The global shipping industry is sailing through turbulent waters since the last few years. Reduced demand for containers, increased turnaround times at ports, unprecedented fall in crude oil prices, high costs, cargo rollover and blank sailings are perturbing sea traders globally. Amidst the pandemic’s deterring effects, the sector is trying its best to adjust to the new normal by standardising business processes and rolling out innovative technological solutions to stay ahead and support the ecosystem. The shipping and ports sector has realised the need to be ‘United’ in these trying times, as they also feel the threat of a new cold war between China and the US which is touted to be much more devastating for globalisation than the pandemic. Amongst all these, accelerated opportunities towards environment-friendly operations, technological integration and increased investments seem to be the only way possible for this sunshine sector to survive and hope for better days ahead.
Ritika Arora Bhola
The global maritime trade lost momentum in the year 2018-2019—escalating tariff tensions between the US and China, global economic downturn, mounting concerns over the trade policy and political crosscurrents, constant dip in the maritime trade growth, weakening multilateral trading system, growing protectionism led to heightened uncertainty and perpetual disruptions in the maritime supply chain.
But, this wasn’t enough.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic also hit the industry hard and literally sent shockwaves throughout global maritime transport resulting in contraction of production and consumption, decline in shipping demand, instability of shipping services, reduced port traffic and turnover. Combating all the challenges, Ocean Freight is still sailing through the turbulent waters. According to the UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2019, international maritime trade is expected to expand at an average annual growth rate of 3.4 per cent over the year 2019 to 2024—driven in particular by growth in containerised, dry bulk and gas cargoes along with digital transformation and innovation in maritime operations. However, experts believe, uncertainty remains an overriding theme in the current maritime transport environment, with risks tilted towards the downside.
Sankar Narayanan, Manager, Shipping Services, GAC Shipping (India) says the Maritime logistics sector has been facing disruptions in delivery, congestion and irregularities in container movements since the onset of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sea-borne cargo movements have been disrupted for more than a year now. Restrictions at different ports have resulted in temporary trade imbalances. Inventories were blocked and shipping lines were often forced to cancel their schedules in full or skip certain port calls at the last minute, resulting in various capacity constraints. This has caused freight rates to rise to unprecedented levels. Although normalcy has resumed, it may take some time before inventory and freight rates stabilise and reach pre-pandemic levels again,” adds Narayanan.
Expressing a strong hope for the Indian market seeing the avenues opening up despite the second wave of COVID-19, Vikash Agarwal, Managing Director, AP - Moller Maersk South Asia says, “We continue to see an unprecedented demand till date. We highlighted seeing an upward trend in demand in the second half of 2020 itself. The developed economies of North America and Europe continue to have an appetite for Indian goods across home improvement, retail, electronics, apparel and lifestyle, as well as the food industry. The exports demand has constantly been on the rise whereas the imports into India have remained subdued. With the current state of global supply chains, we see the demand plateauing only post the year-end, until then we expect status quo.”
The shipping industry is undoubtedly one of the worst-hit industries worldwide. According to rating agency ICRA, due to the impact of the pandemic and the nationwide lockdown enforced to check the spread of the contagion during April-May in 2020, overall cargo throughput contracted by 22 per cent at Major ports. Steep decline was noticed in cargo segments like petroleum products and liquid cargo, thermal coal and containers. Non-major ports also experienced volumes dipping by 22-24 per cent in this period.
Sandeep Nair, Head of Ocean Freight- South Asia, DHL Global Forwarding agrees.“With the reopening of most establishments across India, coupled with steady demand, DHL is already witnessing ocean freight volumes for India reaching pre-pandemic levels.”
“Demand has significantly outpaced capacity and we expect the situation to continue at least until mid-2022. With several countries in Asia being affected by current pandemic measures, we are seeing a shift of volumes to India, whether these shifts are temporary or long-term, only time will tell. However, one thing is for sure; customers are looking to spread their sourcing to different markets,” says Nair.
