Loading...
Over 550 delegates, government leaders and industry stalwarts unite around the vision — “One Fraternity, One Vision: Logistics Driving India Towards Viksit Bharat”
Mumbai, 17 June 2026 — The Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers’ Association (BCBA), established in 1939, successfully hosted the second edition of The India Logistics Conclave 2026 at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, drawing more than 550 delegates, invitees and guests from across the customs, ports, shipping, trade and logistics ecosystem. Anchored in the theme “One Fraternity, One Vision — Logistics Driving India Towards Viksit Bharat,” the day-long Conclave brought senior government leadership and industry stalwarts onto one platform to chart the road to a developed India by 2047.
The proceedings began at 09:45 a.m. with the ceremonial inauguration of the CBIC Pavilion, followed by the Inaugural Session. In a defining moment, Shri Vivek Chaturvedi, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), delivered the welcome address live online, sharing the Board’s vision for a modern, trust-based and technology-led customs administration — received by the fraternity as a source of great strength and inspiration.
The inaugural dais featured an eminent gathering of dignitaries. These included Shri Yogendra Garg, Member (Customs), CBIC; Shri Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary, Customs; Shri Sushil Mansing Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping; Shri Sunil Jain, IRS, Director General of Valuation; Capt. BVJK Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Navi Mumbai International Airport; Capt. Deepak Tiwari, Managing Director, MSC India and Chairman, CSLA; Shri Om Hisaria, Senior Executive Vice President, Reliance Industries Limited; and Mr Mukesh Oza, Group President & CEO, Samsara Group. They were joined on the dais by BCBA President Mr Sanjeev Harale and Senior Vice President Mr Paresh Thakkar.
“To see this fraternity stand shoulder to shoulder with the highest offices of government and industry, under one roof and one vision, has been deeply humbling,” said Mr Paresh Thakkar, Senior Vice President, BCBA. “What we have built over two editions is not merely an event, but a platform where the customs broker’s voice is heard, respected and woven into the national agenda. That is the legacy we intend to carry forward.”
The intellectual heart of the Conclave lay in its four business sessions, each a moderated plenary of national stature.
Session 1, “India 2030, 2035, 2047 — A Roadmap for Viksit Bharat,” was moderated by Mr Shantanu Bhadkamkar and brought together Shri Yogendra Garg, Member (Customs), CBIC; Mr Shailesh Haribhakti, eminent voice on economy and governance; Capt. Deepak Tiwari of MSC India and CSLA; Dr Prasad Pradhan, senior strategy and resilience advisor; and Mr Rahul Ahluwalia, Director & Co-Founder, Foundation for Economic Development.
Session 2, “Building India’s Digital Spine — Customs & Trade,” was moderated by Mr Dushyant Mulani. The panel comprised Shri Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary, Customs; Shri Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority; Shri Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic; Mr Kunal Maheshwari, Director, Softlink Global; Mr Faisal Khan, Foundation for Economic Development; and Mr Amit Kamat, Chairman, FFFAI.
“Custom Brokers are now playing a nodal role in India’s EXIM Logistics, they are quiet backbone of India’s trade, and forums like this one finally give that contribution the recognition it deserves,” said Mr Dushyant Mulani, Immediate Past President, BCBA. “Keeping National interest of being Globally Competitive it is imperative that government and trade sit at the same table as partners to conceptualise further trade facilitation measures to ensure the entire ecosystem moves faster — and that partnership is the real achievement of this Conclave.”
Session 3, “Geopolitics and the New Geometry of Trade,” was moderated by Mr Tej Contractor and featured Dr Pritam Banerjee of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade; Mr Sachin Vijan, Vanguard Logistics Services; Mr Fardeen Malbarwalla, Galaxy Freight; Mr S. Mahesh Mahalingam, Head — EXIM, Larsen & Toubro; and Dr Rumki Majumdar, Director & Economist, Deloitte India.
