Tag: forwarder

  • DHL Group to Propel India’s Dynamic Market with €1 Billion Investment by 2030

    DHL Group to Propel India’s Dynamic Market with €1 Billion Investment by 2030

    DHL Group, a world-renowned logistics company, has shared its ambitious plans to invest approximately EUR 1 billion across various business sectors in India by 2030. This hefty investment highlights DHL’s confidence in India’s potential for growth and aligns with the company’s Strategy 2030 for accelerating sustainable development.

    Investment Program Details

    The investment program is set to span various sectors, such as life sciences, healthcare, new energy, e-commerce, and digitalisation. Major developments in infrastructure include:

    – Establishing the first DHL Health Logistics hub for DHL Supply Chain India in Bhiwandi
    – Building India’s largest low-carbon-emission integrated operating facility for Blue Dart in Bijwasan
    – Setting up the first automatic sorting center for DHL Express India in Delhi
    – Opening the fifth DHL IT Services Centre in Indore
    – Creating an Electric Vehicle (EV) and Battery Logistics Centre of Excellence (COE) in Chennai and Mumbai
    – Constructing the largest low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission integrated ground hub for Blue Dart in Haryana

    Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, expressed confidence in India’s dynamic market despite current global trade challenges. He remarked that India’s diversified business strategies and policies support long-term investments, making it a promising location for the implementation of DHL’s investment program.

    The Significance of India in DHL’s Strategy 2030

    Despite the headwinds from tariffs, global trade remained resilient, with India’s combined merchandise and services exports witnessing a growth of 6.18% from April to August 2025. The average distance of goods trade in India is also projected to reach 6,190 kilometers in 2025, underscoring the growth of India’s exports to various countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

    R.S. Subramanian, SVP – South Asia and Managing Director, India, DHL Express, noted that India’s diversification strategy has started to yield results, with increased trade to a wider range of markets. He added that the complexity of evolving supply chains, ranging from new supplier ecosystems to customs declarations, is handled efficiently by DHL’s logistics experts and digital tools.

    Investments in Life Sciences and Healthcare

    India has emerged as a global hub for contract manufacturing, research and development, and clinical trials in the life sciences and healthcare sector. To support India’s ambitions in this field, DHL has invested in its capabilities, establishing the Health Logistics Excellence Centre in Mumbai and a facility in Bhiwandi dedicated to life sciences and healthcare companies.

    New Energy Initiatives

    Edwin Pinto, Managing Director, India, DHL Global Forwarding, stated that DHL’s focus on New Energy aligns with India’s ambition for clean energy and electrification. As part of this focus, DHL plans to set up an EV and Battery Logistics Center of Excellence (COE) by Q4 2025.

    E-commerce Investments

    Balfour Manuel, Managing Director of Blue Dart, highlighted the importance of logistics and e-commerce sectors in driving India’s growth. To support this, DHL plans to invest in upgrading infrastructure, network, capacity, and last-mile reach and delivery centers nationwide.

    Sustainability Drive

    As part of its Strategy 2030, DHL Group has added a new pillar: Green Logistics of Choice. The company aims to reduce its absolute CO2 emissions to 29 million metric tons by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In India, the Group’s sustainability journey is focused on the electrification of its fleet.

    Digitalisation Initiatives

    The Group has also invested in making India a hub for digital innovation and technology talent. This includes the opening of its fifth DHL IT Services (ITS) center and the first dedicated technology training academy center in Indore.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the focus of DHL’s investment in India?
    The investment program focuses on sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, new energy, e-commerce, and digitalisation. Infrastructure developments include the establishment of logistics hubs, low-carbon-emission facilities, and IT Services centers.

    What are DHL’s sustainability goals in India?
    DHL aims to reduce its absolute CO2 emissions to 29 million metric tons by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company’s sustainability efforts in India center around the electrification of its fleet.

    What does DHL’s digitalisation initiative in India involve?
    The digitalisation initiative involves making India a hub for digital innovation and technology talent. This includes the opening of DHL IT Services centers and the establishment of a dedicated technology training academy center in Indore.

  • What Questions Should I Ask a Freight Forwarder?

    What Questions Should I Ask a Freight Forwarder?

    Choosing a freight forwarder to deliver your shipment requires careful consideration. You’ll be trusting this company with your valuable goods. It’s crucial to do your research and hire someone with a proven track record of delivering shipments safely and timely.

    Needless to say, you have several options to choose from. But how do you know which one is right for you? Here is a guide to help you narrow your options to the new freight forwarder for your needs.

    Questions to Ask a Freight Forwarder

    When looking for a freight forwarder to handle your shipping needs, asking the right questions is essential to ensure you’re making the best decision for your business. Here are some key questions to ask a freight forwarder to ensure you get the best service possible. If you’re looking for a reliable partner, check out Dedola – import freight forwarder.

    What Services Do You Offer?

    Ask the freight forwarder you’re considering for a comprehensive list of services, such as freight consolidation, warehousing, customs clearance, and delivery. Ask them what forwarding methods they use and whether they provide the method that you’re looking for. Ensure you understand what services are included in their offering and what additional services may be available for an additional fee.