“Container traffic had already started posting positive growth numbers by September’20. Since then, traffic at Major ports has been consistently showing strong positive growth,”states Dr Abhijit Singh, Executive Director at Indian Ports Association (IPA). “Although shipping and port activities are mature industries and ongoing technological innovations and long-term growth prospects can help address many of the challenges in trade recovery, it also depends on various other factors including rising protectionism, tariff wars, reconfiguration of supply chains, pace of vaccine rollout, etc.”
What we have seen in this crisis, of course, is both the bad of globalisation and the good of innovation.
And this is something Tim Tudor, CEO of ECU Worldwide also feels. Tudor says that the pandemic has created some significant hurdles for the ocean freight industry, but it has also opened new avenues for logistics companies to build resilience and move towards a digital and sustainable supply chain ecosystem.
“Considering the disruptions, small and medium businesses enterprises (SMBs) and beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) continue to seek flexibility, agility and cost savings depending on their logistics partners to deliver a ‘continual feed’ supply chain system with higher frequency departures. In this context, LCL consolidation remains a poignant solution for SMB players as it seamlessly aggregates small shipments and ships weekly, rather than wait for full-cargo-load to ship—which could take a couple of weeks or more, up until the volume justifies. Triggered by space constraints and escalating rates, the ECU Worldwide LCL segment has seen immense growth and is often the high margin segment in the ocean freight space,” tells Tudor.
Tudor further points out that with the surge in e-commerce trade and imports levels hitting astronomical levels the logistics infrastructure is stressed at the moment. However, he feels, congestion will eventually subside as the backlog clears and the demand for consumer goods decreases.
“The broad expectation is that ports and ocean carriers will be able to catch up on the backlog in early 2022, with a return to some semblance of normalcy by next spring,” hopes Tudor.
Riding out through the waves
Despite the setbacks, a milestone has been achieved by the maritime industry, with the growth graphs going upward in 2021 and the industry embracing digitalisation wholeheartedly.
ICRA says, the effects of the paradigm shift are already being felt. Some services, such as those in container shipping and shipbuilding, are consolidating, while others are expanding their scope to include landside and logistic operations. In addition, some of the shipping lines are calling for more governmental support for shipbuilding activities or financing for the technology needed to develop zero-emission vessels. While adjusting to the new normal may entail some potential challenges, the report observes, it could also open some opportunities.
Supporting this processes calls for improved planning, adequate response measures, as well as flexible and forward-looking transport policies that anticipate change. Amidst the pandemic, the industry stakeholders have also united and working towards enhancing the performance of others in the ecosystem, by improving their overall performance, leaving behind the competition, and standing in solidarity.
But, there is still a lot to do and the industry is looking forward to be able to push forward a common vision to stay connected and innovative.
“Be it any business or operations, if we are resilient and are ready to accept what is thrown at us and adapt to the situation, we should be fine,” says Agarwal. “COVID-19 pandemic has taught is that we must be resilient in whatever we do.”
“The pandemic is taking a lot longer to settle down than what we anticipated in the first place. The uncertainties continue even today and the way the market responded could not have been predicted by anyone. The sectors which are growing such as retail & lifestyle, home appliances and so on, might have to scale up while others might have to look at diversifying to sail through.”
“I personally think that instead of betting bigger, operations need to focus on what is it that the market demands. Customer centricity must take the centre stage for every decision that is made. If the customer or market demands to go big on operations then be it, but if it demands on improving efficiencies, then just going bigger is not the solution,” shares Agarwal.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Nair says, the logistics and supply chain is an ecosystem, and everyone needs to play their part. “Customers on one hand can plan their supply chains better, be more organised and predictable in their manufacturing cycles, and share accurate forecasts. While carriers can help by managing capacity and equipment in line with the forecasts from their customers and focus on schedule reliability. Freight forwarders should focus on customer solutions, using visibility tools such as myDHLi and exception management.”
For Nair, the key challenge, amidst the pandemic, has been of capacity constraints, leading from the huge surge in demand and he feels there will be no new services being introduced or large upsizing of existing services being done anytime soon which can fill up the demand and supply gap.