Session 4, “Policy and Infrastructure — Building India’s Futuristic Logistics Ecosystem,” was moderated by Mr Mihir Parekh of the Foundation for Economic Development, who served as moderator cum panellist. The session brought together Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Commissioner General, JNCH; Shri Ravish Kumar Singh, IRTS, Deputy Chairman, JNPA; Shri Sagar Rameshrao Kadu, Director (Logistics Division), DPIIT; Dr Rekha Raikar Kumar, Senior Advisor, Land Port Authority of India; and Mr Rajiv Chohan, Aegis Vopak Group.
The Valedictory Session, themed “Logisticians — Building a Better India,” offered an inspiring close. It was led by Mr Dhimant Parekh, Founder & CEO of The Better India — the world’s largest positive-impact storytelling platform — and Mr S. Ramakrishna, Past Chairman of FFFAI, who reflected on conviction, reinvention and the logistician’s role in nation building.
“This Conclave reaffirmed that the customs broker and freight forwarder are not mere facilitators, but true partners in India’s growth story,” said Mr Sanjeev Harale, President, BCBA." The participation of the highest echelons of government and industry, and the warmth of over 550 delegates, is a powerful testament to the strength of our fraternity and our shared resolve to drive India towards Viksit Bharat.”
The Conclave was made possible by the generous support of its partners. The BCBA extends profound gratitude to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (Platinum Sponsor); Navi Mumbai International Airport and MPRS Shipping (Diamond Sponsors); Softlink Global Private Limited (Gold Sponsor); and Reliance Industries Limited (Silver Sponsor). The Association also acknowledges Parekh Global (Lunch Sponsor); Conex CFS, Polaris CFS and Globicon CFS (Delegate Kit Sponsors); Galaxy Freight (Seat Sponsor); Mumbai Cargo Service Center (Lanyard Sponsor); and Unifo (Hi-Tea Sponsor); and DBS Bank (Banking Partner). The BCBA further thanks our Bronze and Associate Sponsors, along with its Media Partners and supporting organisations, whose collective faith — despite a challenging global environment — was vital to the success of the event.
As the second edition closed, the BCBA expressed deep appreciation to every delegate, dignitary, speaker, moderator and partner who made the day a success. The Association reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a unifying voice for the fraternity and advancing the national conversation on India’s logistics future.
About BCBA: The BCBA, established in 1939, is one of India’s oldest and most respected representative bodies for customs brokers, serving as a unifying voice for the customs, trade and logistics fraternity.
For media enquiries, please contact the BCBA.
Safexpress has inaugurated a new logistics park in Vapi, Gujarat, expanding its warehousing, distribution and transportation capabilities across one of western India’s key industrial regions. Located near National Highway 48 (NH-48) in Valsad district, the 3.5 lakh sq. ft facility is designed to support the growing logistics requirements of manufacturers, exporters and businesses operating across Gujarat and neighbouring markets. The new facility features dedicated transshipment infrastructure and third-party logistics (3PL) capabilities, with cross-dock infrastructure that can accommodate the simultaneous loading and unloading of more than 116 vehicles. The configuration is intended to streamline cargo movement, improve handling efficiency and reduce transit times by facilitating the faster transfer of shipments between incoming and outgoing vehicles. The logistics park also incorporates a column-free span exceeding 105 feet, allowing smoother movement of goods within the facility. Meanwhile, 16-foot-wide cantilever sheds are designed to support loading and unloading operations in different weather conditions, helping maintain operational continuity. Safety and environmental considerations have also been integrated into the facility’s design. The park is equipped with modern firefighting systems and trained emergency response personnel. Its sustainability measures include rainwater harvesting, green spaces and extensive use of natural daylight to help reduce energy consumption. Supporting Gujarat’s Industrial Supply Chains Vapi is an established manufacturing centre with industries spanning chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, packaging, paper, plastics and engineering. Its industrial base generates demand for dependable transportation, warehousing and distribution services to move raw materials, intermediate goods and finished products to domestic and export markets. The new logistics park is expected to help businesses consolidate shipments, improve delivery reliability and strengthen distribution networks. Its location close to NH-48 also provides connectivity to major industrial and commercial markets, supporting freight movement across western India and other parts of the country. Expanding Logistics Footprint in Western India The Vapi facility adds to Safexpress’ presence in Gujarat, following its logistics park in Vadodara. It also forms part of the company’s broader expansion of logistics infrastructure along important highway corridors, including facilities in Vijayawada, Chennai and Hyderabad. The inauguration reflects the growing importance of modern, highway-linked logistics parks in supporting industrial growth and more efficient freight distribution. With dedicated cross-dock capacity, warehousing infrastructure and 3PL services, the Vapi facility is positioned to support regional businesses seeking improved supply chain connectivity and faster cargo movement. