leverages advanced technology and automation to ensure the speed, safety, and reliability of each delivery, consistently providing excellence at every touchpoint.

"We are excited to offer this special promotion as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering joy and ensuring seamless experiences for our customers during the festive season," said Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart. "Our Merry Express offer embodies our dedication to providing innovative solutions, speed, and reliability, making it easier for our customers to share their festive cheer with loved ones across the globe."

This limited-time offer is available at all Blue Dart retail stores and extends to home bookings with doorstep pickup at no additional cost.

Customers can contact Blue Dart's Customer Care at 1860 233 1234 or email customerservice@bluedart.com.

For more information or to book shipments, visit www.bluedart.com.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

At the heart of this transformation are logistics solutions revolutionizing the e-commerce ecosystem, with FarEye leading the charge. As a global pioneer in last-mile technology, FarEye recently celebrated a decade-long partnership with Blue Dart, a trailblazer in express logistics. Together, this collaboration has achieved significant advancements in delivery efficiency and set new benchmarks for customer satisfaction by delivering superior, tech-enabled experiences tailored to the dynamic needs of the e-commerce sector.

On the strategic partnerships, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, stated, “Our commitment to delivering exceptional service and customer satisfaction has been instrumental in establishing our leadership position in India's e-commerce sector. By leveraging advanced technology and strategic partnerships, we're empowering businesses to thrive in this dynamic market."

Gautam Kumar, COO and Co-founder of FarEye, added, “Over the last decade, we’ve worked closely with Blue Dart to continuously enhance delivery operations through real-time tracking, route optimization, and AI-driven efficiencies. Our joint efforts have not only improved delivery accuracy but also elevated the customer experience, driving growth and sustainability in the logistics industry."

On transforming express logistics, Vikram Mansukhani, Chief of Operations, Blue Dart, said, “Technology is revolutionizing express logistics operations, enabling us to redefine last-mile delivery with unmatched precision, efficiency, and reliability. By harnessing cutting-edge tools and innovations, we’re not just meeting the growing demands of e-commerce but setting new benchmarks in operational excellence and customer satisfaction.”

As India's e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, Blue Dart, powered by strategic partnerships with technology leaders like FarEye, is well-positioned to lead the way in delivering seamless, efficient, and sustainable logistics solutions.

About FarEye
FarEye is a leading provider of last-mile technology solutions, enabling businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences while improving efficiency and sustainability. FarEye’s AI-powered platform helps companies optimize their delivery operations with real-time visibility, intelligent route orchestration, and personalized customer experiences. Trusted by over 150 customers across 30 countries, FarEye is on a mission to ensure every delivery reaches its destination on time, accurately, and sustainably.

FarEye. First Choice for Last Mile.

This is a perfect blend of path-breaking technology providers and an industry-leading logistics network to collaborate and bring to their customers the best mix of both. Affiliates benefit from partnering with a trusted, market-leading brand, gaining access to the world-class and industry-best network and early access to Blue Dart’s cutting-edge technology solutions and APIs. A dedicated support team ensures smooth collaboration, allowing affiliates to focus on building their solutions while Blue Dart handles all logistics needs. Looking ahead, the program will offer future-ready integration, including access to Blue Dart-DHL product lines through a single-window solution, driving long-term growth and innovation.

Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart

On the launch, Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart said, “At Blue Dart, innovation is at the core of everything we do. The launch of our Affiliate Program strengthens our commitment to collaborating with technology providers and offering world-class express logistics solutions. This program represents a unique opportunity for technology partners to expand their service offerings, increase revenue, and deliver best-in-class logistics capabilities to their customers.”

Blue Dart, with over four decades of industry experience, stands at the forefront of express logistics, celebrated for its reliability, resilience, and innovative approach. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology and deep operational knowledge, Blue Dart ensures seamless end-to-end logistics solutions.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

BonV Aero, an Odisha-based deep tech startup, has officially launched Air Orca, India’s first fully autonomous logistics drone. This milestone in India’s drone and logistics technology gained further significance through the presence of renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper, known for his early investments in companies like Tesla and Hotmail, along with Inflection Point Ventures, Headstart Investment Circle, Beyond Ventures, Indus Bridge Venture, IIT Mandi Catalyst, Sri Sri University and other industry veterans.