ECU Worldwide has seen global supply chains facing several disruptions involving congestion, capacity constraints, irregularities in container movement, interrupted ocean freight operations, and importantly a highly skewed air and shipping freight rates. But, Tudor says, the industry can learn from these experiences by building capacity to handle cargo smartly, by prioritising cargo by segment and creating more storage around the port facilities to avoid congestion.
“It will be important to see further investments in expanding port sizes to accommodate for future and rampant digitisation for single window clearances that could reduce wait times. Finally, it will be important for logistics players to introduce short- and long-term greener supply-chain initiatives to maximise business outcome,” asserts Tudor.
Singh points out that Competition and Co-operation both can go hand in hand.
“Although carriers collaborate to improve their operational efficiency, they compete with each other simultaneously. Similarly, many port operators who previously ran only their local business now extended their business scope to the regional or global scale. In the era of global economy, a port no longer enjoys a natural monopoly, as was the case in the past. To cope with this changing business environment, a certain form of competition and co-operation amongst ports is necessary. Thus, “Co-opetition” is the only way forward through which stakeholders can enhance the overall system efficiencies and at the same time maintain a healthy competition,” shares Singh.
Responsive strategies and plans to move forward
ECU Worldwide (the wholly-owned subsidiary of India-based All Cargo Logistics) is strategically poised to overcome challenges like the recent pandemic backed by its strong global network of 4000 people, exhaustive network across 180 countries, door-to-door services in 52 countries, and ECU360—its digital platform for global trade, offering single-window shipping.
“To be relevant in the new normal and deliver to a global network it became imperative for us to be more responsive and agile to customise our solutions to help our clients navigate through trying times,” tells Tudor.
“We leveraged a sea-air service from China to Europe via Los Angeles, called XLERATE. Less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments booked by forwarders were moved via ocean carrier from six Chinese ports to Los Angeles for devanning and placement onto airplanes bound for Europe. Our XLERATE service offers the fastest port-to-port transit time of 10 days from Shanghai to Los Angeles. It is a CFS-to-CFS express service that leverages the industry-leading ocean services of MATSON Navigation.”
DHL has also been working closely with its customers to come up with solutions that address the current challenges. DHL has undertaken several new initiatives which include the launch of LCL Reefer product catering to the pharmaceutical industry, the re-launch of Sea-Air product, and working closely with partner carriers to address the capacity and equipment challenges.
AP - Moller Maersk has accelerated the induction of around 260,000 new dry containers into its fleet in the second quarter this year. This comes after the 400,000 TEUs added to its fleet between July 2020 to January 2021 and in total, an amount significantly higher than what would be in-fleeted under normal circumstances. Equipment supply and the repositioning of empties remain a top priority and teams are working around the clock to reposition them. The company’s strategy to integrate logistics across the journey of the goods gives an opportunity to diversify solutions within the logistics landscape. The company is also strengthening its position in the market while providing customers with a single-window access to all their logistics needs.
GAC has also been able to provide uninterrupted services to its customers despite the challenges because of its in-depth local market expertise, customs clearance capabilities and established global network.
Amidst the pandemic, Singh says, India’s Major ports handled the largest number of seafarers. Various technological/digital inductions were expedited during COVID-19 pandemic to maintain smooth functioning without human interference such as follows:
What’s next on the Agenda?
Despite the downturn, pandemic accelerated opportunities in innovation and digitalisation and left it on the industry stakeholders to use it in the appropriate way. The industry is left with no other option but to adopt technology in order to survive. The pandemic also made the industry move towards 100 per cent CO2 emissions and environment-friendly operations.
At the moment, shipping industry stakeholders—be it customers, shipping lines, terminals, customs and freight forwarders alike have moved towards electronic means of communication, which is paperless and more environment-friendly.
Tudor says, “Our independent and neutral digital platform, ECU 360, is designed to provide digital quoting, booking, invoicing and tracking tools for small forwarders and customs brokers. The platform allows for one window access for booking and tracking shipments, access to historical data and reduced coordination time. There is also real time tracking available on cargo movement. To bolster our digital prowess further, ECU 360 is building out white label solutions for freight forwarders. The staff is also working on renovating the platform further and has been instrumental in building the ‘Freightos Baltic Index’ which is the world’s largest freight index with live, bookable quotes for containers with 80 million daily price points.”