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Blue Dart Express Limited has announced a planned leadership transition, with R.S. Subramanian set to take over as Managing Director from 30 November 2026, subject to requisite approvals. He will succeed Balfour Manuel, who will step down from the role on 29 November after a 43-year association with the express logistics company. As part of the succession plan, Manuel will continue with Blue Dart as Senior Strategic Advisor until 15 May 2027, supporting continuity across the company’s strategic priorities during the transition. The company’s Board approved Subramanian’s appointment for the period from 30 November 2026 to 25 May 2030, subject to shareholder and other statutory approvals. Manuel joined Blue Dart in 1983 as one of its earliest employees and has played a significant role in the company’s development, including its customer-centric culture, market position, network expansion and operational capabilities. He became Managing Director in 2019. Reflecting on the leadership transition, Balfour Manuel said, “Blue Dart has been the defining journey of my professional life. After careful consideration, I believe this is the right time to implement a structured succession plan that serves the company’s long-term interests. I have every confidence in R.S. Subramanian, who understands our business, respects our culture and shares our ambition. As Senior Strategic Advisor, I look forward to working closely with him and the Board to ensure continuity throughout the transition.” Subramanian brings more than three decades of experience across product-led and service businesses, with expertise spanning business strategy, customer experience, organisational transformation and profitable growth. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, DHL Express South Asia, and Managing Director, DHL Express India, and is a member of the DHL Express Asia Pacific Management Board. Associated with DHL Express since 2004, Subramanian has held leadership responsibilities across South Asia and has overseen operations in markets including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan. He has also been a Director on the Blue Dart Express Board since 2019, giving him familiarity with the company’s operations and strategic priorities. Commenting on his appointment, R.S. Subramanian said, “It is a privilege to lead Blue Dart, an institution that has played a defining role in the development of India's express logistics industry. Having served on the Blue Dart Board over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to gain a firsthand appreciation of the company’s strong customer focus, operational excellence and the culture that the team has built. My focus will be on building on Blue Dart’s strong foundation, advancing its market leadership and delivering sustainable, profitable growth, while continuing to create value for customers, employees and shareholders alike.” The leadership transition comes as Blue Dart continues to expand its express logistics network and capabilities. The company reported revenue of ₹6,141 crore for FY2025-26 and serves more than 56,400 locations in India, according to its latest fact sheet. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Crown Worldwide Group has expanded exXtra, its valet storage service, to six major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune, as changing urban lifestyles and space requirements drive demand for more flexible storage solutions. The expansion extends exXtra’s reach across markets characterised by growing urban populations and evolving residential and business space needs, while leveraging Crown Worldwide Group’s more than three decades of experience in India across logistics, relocation, warehousing and related services. Moving beyond storage associated solely with relocation, exXtra is positioned to address a broader range of everyday requirements, from storing seasonal clothing, books, sports equipment, bicycles and documents to accommodating belongings during home renovations, downsizing or changing residential spaces for work and other purposes. Praveen Joseph, Assistant Vice President, South Asia, Crown Worldwide Group said, “With our understanding of moving, handling and storing belongings, we can offer customers a solution that gives them greater freedom over the space they have, without requiring them to make decisions about what to keep or let go.” The service combines doorstep pickup, secure storage and on-demand return, allowing customers to retain belongings without dedicating valuable space to items they do not need regularly. Customers can schedule pickups, track their inventory and manage payments through an online portal, adding greater convenience and visibility to the storage experience. The expansion draws on Crown’s established capabilities in handling, moving and storing belongings, with the company positioning exXtra around the changing ways in which households and businesses manage their available space. Crown Worldwide Group said exXtra will continue to explore further expansion across India through phased launches, with future growth guided by customer demand and opportunities in emerging markets where the Group already maintains a presence.