American Investor, Tim Draper launches BonV Aero’s Air Orca eVTOL

Draper's backing highlights international interest in BonV Aero, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for advanced technological innovation. “Today’s launch of Air Orca marks an important advancement for India’s logistics sector and for us as an Odisha-based company,” said Satyabrata Sathapathy, CEO of BonV Aero. “Developing and manufacturing this drone indigenously has allowed us to tailor it for India’s needs. Tim Draper’s support strengthens the impact of this launch, and we’re grateful for his involvement as we aim to extend Air Orca’s benefits to both civilian and defence applications across India.”

Tim Draper expressed his enthusiasm at the event, stating, “It’s exciting to witness the launch of Air Orca here in Odisha. Autonomous drones like Air Orca provide practical solutions for modern logistics by expanding reach, flexibility and reliability with myriad use cases from disaster response to high-altitude operations for the defence forces. With the recent hurricanes in the US fresh in my mind, I anticipate that BonV Aero’s innovation can be an effective tool for disaster response in India and globally.”

The Air Orca is fully designed, developed and manufactured by BonV Aero in India. With advanced autonomous capabilities, Air Orca is engineered to tackle diverse logistical challenges, particularly in regions where traditional transportation methods are impractical. The drone is designed to serve as a first responder in post-disaster scenarios, delivering relief supplies and providing critical support during emergencies. Its high-altitude capabilities make it suitable for military logistics operations in challenging terrains, including the Himalayan region, at elevations of nearly 20,000 feet. BonV Aero is the first Indian company to set a world record by lifting a 30 kg payload at Umling La, Ladakh, the highest motorable road pass at 19,024 feet. This performance outshines other modes of aerial transport such as helicopters, that face greater challenges when transporting similar cargo at such high altitudes.

With Air Orca, BonV Aero aims to address a variety of logistics needs across sectors like healthcare, e-commerce, military logistics and disaster management on a global scale. This launch underlines the growing role of Odisha-based companies in India’s technology ecosystem and demonstrates how localised innovation is gaining national and international recognition.

For more info please visit: www.bonvaero.com.

“At FedEx, we have a vision to make supply chains smarter for everyone by leveraging advanced data and technology to better serve our customers and their customers, thereby extending our reach and impact,” said Raj Subramaniam, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation. “The ‘FedEx Effect’ represents our relentless commitment to excellence, economic growth, and the communities where we live and work.”

The report highlights FedEx's role in strengthening India's logistics infrastructure and promoting seamless global trade. FedEx directly contributed 0.1% to net economic output in the Transportation, Storage, and Communications sector in the region. In addition, FedEx indirectly contributed an estimated USD 280 million to the region’s overall economy in FY 2024. Key investments included modernizing the gateway facility at the New Delhi Cargo Complex, which enhanced export capabilities and reduced transit times for Indian exporters, helping them reach global markets in just two to three days. FedEx introduced the FedEx Import Tool (FiT), a centralized digital platform that streamlines document management and customs clearance, empowering Indian businesses with more efficient import processes. FedEx further demonstrated its commitment to innovation by investing USD10 million in Centers of Excellence at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras, utilizing India’s technological expertise to build smarter, more resilient supply chains.

“At FedEx, we’re proud to be part of India’s aspiration to lead on the global stage,” said Kami Viswanathan, regional president, FedEx MEISA. “Whether it’s helping businesses diversify into emerging technologies, supporting India’s dynamic youth, or connecting the country’s digital innovations to the world. Through sustainable solutions and our enhanced infrastructure, we are committed to contributing to both India’s economic and environmental progress.” 

FedEx is actively supporting the Government of India’s sustainability goals through partnerships that foster positive change in communities. Through support of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its Mobility and Access Program (MAP), FedEx is helping public transportation systems in India become more efficient, safer, and more sustainable—aligning with the country’s goal of deploying 50,000 electric buses by 2027.
 