Nair adds, “DHL has been at the forefront of freight forwarding innovation by introducing a range of services including electronic delivery order, digitally signed GST compatible invoices to our customers, online portal for our vendors and business partners to send in their digital invoices, and most recently, our new myDHLi portal, a fully integrated platform for freight forwarding customers which allows them to quote, book, track and calculate carbon emissions. To fight against climate change we are aiming to significantly de-carbonisation, by neutralising emissions through sustainable marine fuel of all our LCL and FCL shipments globally.”
“We are aware that the cost of logistics contributes to about 14-15 per cent of the GDP in India as compared to 8-9 per cent in more developed countries. The inefficiencies in our logistics ecosystem are responsible for this high cost in India. One of the most effective solutions to removing these inefficiencies will be higher adoption of digital solutions,” comments Narayanan.
Together, Maersk and IBM have developed TradeLens—a neutral platform which utilises data from shippers and cargo owners, 3PLs and freight forwarders, intermodal operators, customs and government authorities, ports and terminals, and several ocean carriers.
“Automation is also an extension of what digitalisation and technology can bring to the table. Automation in processes and systems has helped us tremendously in handling customer’s requirements and queries. It has streamlined processes to ensure that customers get rapid resolutions to their requirements,” says Agarwal.
“There is a strong focus on strengthening the digital infrastructure at major ports. This entire ecosystem will be built on open standards with plug-and- play capabilities to allow changes at sub-system levels without affecting other parts and enable a heterogeneous multi-stakeholder environment to collaborate seamlessly,” shares Singh.
Several initiatives have been undertaken in recent times to improve Ease of Doing Business in Indian Maritime sector, Singh notes while listing down various initiatives implemented by the government.
Ecom Express Limited, India’s sole pure-play B2C e-commerce logistics provider as of the Financial Year 2024, has introduced a new brand identity, underscoring its commitment to customer-centricity. This rebranding reflects a focus on addressing specific customer needs, prioritising customer-facing metrics, and integrating innovative technology across its nationwide express logistics network. The goal is to enhance speed, agility, and network reach, ensuring a customer-focused approach. The rebranding includes a dynamic logo and a refreshed visual identity, symbolising Ecom Express’s pursuit of excellence. The new logo features a forward-moving arrow within a square, representing the company’s dedication to delivery. The letter "E" in the logo stands for Expression, Innovation, and Progress, while the bold magenta colour signifies bravery, self-expression, and strength. This vibrant magenta reintroduction reflects Ecom Express's renewed commitment to customers, partners, and team members, as the company aims to simplify and democratise logistics for all. Ajay Chitkara, CEO and MD of Ecom Express, elaborated on the transformation, stating, “Our refreshed brand identity reaffirms our customer-first approach as we continue to integrate technology and innovation to provide reliable, high-speed services with the widest network reach. This transformation also underscores our commitment to our employees and delivery partners, who are essential to our business.” The new logo embodies Ecom Express’s dedication to its core values, focusing on customer welfare and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. This rebranding signifies a promise to redefine logistics through advanced technology, making life easier for all types of customers.
