lighthouse - CSS India

BREAKBULK EUROPE BRINGS THE WORLD OF SHIPPERS TOGETHER

Breakbulk Europe has once again brought the world of shipping together by hosting the prestigious Breakbulk event of 2023. This year, the Breakbulk event was held in Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands, between 6th to 8th June 2023. A total of 10,445 attendees attended the event, making it the highest number of participants to have ever attended a Breakbulk event. A total of 4,663 companies took part in the event, of which 444 were network members and 534 were exhibitors. It is no surprise that a whopping 94% of participants have already rebooked for the 2024 Breakbulk event to be held between 21st to 23rd May 2023.

The Participants at Breakbulk Europe
Netherlands, Germany and Belgium were the top three countries with the highest number of attendees at the event. Countries like China, India, Turkey, UAE, Brazil, Belgium and Singapore also had an exceedingly high number of participants. Companies from different sectors like Freight Forwarder, Maritime Transport, Ports and Terminals, Cargo Owner, Road Transport Services, Industry-Related Service Provider, Equipment Providers, IT Products and Services and Air Transport came together at the Breakbulk event.

Two gargantuan exhibition halls in Ahoy hosted a total of 534 exhibitors from across the Breakbulk supply chain, while the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network, a worldwide network of shippers involved in the engineering, manufacturing and production of industrial projects and cargo, also posted a record high number of participants, with a total of 444 of its members attending the event. This was double the number of participants that came to last year’s Breakbulk event (2022).

The Events at Breakbulk Europe
The event was a gateway for everyone to meet the biggest decision-makers, the Shippers. A total of 642 Shippers attended Breakbulk Europe event. It was indeed exciting for the CSS team to meet some of the world’s biggest shippers. The networking went beyond the exhibition floor. At Breakbulk Boulevard, 1400 guests met and collaborated with each other. At the special women in Breakbulk breakfast, over 150 women attended. The session at the Breakbulk breakfast was truly inspiring. An exclusive Rotterdam boat tour was also organized for 250 guests.

At the Breakbulk Futures Zone, products and services from leading industry innovators were showcased. Innovation and technology played a key role in the building of these products and services.

The events at Breakbulk Europe were all geared towards learning. While there were 14 main stage sessions with over 52 speakers sharing their expertise, there were also Breakbulk futures, where 13 speakers delivered power-packed sessions. Next, there were chartering workshops, mentored by the institute of chartered shipbrokers. Finally, an Education Day was organized, wherein 191 students participated and learnt from the best in the industry.

Everything that took place at Breakbulk was filmed and created into YouTube videos, so that the knowledge sharing at Breakbulk can reach the rest of the world. All the videos can be viewed at the official Breakbulk channel.

Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) at Breakbulk
CSS has been a proud participant of the Breakbulk event for the past several years. This year too, CSS attended the Breakbulk event. Ms. Chandrakala (COO), Mr. Renjith and Mr. Santanu led CSS, Dubai. Mr. Himanshu from CSS, India and Mr. Kemal from CSS, Turkey also facilitated the Breakbulk event with their presence.

At CSS, the project team has well-versed and experienced personnel with in-depth knowledge of the shipping domain. Adeptly skilled at handling breakbulk and project cargo, we have been able to tap into several opportunities from across the Middle East and Indian region. The exhibition has further cemented the team’s prowess with several prospects in the pipeline. The CSS team will also leverage the learnings and key takeaways from the Breakbulk event to forge new ideas and innovations in handling future projects.

A strong network is the cornerstone for any business. The Breakbulk event was once such building block. CSS was happy to be a part of this prestigious event as the Breakbulk exhibition presented CSS with an opportunity to forge strategic alliances and network with other companies across the globe. Furthermore, the event provided a platform for discussing the newest developments and available technology in seamlessly handling breakbulk and project cargo.

The CSS team that attended the event at Breakbulk is skilled and experienced, with detailed knowledge in this domain. Since CSS has been skilled at expertly handling breakbulk and project cargo, the team has been able to avail several business opportunities across the Middle East, Mediterranean and Indian region. Attending the Breakbulk event has further strengthened the CSS team’s capabilities with upcoming projects.