Additionally, by donating electric vehicles to the Akshaya Patra Foundation, FedEx helps the NGO save on fuel costs, allowing them to provide meals to 550,000 additional children throughout the academic year. FedEx also promotes circularity by upcycling old uniforms into school bags for underserved communities.

Globally, in FY2024, FedEx contributed over USD 85 billion in direct economic impact and its indirect contributions to total worldwide net economic output reached an estimated $39 billion. FedEx contributions accounted for approximately 0.9% of overall net economic output in the Transportation, Storage, and Communications sector, as defined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). These contributions demonstrate the company’s broad-reaching impact across various sectors, creating value and fostering growth around the world.
 

Read the full FY 2024 FedEx Global Economic Impact Report and explore the FedEx Effect in communities and regions around the world at fedex.com/economicimpact.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. With annual revenue of $88 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

The company posted Rs. 60.76 crore profit after tax for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Revenue from operations for the same period stood at Rs. 1,448.46 crore. Blue Dart's exceptional service quality, strengthened by advanced automation and technology, remains a cornerstone of its operations, providing customers with a seamless, one-stop solution for all their logistics needs.

Reflecting on the company's performance, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart Express Ltd., stated, 'During the quarter, we achieved strong year-on-year revenue growth, showcasing our robust performance across both established and sunrise sectors. Our increased earnings capacity enables us to strategically invest in expanding our network, including the deployment of new aircraft into our fleet to enhance our service offerings and meet our customers' evolving needs. Following this, we are also investing in the development of strategic ground hubs and delivery centers for B2B and e-commerce distribution. These investments are designed to enhance scalability, flexibility, accuracy, and speed across our entire network, driving sustainable future growth. By staying agile and innovative, we are well-positioned to seize emerging opportunities and deliver even greater value to our customers.

The company’s positive outlook underlines its readiness to capitalize on future prospects while maintaining its reputation as the provider of choice. Blue Dart is accelerating sustainable growth through its various initiatives, focusing on structural tailwinds in fast-growing geographies and industry sectors, including the megatrend of e-commerce. As a trusted trade facilitator, Blue Dart continues to expand its share of wallet (SOW) in key markets, setting industry standards and driving value for its partners.

About Blue Dart Express Ltd.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

The AI-powered solution ensures that only system-authorized drivers can operate fleet vehicles. It marks a notable achievement in ensuring vehicle safety and is being lauded by industry stakeholders as a revolutionary initiative.

Challenges of the Traditional Approach

Fleet managers have long struggled with the issue of unauthorized drivers controlling their vehicles during the trip. Traditional authentication methods bear critical flaws, making the processes ineffective:

• ID cards can be easily duplicated

• PIN verification could be done remotely

Unauthorized vehicle access poses risks involving:

• vehicle safety

• driver safety  

• cargo safety

• vehicle efficiency

• fuel consumption and

• overall fleet performance

Decoding the midway driver change puzzle, the Fleetx solution integrates video telematics and AI to automate driver verification. This seamless system eliminates human error, duplication, and unauthorized vehicle operations.

The Fleetx Innovation

“AI is transforming industries everywhere, and at Fleetx, we’re at the forefront of this shift with access to extensive data sets that allow us to address real-world challenges in transportation and logistics. We’ve been working on various AI-driven use cases, and today, we’re excited to launch one of the most requested solutions by our customers: driver identification and authorization. This has been a significant challenge for transporters and fleet operators, and existing RFID card-based solutions are often prone to manipulation. Our video telematics solution offers a secure, AI-powered approach to authenticate drivers, bringing a new level of reliability and accountability to fleet operations,” states Mr. Vineet Sharma, CEO & Co-Founder of Fleetx.