The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) held its 6th EC Meeting for the term 2021-23 on May 27 and 28 in Bengaluru. The meeting was attended by the Office Bearers and 28 Member Association representative of FFFAI from across the country, there were many issues discussed and updates provided concerning customs, CBLR, EDI, Service Tax/GST, logistics, air cargo, sea cargo, skill development,importance of social media which FFFAI has expanded recently, technology developments, etc. The special focus of the 6th EC meeting was the updates on forthcoming 24th Biennial Convention of FFFAI to be held from August 12 to 14, 2022 in Chennai with the theme LOGISTICS RESHAPE, EMBRACE AND SURGE IN THE DIGITAL ERA. At this EC meeting, FFFAI also implemented Digital Learning platform for members and next generation for e-learning. It has been decided that FFFAI would initiate FIATA eFBL here in India to benefit the trade, which empowers customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers. In addition, updates on the recently held FIATA HQ Meet was also provided by the concerned members of FFFAI. FFFAI members present at this EC meeting stressed upon enhancing productivity on ICEGATE for trade facilitation and Ease of Doing Business. The FFFAI members also urged for creating a dedicated portal for LSP integration. As regard to skill development initiatives, IIFF’s (training arm of FFFAI) past and forthcoming training programmes (both online and classroom/physical) for the entire logistics industry were presented at the EC meeting. In addition, FFFAI’s various initiatives on capacity building through technology/IT also discussed withadequate importance. Recent activities of FFFAI Women’s Wing including organising interactive meetings with Government of India officials and industry experts were highlighted at this meeting which drew huge appreciation from the members. The members committed to expand the activities of the Women’s Wing in all the 28 member association locations to empower/encourage the women logistics practitioners. At this EC meeting FFFAI has signed an MoU with the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) with an objective of skilling the aspiring candidates looking for opportunities in the logistics sector. Notably, a special session was organised at this 6th EC Meeting where N Sivasailam, former Special Secretary (Logistics), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India was present to address the FFFAI members and highlight the recent initiatives of the government in strengthening the logistics infrastructure, thereby leading in increase of international trade through multimodal connectivity and faster cargo clearance. He projected the ambitious growth potential of the logistics industry in India with a strong collaboration between government and industry people. Also speaking on the occasion was Bani Bhattacharya, IRS, who interacted with members of FFFAI on various initiatives of CBIC for the trade facilitation without human intervention. FFFAI Chairman Shankar Shinde thanked all the 28 associations for their support and appreciated the contribution of CBIC/DG systems trade facilitation measures. FFFAI Member Associations are: 1. Ahmedabad Custom Brokers' Association2. Aurangabad Customs House Agents Association3. Association of Custom House Agents Thiruvanthapuram4. Bangalore Custom House Agents Association5. Brihnamumbai Custom Brokers Association6. Calcutta Customs House Agents Association7. Chennai Customs House Agents Association8. Cochin Customs Brokers' Association9. Coimbatore Customs House and Steamer Agents Association10. Custom Brokers Association Hyderabad11. Delhi Customs Brokers Association12. Goa Custom Brokers Association13.Indore Customs House Agents Association14. The Kakinada Customs Brokers Association15. Kandla Custom Brokers Association16. Kanpur Customs Brokers Association17. Ludhiana Customs House Agents Association18. Mangalore Customs House Agents Association19. Mundra Customs Brokers Association20. Nagpur Customs House Agents Association21. Nashik Customs House Agents Association22. Nadia Custom Brokers Association23. Pipavav Custom Brokers Association24. Pune Customs House Agents Association25. Rajasthan Customs House Agents Association26.Tuticorin Custom Brokers Association27.Visakhapatnam Cusotms Brokers' Association28.West Bengal Custom House Agents Society FFFAI welcomes Women in Logistics/Youth in Logistics to participate on FFFAI forums and also invites membership application form logistics service providers in industry as this is a big national and international forum to network.
