Collective efforts required to boost air cargo supply chain efficiency: ACFI
Air Cargo Forum of India (ACFI) held its maiden interactive workshop recently at Gurgaon’s Westin Hotel near Delhi ever since its formation six months ago. Expert speakers at the workshop highlighted the importance of cooperation between various stake holders to make the Indian air cargo supply chain efficient and competitive.
Pradeep Panicker, President, ACFI informed that ACFI’s Sub-Committees have been taking up various issues with the appropriate authorities based on feedback from various sectors including automobiles, apparel, electronic and pharmaceuticals. As a result of this dialog, the processing time for export shipments at DIAL has reduced.
The workshop threw up interesting perspectives from shippers representing various industry verticals. High profile dignatories included Pradeep Panicker, President, ACFI, Ram C. Menen, Divisional Sr VP, Emirates Sky Cargo, Varun Singhi, Director, Logistics Trade & Commerce, Indian Sub Continent, Middle East & Mediterranean, GAP Inc, Rakesh Parashar, Director, Global Supply Chain, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Shantanu Bhadkamkar, Chairman FFFAI, Yashpal Sharma, Treasurer ACFI and K.S. Kunwar, DG, ACFI, Ramesh Mamidala, COO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, Cyrus Katgara, Secretary, ACFI, Rajiv Khanna, Country Head-Customs Clearance, Jeena & Co, M.D. Kala, Head of Cargo Operations & IT, DIAL and Sanjiv Edward, Head of Cargo Business, DIAL.
Pradeep Panicker, President, ACFI
“Increasing flow of foreign direct investment into India from MNCs is making India a sourcing hub. It is essential that India’s air cargo supply chain becomes efficient on its deliverables by making transportation simpler and transparent, which is only possible through coordination among industry members.”
Airline Perspective Ram Menen, Divisional Sr VP, Emirates Sky Cargo
“Ongoing volatility in oil prices has made it challenging for global cargo operators to keep costs under control while maintaining efficient service levels. Joint cooperation between shippers, distributors and air cargo supply chain agencies will result in lower operating costs for airlines and allow shippers to maintain lower inventory levels. Collective operation between airlines-freight forwarders-customs agencies and finally shippers will result in collective efficiency. The required support can be provided to shippers by the airlines operators, customs and airport authorities through infrastructure support, safety and security during handling of the cargo. Adoption of information technology tools will be crucial in the air cargo supply chain as it will lead to better sharing of information with the security and customs agencies, ensuring smoother cargo transportation.”
Apparel Exporters Perspective Varun Singhi, Director, Logistics Trade & Commerce, (ISC, M.E. & Med.), GAP Inc
“Movement of apparel from production to retail outlets chain is a complex process. The entire cycle is of twenty four weeks and requires frequent product sample checks by the buyer. Better cooperation will ensure streamlining of processes and control cost escalation. Airports should have adequate palletization and docking facilities for trucks, safety and security to curtail pilferage of the apparel products, deployment of X-ray machines is a must in the country 24X7 operations at cargo terminals.”
Pharma Industry Perspective Rakesh Parashar, Director Global Supply Chain, Ranbaxy Laboratories
“Pharma cargo is sensitive and requires efficient handling between the post production supply chain and distribution. To enhance supply chain efficiency for pharma exports dedicated temperature controlled and GPS-enabled vehicles are required. Airports should have hygienic storage facilities and finally cargo should be lifted to the aircraft through the tarmac in required temperature conditions. Movement of the cargo should take place separately and not along with general cargo. Besides, in case of pilferage and damage to the cargo airlines and other logistics service providers should take a dual responsibility.”
Published by Aviation Cargo Express (EXIM – ACE)