The Fleetx-engineered system integrates in-cabin cameras, facial recognition technology, and machine learning (ML) algorithms to generate periodic, real-time driver verification. The process follows the following steps:

• When the driver starts the vehicle, the camera automatically captures the individual’s image

• The image is validated against pre-registered driver profiles in the Fleetx database

• The auto-verification process is periodically repeated at frequent intervals while the vehicle is in motion

• Anomalies trigger an immediate system alert to the fleet manager

The automated process intercepts unsanctioned access and prompts immediate action. Moreover, this technology can be amalgamated with driver behavior monitoring tools to create a comprehensive safety profile. Assessing driver performance, minimizing accident probabilities, and improving overall efficiency are valuable benefits for fleet managers.

How is the Fleetx Solution Aiding Fleet Owners and Operators?

Enhanced Security: Enabling only system-authorized drivers to drive vehicles has enabled fleet managers to reduce thefts, unwarranted use, and safety risks.   

Compliance-Centric: In industries such as logistics, mining, and construction, stringent regulatory norms apply. The driver authentication feature assists in maintaining compliance by ensuring only certified or authorized personnel drive the vehicles.

Cost Efficiency: Higher fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear are often proportional to unauthorized vehicle usage. A robust monitoring system reduces such unnecessary expenses.

Streamlined Operations: Replacing manual authentication with a repetitive, automated system saves valuable business time and resources, allowing fleet managers to streamline their core operations.

Fleetx: Building a Future-Ready Transport Architecture

Fleetx is dedicated to enhancing innovation in fleet safety and efficiency, reforming the industry with its latest market offering. With over 7 years of industry expertise, the co-founders thoroughly explored the challenges Indian transporters face and ensuring overall vehicle safety emerged as a primary concern. Leveraging advancements such as AI, IoT, and machine learning, the development team instituted a unique solution to tackle the recurring problem of mid-journey driver switching - a major concern for clients.

Cutting-edge technologies from Fleetx - including predictive maintenance, real-time vehicle tracking, and AI-enabled video telematics - have made Indian fleet operations smarter. Equipped with the latest technology enhancements, Fleetx remains committed to driving continuous progress in the industry.

Allcargo Gati to roll out 1,700+ rebranded vehicles with Alternate Fuel Solutions for First & Last Mile Delivery

On the back of the ongoing implementation of government policy initiatives such as PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan, National logistics policy and Bharatmala, Allcargo Gati is further expanding its service network in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Commenting on the rollout of the rebranded fleet, Uday Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer, Allcargo Gati Limited, said, “The launch of our rebranded fleet underscores our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. By integrating cutting-edge technology with enhanced efficiency, the AFVs are designed to reduce our carbon footprint while driving cost-effectiveness for our customers.”

“Roll out of our rebranded fleet marks a bold step toward a faster, more reliable, and environmentally responsible delivery experience. These rebranded vehicles will better meet the dynamic needs of the market. The initiative is in line with the Group’s vision to reduce ecological footprint by implementing innovative solutions,” said Kaushal Shetty, Head, Marketing and Transformation, Allcargo Gati. 

Allcargo Gati serves over 5,400 pin codes directly, with access to 19,800 pin codes, covering 735 out of 739 districts in India. The newly rebranded trucks feature superior fuel efficiency, and sustainability features to meet diverse and growing demands of the customers.

Allcargo Gati is part of Allcargo Group, a global logistics conglomerate with over 300 offices in 180 countries, offering International Air, Ocean and Multimodal Freight solutions, Inland Container Depots and Warehousing, bringing international-standard expertise to logistics operations across continents.

About  Allcargo Gati Limited (ACLGATI | 532345 | INE152B01027)
Allcargo Gati (formerly Gati which was founded in 1989) is one of India’s premier Express Distribution provider. With a strong presence across Asia, including a nationwide network that covers 99% of the country's districts, Allcargo Gati’s unparalleled reach creates the unique advantage of covering every part of India. Company’s integrated and IT-backed multi-modal network allows it to offer end-to-end supply chain solutions specific to varied business requirements. The strategic collaboration with Allcargo enables Allcargo Gati to leverage the strengths of parent’s global network operating in more than 180 countries and enhance its products and services portfolio. Key business verticals of Allcargo Gati include Express Distribution, Air Freight, E-commerce, First and Last Mile Logistics, etc. It also offers exclusive B2C services like Laabh, Bike Express, Student Express, and others. Its services and solutions have been designed to be flexible and scalable to meet the needs of different businesses across various industry sectors. Allcargo group stays true to its strong commitment to adhere to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and continues to direct efforts towards enhancing its people, technology as well as business processes and operations on a regular basis. The group has set out to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2040. Recently brand Gati has been Recognized as a Well-Known Trademark by the Indian Trademark Registry.