Building a visionary company requires one percent vision and 99 percent alignment. This analogy resonates deeply when we compare the process of building a company to conducting a symphony orchestra. Just as a conductor leads musicians to create a harmonious masterpiece, a successful business and its management fosters alignment among team members to achieve extraordinary success. In the business world, this vision translates into a clear understanding of where the company wants to go and what it aspires to achieve. The one percent of vision acts as the guiding force that sets the stage for greatness. However, a conductor alone cannot create a symphony. The true magic lies in the collective effort of the musicians, each playing their part to perfection. Similarly, in a visionary company, alignment becomes paramount. Every team member needs to be facing in the right direction, equipped with the right skills, and focused on delivering the right results at the right time. By fostering alignment, harnessing the diverse talents within the team, and continuously fine-tuning performance, savvy teams and visionary leaders carry the potential to transform their companies into harmonious and successful organisations that resonate with greatness. Embracing the power of alignment, inspiring teams with a clear vision, and actively cultivating an environment where every member can contribute their unique talents, RE Rogers India has over the years formed an indispensable pillar of business triumph. Most recently, the company orchestrated a symphony of success handling over 300 events in the fiscal year 2023. Four of these were mammoth events taking place in four different cities at around the same time frame. And these were not merely gatherings, they were milestones. The four gigantic events (CPHI and PMEC 2023 – 28 to 30 November at India Expo Centre, Noida; ENGIMACH 2023 – 6 to 10 December at Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat; EXCON 2023 – 12 to 16 December at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bengaluru; PLASTIVISION 2023 – 7 to 11 December at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai) entailed approximately 650 on-ground manpower, 4300 packages, 370 equipment display, and 3600 vehicles. The symphony of greatness bubbled up in RE Rogers India's operational procedures and functions, and the teams and management leadership soared to create a masterpiece of lasting success as always. "To our heroes who faced the challenges head-on in handling their jobs with total finesse, and to our valuable customers who trusted us blindly during our busiest period pan-India: A HUGE THANK YOU!," the RE Rogers India team was quoted expressing in a LinkedIn post. As the demand for large-scale events and exhibitions continues to rise, the need for comprehensive and reliable exhibition logistics services has never been more critical. In India, where the exhibition industry thrives, one name stands out among the rest — RE Rogers India — who have been delivering unparalleled logistical solutions tailored to the unique demands of the exhibition sector. RE Rogers India have years of first-hand, specialist experience in handling every aspect of exhibitions, ranging from freight forwarding, transportation, customs formalities, secure handling of materials, on-time delivery and site assistance and supervision. Remember that logistics is not just about getting your materials from point A to point B; it’s about ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for everyone involved in your exhibition, from exhibitors to attendees. So, if you partner with RE Rogers India, you’re not just hiring a logistics company; you’re bringing a dedicated and reliable team on board to ensure your exhibition materials reach their destination in perfect condition and on time. Having served a variety of clients from both the domestic and international arena, the company has developed deep understanding of the unique challenges of delivering time-critical goods in the face of huge crowds, open day pressure, and complex logistical requirements. RE Rogers India fully understands the value of complete exhibition sets in terms of the clients’ reputation and market standing, ranging from trade show booths, exhibits, and other equipment, which include wooden panels, steel frames, prefabricated designs, bunk houses, E-houses, printed material, lights, electronic items and other display resources. The company therefore takes utmost care to pay close attention to critical things like packing, loading, storing, lifting, etc. so as to eliminate any chance of damage. Due diligence is also exercised in choosing optimum and fastest mode of transport to enable the materials to reach the venue well in time, so as to facilitate timely set-up by the clients team at the venue. Post-exhibition, pick-up and delivery back to the shipper is also handled. With RE Rogers India as your esteemed logistics partner, you can focus on wowing your audience and making the most of your exhibition experience. Under the astute leadership of Ravinder Sethi, RE Rogers India is not just reaching new heights; it is setting successive benchmarks. With the innate ability to see through the intricacies and a commitment to perfection down to the minutest detail, Sethi has steered the company towards a trajectory of unparalleled success. His visionary approach complemented by the team's meticulous attention to excellence have become the driving force behind RE Rogers' ascent in the events and exhibition logistics sector. The collective efforts of Sethi and his entire team continue to sculpt a legacy of precision and excellence in the world of logistics that remains exciting, challenging and rewarding.
A significant milestone has been achieved in the Indo-Bangla railway project with the inauguration of the inaugural freight train connecting Bangladesh's Gangasagar to Tripura's Nischintanpur. This momentous event marks a significant step forward in strengthening the rail connectivity between the two neighboring countries. The new railway connection is set to enhance trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, providing a more efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation for goods. It will not only boost bilateral trade but also promote economic development in the region by opening up new opportunities for businesses and industries. The Indo-Bangla railway project is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity and foster closer ties between the two nations. It is expected to play a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods and passengers, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both countries.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is sharpening its focus on pharmaceuticals and e-commerce shipments to navigate constrained cargo capacity until planned expansion in the 2030s. According to Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President of Air Hub and Cargo Development at Changi Airport Group, current facilities face mounting pressure due to growing regional demand, necessitating strategic tenant and cargo type management. E-commerce continues to be a key growth driver for air cargo globally, fueled by major players like Shein, Temu, and TikTok Shop. At the same time, Singapore is solidifying its position as Southeast Asia’s preferred pharmaceutical hub, attracting investments from global biopharma giants such as Thermo Fisher, Sanofi, BioNTech, and MSD. Looking ahead, Changi Airport plans to launch a second logistics park by the 2030s, aiming to increase its annual cargo capacity from 3 million tons to 5.4 million tons. The new free trade zone will further expedite cargo handling and redistribution. In 2024, Changi Airport reported handling 1.99 million tons of airfreight, a 14.6% rise from 2023, driven by robust cross-border e-commerce demand, improved trade routes with China and the U.S., and recovering electronics exports. Top air cargo markets included China, Australia, the U.S., Hong Kong, and India.