Being a participant at the Breakbulk event has been memorable and enjoyable for the team at CSS. The CSS team has leveraged the knowledge shared at the event to develop new ideas and create winning innovations in handling future breakbulk and cargo projects. The CSS team looks forward to next year’s Breakbulk event.

CSS ATTENDS SCLG’S ANNUAL INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND DINNER

Every year, SCLG, an acclaimed organizational group, holds a prestigious annual networking event for enterprises to learn from and grow from each other. This year, SCLG hosted their event on May 17th 2023, at the prominent Shangri-La Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The event commenced at 6.00 p.m and ended at 9:30 p.m.

CSS felt honoured to receive the invitation to take part inthe event and was represented by Ms. Sheethu, Mr. Anees and Mr. Rehan.

The agenda of the event
The event commenced at 7.00 p.m, with an introductory meeting between the CSS team and the organizers of the SCLG team.

The event went forward as follows:
@7:30 p.m Welcome address by SCLG.
@7:40 p.m to 8.30 p.m had the central part of the event:presentations and talks by various speakers.
@8:35 p.m to 9:00 p.m, Mr. Shashi Shekhar, the Group Chairmanof SCLG, stepped onto the podium to address the attendees with some thought-provoking words.
@9.00 p.m to 9.30 p.m, There was an industry networking opportunity, and the event came to an end with a group photo.

Various speakers from different walks of life provided the following presentations and talks at the venue.

Effective leadership during crises
Mr. Waqi Munim, the founder and CEO of Courageous Minds, initiated the first presentation at the event.

Mr. Waqi Munim spoke about the true mark of a leader, which is courage. He went on to explain how leaders have to be willing to expand their frame of thinking. Only then they will be able to adapt and lead their team in the current market situation. Mr. Waqi Munim spoke from his experience leading and building up his enterprise. He was able to share valuable tips on how to lead in stressful situations that are likely to arise within any enterprise.

Finally, he provided insights on how leaders can effectively master change management and bring the results to their company.

Strategies for evaluating risks and mitigation

Ms. Nissrine Elquobai, the co-founder of Eny Consulting, gave the next presentation at the event. She spoke about how leaders can evaluate their risks and develop effective mitigation strategies. Ms. Nissrine Elquobai began her presentation by discussing the element of risk that every enterprise has to encounter. She then gave valuable tips on mitigating risk during new beginnings, outsourcing work for better efficiency, learning about new products, and choosing new processes.

A helpful formula on how to embrace risk was shared, much to the delight of everyone. The formula was simple. Risk = Unknown / Bringing in strategies = Known. Although the risk is unknown, with the help of known strategy, the risks can be mitigated. From seamlessly managing risks within the supply chain to ensuring smooth operational performance from start to finish, Ms. Nissrine Elquobai shared in-depth strategies on how risks within an organization can be evaluated and strategically evaluated.

Demands for future leaders
Mr. Kenneth Nymann-Buus, the Vice President for Supply Chain Domain at Prime Transformation Consulting, was the next to talk about the demands that future leaders face. This was a much-needed topic of discussion, as most of the attendees were from Generation Z, including the representatives from CSS. Generation Z has indeed started a new trend of not working harder but smarter through technology and tools. Leaders from Gen Z would prefer to work from home or only four days a week, as they crave a better work-life balance.

Mr. Kenneth Nymann-Buus started presenting what the current generation needed for an effective working environment. He touched on all the latest trending topics like innovation, coaching, collaborations, and cognitive flexibility. Detailed explanations were provided on how emotional intelligence is needed for leaders and how strategic thinking is a must-have requisite for management. He ended the presentation by discussing how future leaders will need to connect with their employees for a more efficient and safer workplace.

Technology as an enabler in a sustainable supply chain
Mr. Rishikesh Trivedi, Go Green’s founder and market acceleration specialist shared thoughts on how technology can be used to make businesses more sustainable. Mr. Trivedi spoke about how practical steps can be taken to minimize one’s carbon footprint on the planet. He further explained how, with the aid of technology, everyone in the workplace could strive to become more sustainable.

Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint using technology and ensure a cleaner, better, and more sustainable environment in the future. All the attendees at the SCLG event pledged to become more sustainable, reduce their carbon footprint, and strive towards saving the planet.