For more details: Visit: www.gati.com.

DHL Express, the global leader in international express services, is adding to the festive cheer of Diwali by offering customers discounts on international and domestic outbound shipments. This limited-time offer, valid until 02^nd November, 2024, allows customers to share festive greetings and gifts with their loved ones across the world while enjoying up to 50% off on international shipments and up to 40% off on domestic shipments. Customers can visit express-resources.dhl.com/Diwali2024_DHLExpress.html to receive the promotion code and avail the offer.

DHL Express is offering customers up to 50% off on international outbound shipments and up to 40% off on domestic outbound shipments

As one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, Diwali, the festival of light, is an occasion for families to come together and exchange sweets and gifts. DHL Express recognizes the importance of togetherness during these times. It aims to bring loved ones together despite being miles apart, by providing customers with reliable and cost-effective shipping solutions. Customers can enjoy up to 50% off on international shipments weighing between 3 kg and 25 kg; while a 40% discount is offered on domestic shipments weighing between 2kg and 10kg. The offer is available at over 650 DHL Express service points across India.

Notably, customers can opt for an environmentally friendly shipping option. Through the DHL GoGreen Plus service, which uses the book-and-claim method, the buyer ‘books’ a specific quantity of sustainable aviation fuel at the time of purchase and then ‘claims’ the greenhouse gas emissions reduction toward their sustainability targets. Sustainable aviation fuel reduces Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions for DHL’s customers. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its global logistics network.

Sandeep Juneja, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, DHL Express India said, “Diwali is a time to celebrate and connect, and we are proud to present an offer that brings our customers closer to their loved ones while delivering value through competitive rates. At DHL, we understand the importance of seamless, reliable logistics, particularly during festive seasons, when timely and efficient deliveries are paramount. We remain committed to delivering superior logistics solutions that ensure these connections are maintained. Additionally, our continued focus on sustainability through initiatives like GoGreen Plus, underscores our dedication to offering innovative solutions that allow customers to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on quality or efficiency."

Utilizing DHL's extensive global network, which spans more than 220 countries and territories, customers can easily send their Diwali gifts. The offer ensures complete shipment visibility, with proactive SMS and email updates ensuring smooth and hassle-free deliveries worldwide. To inquire about this offer, customers can contact DHL Express via the toll-free number 1800 11 1345 or visit the DHL website at mydhl.express.dhl/in/en/home.html#/createNewShipmentTab to get a quote and book a shipment online.

DHL – Excellence. Simply delivered

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.​

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81.8 billion euros in 2023. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

Blue Dart - Diwali Express Offer 2024

During this period, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 40% on domestic shipments weighing between 2 and 10 kg, and up to 50% on international non-document shipments weighing 3 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, and 25 kg, reaching key markets. This offer is applicable for both domestic priority and international shipments, with conditions applied.

Blue Dart’s ‘Diwali Express’ offer provides the perfect opportunity for customers to share festive cheer by sending gifts such as hampers, sweets, and apparel. With the capability to reach over 56,000 locations across India and 220 countries and territories worldwide, Blue Dart ensures that every gift arrives on time to brighten the festivities. Blue Dart continues to elevate the customer experience by offering innovative and value-driven solutions. The ‘Diwali Express’ promotion further emphasizes the company’s commitment to reliability, speed, and customer-centricity.

This offer is available at all Blue Dart retail stores and extends to home bookings with doorstep pickup service at no additional cost. Customers can contact Blue Dart’s Customer Care at 1860 233 1234 or email customerservice@bluedart.com. For the nearest Blue Dart location or to book shipments, visit www.bluedart.com.