Trade shows are mission-critical, high-investment events where logistics execution directly influences marketing ROI. Exhibitors spend months preparing for a few days on the floor, since a single missed delivery window can jeopardise the entire programme. In this environment, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) trade show logistics is no longer just transportation; it is an orchestration of timing, compliance, risk control, and venue-specific expertise. While standard LTL carriers can handle general freight, elite trade show shippers excel because they are built for the ecosystem — understanding drayage, marshalling yards, target windows, live-loading rules, equipment constraints, and the high-value nature of exhibits. This updated guide unpacks the differentiators that set the best providers apart, enhanced with additional dimensions such as KPIs, risk mitigation frameworks, technology adoption, sustainability practices, and a practical vendor-evaluation checklist. The Key Differentiators of Elite Trade Show Shippers When shipping general freight, a standard LTL carrier may be sufficient. However, event logistics demand a higher level of specialised service. The top trade show shippers possess four key differentiators that distinguish them from the rest. Proactive and Specialised Support Trade shows operate on rigid move-in schedules tied to booth size, dock flow, and decorator rules. The strongest providers deploy dedicated trade show teams who can interpret show manuals, coordinate with decorators, and time deliveries to avoid re-handling fees. Best-in-class partners also: Pre-audit documentation and labels to avoid show-site rejections Manage drayage coordination to reduce dwell and material-handling charges Offer pre-receiving and staging at regional facilities for smoother Day-1 move-ins This advisory-driven model transforms logistics from a cost center into a risk-mitigation service. Flexible Coordination and Network Access Because no two events are alike, trade show logistics demand configurable access to LTL, FTL, hot-shot, air, and international capacity. Top providers match service levels, route constraints, and budget requirements by tapping into broad asset and partner networks. A sophisticated network allows for: Expedited or guaranteed-capacity moves for high-stakes shows Cost-effective options for booth materials that can stage early Lane-specific equipment (air-ride, liftgate, climate-controlled) This flexibility becomes essential during peak show seasons when capacity is tight and timelines narrow. Guaranteed Performance and Asset Protection Event deadlines are immovable. Leading providers commit to guaranteed on-time service, narrow ETA bands, and contingency planning across linehaul and last-mile execution. They also emphasise exhibit protection through: Air-ride suspension fleets Strapping, padding, and vibration-control practices Secure transport protocols for prototypes and LED/AV assets With show participation costs rising, damage and delay prevention become competitive differentiators. End-to-End Visibility and Services Real-time visibility is no longer optional. Tocay, exhibitors rely on it to make staffing, booth-build, and drayage decisions. The best LTL partners deliver: Live tracking from pickup to booth delivery API connectivity with exhibitor dashboards Pre-emptive exception alerts and delay recovery paths For international events, leading providers integrate customs documentation, Carnet handling, temporary import permits, and venue-specific rules, ensuring frictionless handoffs across borders. What Are the Best LTL Logistics Companies for Trade Shows? Several providers exemplify these differentiators. The following firms are selected based on their demonstrated strength in specialised show support, performance-oriented service design, event fluency, flexible coordination and comprehensive offerings that cover pre-show to teardown. 1. Green River Logistics Solutions A brokerage-led model with deep carrier reach, making it ideal for exhibitors with varied lane structures. Key strengths: Highly personalised coordination and single-point-of-contact support Flexible equipment sourcing — LTL, flatbed, refrigerated, heavy haul Real-time updates and precise timing for fragile builds 2. XPO Logistics A multinational leader with a controlled linehaul network and a dedicated Trade Show Desk. Key strengths: Tight schedule integrity Venue-specific coordination and dock navigation Strong performance management systems. 