Unleashing one’s potential
Mr. Ahmed Khaled, the founder and CEO of Unleash and a global supply chain consultant at Unilever, did the final presentation of the evening. Mr. Ahmed Khaled’s talk had everyone cheering for him as he shared his own life story.

Mr. Ahmed spoke about how he quit his 9 to 5 job after a LinkedIn post gave him social visibility. This was his cue to unleash his potential. Today, he is an accomplished author, a public motivational speaker, and a podcast host with celebrity status. He said the key to unlocking each person’s potential could be found in a simple principle: to love what you do.

Finding something that lights up your soul and fills your heart with joy can open an unending reservoir of energy and determination. This can make anyone unstoppable. He ended his enlightening presentation by explaining how passion alone will not get you where you need to be.Along with passion, one also requires perseverance, dedication, and a willingness to accept change. With this in place, everyone will be equipped with the power to change lives.

And The takeaway
The SCLG’s annual industry networking and dinner ended pleasantly with a group photo. All the attendees, including the representatives from CSS, were enlightened on various critical topics, from how to be an effective leader in a crisis to coming up with strategies to evaluate risk, using technology to reduce one’s carbon footprint, facing the demands of a leader in the future, and understanding how to unleash one’s potential and become unstoppable.

CSS INDIA INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS TEAM SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERS HIGH-VALUE PETROCHEMICAL EQUIPMENT FROM CHINA TO INDIA

CSS GROUP INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS, a leading name in the project logistics industry, has achieved yet another milestone by successfully chartering and transporting 2600FRT (Freight Rate Tons) of high-value petrochemical equipment from Shanghai, China to Haldia, India. This significant achievement not only highlights the expertise and dedication of the CSS project team but also reinforces their commitment to delivering timebound projects while meeting strict deadlines.

The CSS project team was entrusted with the crucial task of chartering a suitable vessel to transport six colossal columns, each with a maximum length of 38.5 meters, a maximum weight of 133 tons, and a height of approximately 5 meters. With meticulous planning and coordination, the CSS project team worked closely with truckers to ensure the timely delivery of this critical cargo, which was subsequently loaded onto the vessel.

Currently, the vessel MV JIAN YANG HUA QING is en route to the destination port, carrying this vital equipment that is crucial for an important project in India. The successful transportation of such complex and high-value petrochemical equipment showcases the CSS project team’s exceptional ability to handle challenging cargo, regardless of its dimensions and weight, while adhering to the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental practices.

At CSS PROJECTS, we recognize the paramount importance of timely deliveries and their impact on project schedules. To ensure seamless operations, our dedicated team of project professionals works tirelessly, leaving no stone unturned once an order is entrusted to them. It is through their unwavering commitment and expertise that CSS INDIA INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS continues to create success stories across the globe in the field of project logistics.

As we move forward, stay tuned for more updates from theCSS Project Team, as they continue to demonstrate their prowess by delivering exceptional results and exceeding expectations in complex project logistics. CSS GROUP INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS remains at the forefront of the industry, driving innovation and setting new benchmarks for excellence in project cargo transportation.

CSS INDIA STAFF MEET IN DELHI

The CSS India Staff Meet was held on 31st July 2022 at ‘The Umrao’, a much sought-after luxury hotel in the National Capital Region (NCR) of New Delhi. The CSS Group Chairman Mr. T S Kaladharan and the CSS Management threw a scintillating cocktail party and DJ night to rebuild the connections that were restricted due to the pandemic-induced constraints over the past two years.
The party was well attended by CSS team members from every CSS office across the Indian subcontinent. Mr. Fida Asghar represented the Dubai office, while Mr. Rahat came with a strong contingent of 14 employees from the CSS Mumbai branch. From the South, Mr. Vishwanath represented the Coimbatore and Tirupur offices, while Mr. Jitendra & Mr. Sathiya Narayanan came from the Chennai wing. There was also Mr. Sudeep and Mr. Jinu from our Kochi Office, while Mr. Naveen represented the Bangalore branch. Mr. Anirban was representing the Kolkata office from the eastern part of the country. Since the meeting was held in Delhi, the entire team attended the party from our Delhi and Ludhiana offices.

