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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.
FedEx has unveiled FedEx Life Sciences, a dedicated organization designed to address the growing complexity of global healthcare logistics and reinforce its position in one of the fastest-growing supply chain segments. The new business unit will provide specialized end-to-end logistics solutions for pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, clinical trials, and other time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. The launch reflects the company's strategic focus on the rapidly evolving life sciences sector, where increasing demand for precision logistics, regulatory compliance, and real-time shipment visibility is reshaping supply chain requirements. By bringing together its existing healthcare capabilities under a single specialized organization, FedEx aims to offer customers a more integrated and streamlined logistics experience while supporting the next generation of healthcare delivery. Leading the new organization is Nick Gennari, who has been appointed President of FedEx Life Sciences. The dedicated team will oversee a comprehensive portfolio of healthcare logistics services, including cold chain transportation, inventory management, warehousing, packaging, customs support, and global distribution. The initiative is expected to help pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, hospitals, laboratories, and research organizations navigate increasingly complex global supply chains with greater efficiency and reliability. Healthcare has become a strategic growth area for FedEx as demand continues to rise for specialized transportation of temperature-controlled medicines, cell and gene therapies, vaccines, and clinical trial materials. The company has invested significantly in expanding its Life Science Centers, enhancing cold chain infrastructure, and securing internationally recognized certifications to ensure regulatory compliance across its global network. Today, a substantial share of its healthcare shipments moves through CEIV Pharma-certified facilities, strengthening shipment integrity for highly sensitive products. The new organization also reflects broader industry trends, with healthcare manufacturers increasingly seeking logistics partners capable of managing end-to-end supply chains rather than standalone transportation services. As personalized medicine, biologics, and advanced therapies continue to gain momentum, logistics providers are expected to play a more critical role in ensuring product quality, visibility, and timely delivery throughout the supply chain. By consolidating its healthcare expertise under FedEx Life Sciences, the company is positioning itself to capture greater opportunities in the high-value healthcare logistics market while supporting customers with specialized, technology-enabled solutions. The move further underscores the growing importance of resilient, compliant, and data-driven supply chains in delivering life-saving therapies to patients around the world. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Indian logistics technology provider Kale Logistics Solutions has agreed to acquire Spanish port community systems specialist Portel, a move that strengthens the company's presence in Europe and broadens its reach across maritime trade and port digitisation markets. The transaction brings together Kale's cargo and logistics technology portfolio with Portel's established position in the European port sector. The acquisition is expected to expand Kale's access to customers across Spain and other European markets while adding expertise in port community systems and trade facilitation platforms. Portel has been active in the maritime technology sector for nearly three decades, providing digital solutions that connect ports, shipping lines, terminal operators, customs authorities and logistics stakeholders. The company has played a role in the digital transformation of Spanish port operations and has developed systems designed to improve information exchange across supply chains. For Kale, the deal represents a further step in its international growth strategy. The company has expanded its presence across airports, ports and logistics hubs in multiple regions and has identified Europe as a key market for future growth. In recent years, Kale has increased investment in international operations and technology platforms supporting cargo visibility, trade documentation and logistics collaboration. Industry observers note that the acquisition reflects broader consolidation trends in logistics technology, as software providers seek to offer integrated digital platforms covering multiple transport modes and supply chain processes. Growing regulatory requirements, cross-border trade complexity and demand for real-time data exchange have increased interest in digital infrastructure serving ports and logistics networks. The combined organisation is expected to focus on expanding digital services for port communities, freight stakeholders and government agencies involved in international trade. The transaction also provides Kale with a stronger operational base in Europe as demand for port and logistics digitalisation continues to grow across the region. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
C.H. Robinson has announced the acquisition of DeSpir Logistics, a North America-based specialist in secure transportation and cargo escort services, marking a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the high-value and mission-critical freight segment. The deal, valued at approximately $75 million in cash is expected to enhance the company’s ability to serve customers requiring advanced security, compliance, and operational precision across complex supply chains. The acquisition comes at a time when cargo theft, supply chain disruptions, and increasing regulatory requirements are driving demand for specialized logistics solutions. DeSpir Logistics has built a strong reputation for transporting high-value, temperature-sensitive, and time-critical shipments across North America, serving industries such as healthcare, life sciences, aerospace, data centers, and premium retail. By integrating DeSpir’s expertise into its operations, C.H. Robinson aims to expand its portfolio of premium logistics services. The acquisition will provide access to a highly vetted carrier network focused on security-sensitive freight movements, supported by specialized driver certifications, stringent compliance protocols, and continuous monitoring systems. These capabilities are increasingly important for customers shipping pharmaceuticals, critical infrastructure equipment, and other high-risk cargo. A key advantage of the transaction is the addition of DeSpir’s advanced shipment monitoring technologies. The company’s platform offers enhanced visibility into freight movements, including real-time tracking of temperature conditions and cargo integrity. Combined with C.H. Robinson’s growing investment in AI-driven supply chain solutions, the acquisition is expected to deliver greater operational control, predictive insights, and risk mitigation for customers handling sensitive freight. Industry analysts view the deal as part of C.H. Robinson’s broader strategy to pursue targeted acquisitions that strengthen specialized service offerings while creating long-term value for customers and shareholders. DeSpir generated approximately $62 million in revenue during fiscal year 2025, and the acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive to C.H. Robinson’s earnings in 2026. The transaction has been financed through existing cash reserves and has already been completed. As supply chains become increasingly complex and security risks continue to evolve, the integration of DeSpir’s high-security logistics expertise positions C.H. Robinson to capitalize on growing demand for specialized transportation services. The move reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering secure, technology-enabled logistics solutions for some of the most critical freight movements in North America. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