About Blue Dart

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

Delhivery strengthens customer safety with Truecaller's Advanced Call Solution
 

In the fast-paced world of logistics, timely and effective communication is critical. Delhivery, which serves over 33,000+ businesses ranging from top brands such as Nykaa and Flipkart to Micro SMEs, has adopted the Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID solution to address the everyday challenges of missed and rejected calls due to a lack of trust and context. This strategic move ensures Delhivery can provide its users with a trusted, seamless, and secure communication experience.
 

Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID enhances brand elements like company name, logo, category name, and verification tick to help customers identify the call. This builds trust and assures confidence while communicating with Delhivery. This is especially crucial given Delhivery's role in logistics for major brands, where each interaction needs to be transparent for the customer.
 

Delhivery leverages Truecaller’s Call Reason capability, which adds more context to their calls by displaying the purpose of the call beforehand. Using Truecaller’s dynamic APIs to personalize call reasons for each delivery request. This customization is essential for Delhivery, given its role as the logistics partner for multiple major brands, ensuring that each communication is personalized and transparent to the end customer.
 

Commenting on this exciting development, Kapil Bharati, CTO at Delhivery, stated, “Our strategic partnership with Truecaller is a step towards ensuring efficiency and trust for our clients and their customers. The Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID solution helps us provide a better experience to our customers and our delivery executives, while reducing the risks of fraud and spam.”
 

Speaking about the partnership, Priyam Bose, Global Head GTM & Developer Products, Truecaller, said, "At Truecaller, we are dedicated to facilitating communication safety and efficiency for businesses. Our Verified Business Caller ID solution is designed to build trust, enabling customers to recognise legitimate calls and provide significant value and protection to consumers. We are ecstatic to collaborate with Delhivery, as the partnership aligns with our commitment to enhancing the customer experience and providing secure communication across the logistics ecosystem.”
 

The Verified Business Caller ID solution enhances business call efficiency and significantly reduces phone call-related frauds and scams, promoting customer safety in business communications. This safety feature is a crucial benefit of the solution.
 

The strategic collaboration between Delhivery and Truecaller is a testament to their shared commitment to transforming customer communication. This partnership is dedicated to elevating the standard of trust and transparency in every business interaction within the logistics sector.

About Delhivery

Delhivery is India's largest fully-integrated logistics services provider. With its nationwide network covering over 18,700 pin codes, the company provides a wide range of logistics services such as express parcel transportation, Part Truckload freight, Truck load freight, cross-border, supply chain, and technology services. Since its inception, Delhivery has successfully fulfilled over 3 billion shipments and today works with over 33,000 customers, including large and small e-commerce participants, consumers, SMEs, and other enterprises and brands.
 

For more information about Delhivery, please visit www.delhivery.com.

About Truecaller

We enable safe and relevant conversations between people and make it efficient for businesses to connect with consumers. Fraud and unwanted communication are endemic to digital economies, especially in emerging markets. We are on a mission to build trust in communication. Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 400 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 46 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2023. Headquartered in Stockholm since 2009, we are a co-founder-led, entrepreneurial company with a highly experienced management team. Truecaller has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Visit truecaller.com for more information. 
 

For more information, please visit business.truecaller.com.

Average rate increase of 6.9%, will be effective as of January 1, 2025
 

“We are committed to delivering stable and dependable services globally despite the ongoing impact of geopolitical dynamics and supply chain disruptions on the logistics landscape,” said R. S. Subramanian, SVP – South Asia, DHL Express. “With the annual price adjustment, we can continue to invest in our network to enhance its resilience and adaptability, ensuring consistent support for our customers' businesses regardless of external circumstances.”
 

Prices are adjusted on an annual basis by DHL Express, taking into consideration inflation and currency dynamics as well as administrative costs related to regulatory and security measures. National and international authorities regularly update these measures in the more than 220 countries and territories that DHL Express serves. Depending on local conditions, price adjustments will vary from country to country.

For more information, please visit www.dhl.com/in-en/home.html.

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.​
 

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81.8 billion euros in 2023. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.