    What Are Your Rates?

    It’s vital to get an understanding of the freight forwarder’s rates and fees before you agree to anything. Ask for a quote and find out if any discounts are available, such as bulk or seasonal discounts. Also, inquire about any hidden fees that they may charge.

    Once you have a handful of quotes, compare the prices and see which one fits your budget. Don’t let the rate be the sole deciding factor. It’s okay to pay a few extra bucks if it means that your shipment will be safe throughout the journey.

    Do You Provide Tracking?

    Tracking is essential when it comes to freight forwarding. You would want to ensure your shipment is on time and secure. Make sure you ask the freight forwarder if they provide tracking services. You should also inquire about the type of monitoring available, such as tracking by air, sea, or land. This way, you can sleep easy knowing that your goods will be delivered on time.

    What Is Your Turnaround Time?

    Turnaround time is a critical factor when it comes to freight forwarding. This could vary from company to company. Ask the freight forwarder what their typical turnaround time is. This will give you a better idea of how long it will take for your goods to be shipped and delivered. You could also choose a freight forwarder accordingly if any of your goods need to be delivered on an urgent basis.

    Do You Have Insurance?

    Your shipment could be susceptible to several risks, including boat capsizes, derailing trains, airplane crashes, vehicle collisions, and whatnot. To avoid feeling anxious while waiting for the freight’s safe delivery, hiring an insured freight forwarder is crucial. Ask the freight forwarder if they have insurance for goods in transit. This will give you peace of mind that your goods are insured in case of any damage or loss during transit.

    Trusting another person with the safety of your goods is a huge thing. The least you can do is ensure you’re putting your faith in the right professional. By asking the right questions, you’ll be able to ensure you’re selecting the best freight forwarder for your needs. Ask as many questions as necessary to ensure you get the best service possible and put your mind at ease.

  • Completion of Heaviest and Tallest Cargo Transportation in the History of Uzbekistan

    Completion of Heaviest and Tallest Cargo Transportation in the History of Uzbekistan

    In 2017, Bolloré Logistics Japan was awarded the transportation of materials and equipment from Mitsubishi Corporation for a large-scale fertilizer plant in Navoiy, a city in the central region of Uzbekistan. By September 2018, our team had successfully transported 24 heavy-lift units by hydraulic conventional trailers, including 17 units over 100 MT each.

    Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is one of only two landlocked countries in the world surrounded by five countries, namely, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This makes Uzbekistan one of the most difficult areas to transport cargoes. The port of discharge selected by Bolloré Logistics varied from one time to another as there was no standard transportation route. Depending on the port of loading & discharge, weight, dimensions, transit time, and cost efficiency, Bolloré Logistics Japan provided the best transportation route and mode for Mitsubishi Corporation.

    The heaviest unit, an Ammonia Converter, registered at 422 tons and the widest and tallest unit, a Package Boiler, recorded at LWH (mm) 12,700 x 8,700 x 10,720 – making history as those were the heaviest and tallest cargoes handled in Uzbekistan.

    The scope of work included Free On Board (FOB) from various ports of loading to Navoiy’s site, together with import customs clearance formalities.

    Timely arrangement of breakbulk vessel, Volga-Don class sea river vessel or barge, road permits, conventional hydraulic trailers and more were requested from our team in order to meet the construction schedule’s deadline with all the requirements.

    As for the heaviest and most voluminous cargoes, Bolloré Logistics visited the vendor’s factories several times prior to the breakbulk shipments and physically checked the cargo figures, lifting points, lashing points, to successfully design the transportation plan accordingly.

    But the most challenging part remained the inland transportation from the Caspian Sea port to the job site.
    First of all, the distance from the Caspian Sea port to the job site is around 1,700 km. These days, most cases of heavy lifts are handled by self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT), just for short distances only, but in our case it was transported by conventional hydraulic trailers, for 1,700 km. As 1,700 km is a long journey, Bolloré Logistics Japan had to anticipate unexpected trouble on the way and prepare a backup plan, while respecting the construction schedule.

    Road surveys were carried out several times and we decided to adopt the safest transportation route. However, it was still not enough as infrastructures were limited and could not withstand transportation of such heavy and voluminous cargo; it therefore had to be improved.

    As a result, Bolloré Logistics improved 24 bridges (including the construction of a new bridge and installation of new piles on another bridge), constructed 15 bypass roads (including two long ones), expanded five corners, replaced electric poles at one place, and widened roads at four points.

    Yet, it was still not enough. During the transportation of heavy lifts cargo, Bolloré Logistics mobilized construction machinery teams such as dump trucks, road rollers, wheel loaders, etc., in order to improve unpaved road temporarily. We also mobilized an electrical team such as cherry pickers, mobile cranes to shut down / remove power cables and other overhead obstacles.

    Thanks to Mitsubishi Corporation’s full cooperation and Bolloré Logistics’ team effort; we were able to meet the cargo readiness in accordance with heavy lift transportation schedule and unloading heavy lifts on time at the site.