An Exhilarating Night of Celebrations, Joy, and Laughter

The party was organized at ‘The Umrao’, one of the most sought-after venues, CSS always ensures that our team gets nothing but the best, the poolside party kicked off with the DJ’s foot-tapping numbers that set the mood for the night. The dancing session was followed by a sumptuous dinner and spirits that brought mirth and revelry to the event. The CSS India staff made most of the night as they enjoyed every moment of the party.
Fida entertained the audience with witty and rib-tickling jokes, roaring with laughter throughout the night. Mr. Rahat had everyone spellbound with his remarkable dialogues filled with witticisms and anecdotes. The party’s highlight was the melodious voice of Mr. Pramod Dubey from the Ludhiana office, who revealed timeless hits and Bollywood songs to the audience.

Welcoming the New Additions to Team CSS

We also took the opportunity to introduce our new joiners to the CSS team. We also remembered our revered colleague Mr. Rinku, whom we have lost due to Covid. His wife, now part of the CSS Team, was introduced to our guests.

Awards and Felicitations

Our Honourable Chairman, Mr. T.S Kaladharan, also felicitated the company’s outstanding employees by giving mementos to them. He also felicitated the respective vertical heads, Mr. Rahat, Mr. Rajeev, Mr. Jinu, Mr. Sudeep, and Mr. Vishwanath, with signature gifts.
The Chairman also gave rewards to Mr. Sanjay Dutt and Mr. Ajay Kumar from the Delhi office. They were the two outstanding dancers who set the floor on fire with their unique steps and moves.
Mr T S Kaladharan and Mr. Fida praised and felicitated Ms. Nishu Jain from the event management company The Impresario for meticulously planning and conducting the whole event without any glitches.

Connections are the Key to the CSS Success Story

At CSS, our Chairman, TS Kaladharan, has always been at the forefront of nurturing connections between team members. Even though CSS operates with teams across multiple geographical boundaries, it is important for the teams to be connected no matter where they are. Mr. Kaladharan has always encouraged building a rapport between team members. He believes that along with recognition and rewards, these connections go beyond the celebrations. The company will gain intangible rewards that reap benefits that even affect the company’s bottom lines.
Here’s to more celebrations and new connections!

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU PORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA TO FOCUS ON MULTIMODALITY

The Indian Government had started a flagship program in liaison with the Ministry of Shipping in 2015 called the Sagarmala. The program successfully covered seven years, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has renewed its focus on multimodality under the PM Gati Shakti program. The program’s highlight was the development of dry ports in Wardha and Jalna in Maharashtra in Western India. Under the banner of Sagarmala phase has been completed, and will further bolster the economy in this region by connecting the upcoming multimodal parks seaports using big road and rail projects. A scheme with a budget of ₹184 crores, the dry port in Wardha, Nagpur, has been developed as a multimodal logistics park with the National Highways Authority of India(NHAI). The Jalna project has 90 percent of its Inland Container Depot (ICD) works completed. NHAI and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has expressed interest in its operationalization, with the project cost set at ₹327 crores.

Port-led Industrialization

The chairman of JNPA, Sanjay Sethi IAS, spoke about this focus on multimodality, “JNPA plays a pivotal role in the Governments initiative of the Sagarmala to boost the port-led industrialization. JNPA has multiple projects under Sagarmala based on the four-fold view – to change dynamics and reduce logistics costs in India, boost overall economic development through ports and empower coastal communities put across by the ministry.”

He emphasized, “Acting as the major catalyst for the trade and shipping industry, JNPA’s projects like the fourth container terminal, JNPA SEZ, Dry Ports at Wardha and Jalna, additional liquid cargo jetty, and many more will foster the port’s ease of doing business and take Indian EXIM to greater heights.”

Spurring Development of Indian Ports

Giving an update on the recent IT disruption that disturbed the terminal operations, Sanjay Sethi adds that the port had initiated a sanitization process for the entire digital infrastructure and set up a new protocol to avoid such future occurrences. He further added that the port would finalize the process of privatization of JNPCT on April 28 and the coastal berth on May 2, 2022.