3. TWI Group A global exhibition logistics specialist excelling in international customs and venue compliance. Key strengths: ATA Carnet expertise and cross-border support On-site liaisons at major venues High-touch service model for global exhibitors 4. Averitt A time-definite, reliability-driven carrier focused on window compliance. Key strengths: Guaranteed performance Expertise with marshaling yards and dock appointments Rapid recovery for last-minute constraints 5. TTI Logistics A specialist for fragile and custom builds requiring maximum protection. Key strengths: Air-ride fleets and vibration-controlled handling Precision timing for target-move-ins Advanced security protocols Comparing the Top LTL Logistics Providers for Trade Shows These providers excel in different areas. This table offers a quick comparison of their key service features to help you align their strengths with your specific needs. New Strategic Enhancements Added for a Modern Exhibitor’s Playbook Technology Advancements Worth Evaluating AI-assisted ETA predictions Digital drayage coordination tools IoT-enabled condition monitoring for AV and prototype freight Automated warehouse cut-off compliance checks Risk-Mitigation Practices That Matter Pre-show risk audits Contingency rerouting plans Venue-specific compliance checklists High-value cargo insurance design Sustainability Expectations from Today’s Exhibitors Low-emission or EV linehaul and last-mile options Carbon-neutral freight programs Reusable or recyclable crating solutions Emissions dashboards linked to booth shipments Performance Metrics That Define Best-in-Class Providers On-time delivery to target windows Damage-free shipment percentage Visibility uptime SLA Drayage handoff accuracy Exception-resolution response time How to Vet Your Trade Show Logistics Partner Applying the key differentiators includes asking potential partners the right questions. When your program includes international stops, ask about their documentation process, how they manage Carnets and how visibility will work across handoffs. The following can further validate fit and execution discipline: What is your detailed experience with my venue and decorator? Can you guarantee delivery within target-window constraints? What risk-mitigation plan is activated if my freight misses staging cutoff? What specialised equipment will you use for fragile or custom exhibits? How do you integrate with drayage contractors and marshaling yards? Which visibility tools and tracking integrations are available? Can you manage international customs documentation end-to-end? What sustainability options can be applied to my show calendar? Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Exhibit A logistics provider is more than a freight handler; they are the enabler of your presence on the show floor. The right LTL partner combines timing discipline, technical fluency, equipment strength, and venue intelligence to protect your brand and maximise your event ROI. Elite trade show shippers don’t just move freight; they orchestrate flawless show execution.
The expansion of Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards strengthening trade relations between India and the Gulf region. The enhanced infrastructure and capacity of the port are set to benefit businesses and industries on both sides, facilitating smoother trade and commerce. The expansion of Dammam Port opens up new opportunities for Indian businesses to engage in import and export activities with the Gulf nations. It also serves as a strategic gateway for goods traveling to and from India, further improving the logistics and transportation landscape for businesses. The project showcases the commitment of both India and Saudi Arabia to enhance economic ties and boost bilateral trade. The increased port capacity will help meet the growing demand for trade between the two regions, ultimately contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of both nations.
Air India is setting its sights on a promising future as the exclusive carrier for TATA's iPhone exports. This strategic partnership between the renowned Indian airline and the tech giant TATA promises to boost India's manufacturing and export capabilities. The collaboration will enable Air India to become the sole carrier for TATA's iPhone exports, facilitating the efficient transport of these popular devices to international markets. With a reputation for reliability and global reach, Air India is poised to play a crucial role in TATA's supply chain. The move not only strengthens the relationship between two major Indian companies but also underlines India's growing importance in the global technology and manufacturing sectors. Air India's role as the exclusive carrier for iPhone exports is expected to generate significant revenue for the airline and enhance India's position as a hub for high-tech exports.
