Editorial

Dear Reader,

With the New Year, there come new hopes and aspirations. The year 2018 ended on a pleasant note, with many first-of-their-kind initiatives by the government giving hope to the industry. The recent announcement of a national air cargo policy shows that the government is taking the cargo sector seriously, as up till now passenger services were the deciding criteria for building airport terminals. This policy will give much-needed recognition to the Indian cargo industry.

Another notable initiative among many was the Kolkata-Varanasi national waterway making a revolutionary mark in Indian logistics. The first-ever post-independence movement of container cargo from Kolkata to Varanasi has firmly established that the vision of inland waterways being a cheaper and more environmentally friendly mode of transport is fast becoming a reality. The industry also feels that the development of inland waterways for transport would surely assist in unclogging the urban road network in addition to aiding a much-needed development of the hinterland.

Six major projects in roads, ports, inland waterways, and railways have been announced by the government. The industry is optimistic about what the future entails for the logistics sector. It is largely of the view that the increased adoption of technology will result in streamlining operational efficiencies and processes in the long run, and enabling ease of doing business.

As per the latest DHL Global Trade Barometer (GTB), India maintains the strongest trade growth among GTB constituents. With 75 points, India enjoys this stature, but the country is not spared from the global decline in trade and has lost eight points in its overall prognosis.

We do hope that 2019 is another progressive year in the making!

Keep reading and giving your feedback to us at: cargotalk@ddppl.com