Due to the Sri Lankan economic crisis, its effect on the Colombo Port is not small as most Indian ports on the eastern coast depend on them for transshipment. The Sagarmala initiative has allowed the Indian ports to handle large volumes efficiently. Owing to the immense potential in Maharashtra’s coastal region, 131 projects worth ₹1.05 lakh crore have been proposed to be implemented in Maharashtra, and these projects involve various categories like port modernization, rail, road, cruise tourism, RORO, ROPAX, fisheries, coastal infrastructure, and skill development.

ROAD LOGISTICS IN INDIA SET FOR COMPOUNDED GROWTH OF $330BN BY 2025

The recently released ‘Inter-City Logistics Market Study’ has estimated a buoyant growth in the road logistics market in India in the next five years. The report by RedSeer’s early-stage research arm, RedCore, assesses a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8 percent, taking the inter-city road logistics to spend from USD 209 billion in 2021 to USD 330 billion by 2025.

Inter-city Road Logistics

Today inter-city road logistics accounts for nearly 87% of the total road logistics spend. The study indicates that the swiftly growing e-commerce market and retail sales sector have fueled an upswing in road logistics. The on-demand/spot market currently accounts for nearly 63 percent of the total inter-city road logistics spend, and the contract market takes up the rest of the market share. On-demand/spot cargo transport caters to unfulfilled and urgent demands, such as freight associated with defense, agriculture, food, building material, FMCG, PSUs. Such clients usually engage in moving goods immediately and prompt settlements.

According to the RedCore study, metros bring in approximately USD 84 billion, nearly 40 percent of the total inter-city logistic market. Road logistics today make up for a sizeable 60 percent of the overall logistics spend, which accounts for nearly 14 percent of GDP in India. The research notes that the relation between logistics cost and GDP is a direct indicator of the business competitiveness of India concerning transport infrastructure, freight management, and ease of doing business.

Starts-up Rule the Roost

This sector that is ripe for the picking has seen an upsurge in the number of startups that are consciously addressing industry pain points and changing the rules of the game. Innovative business models have sprouted, disrupting the sector and delivering value throughout the operating cycle. From discovery and booking to value-added services and delivery, new businesses engage with consignors, freight carrier owners, and truck owners to take this massive economic opportunity.

According to the study, the basis of most of these new enterprises is leveraging technology to build an accessible marketplace connecting stakeholders. Startups are making the on-demand/spot freight market direct and easy to engage in, such as connecting truck owners with verified transporters with commission-free, instant bookings. Regulatory changes, and policy improvements such as Logistic Efficient Enhancement Program (LEEP), Digital India, and Make in India, among others, have also propelled growth in the sector, the study notes.

INDIAN LOGISTICS INDUSTRY ADOPTS ELECTRONIC VEHICLES, AND THE IMPACT OF GREEN TAX

Despite the global pandemic, the logistics industry has witnessed exponential growth in the last few years. The industry has been incorporating new trends and technological innovations to stay on top of the game.

Logistics Industry Ushers in Electronic Vehicles
The logistics sector has played a crucial role in ushering in the Electronic Vehicles revolution in India. A giant leap for every industry, the logistics industry is driving this significant change for the entire nation. As we work towards sustainable growth, it is important to incorporate environmentally friendly techniques. India joining the World Logistics Passport has spurred the development of the national logistics sector.

Green Tax and the Logistics Sector
Implementing the ‘Green Tax’ by the Indian Government will have a big impact on the logistics sector. Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transports and Highways, announced the imposition of Green Tax on older vehicles to aid sustainable best practices. The scheme expects vehicles to pay 50% of the road tax and applicable for petrol and diesel vehicles.
According to the ministry, transport vehicles older than eight years could mainly fall under the Green Tax radar (at 10-25 % of road tax) right after they receive a renewal of a vehicle fitness certificate. From September onwards, vehicles older than 15 years will be owned by government departments and public sector undertakings.

Working in tandem with the Indian Government
The logistics industry in India will work hand-in-hand with the Government to create a more sustainable future. The Green Tax law comes as a push for the entire sector to have an eco-friendly growth model. With the EV revolution taking place, it should be easy for the sector to adapt to this law to bring the necessary changes All the logistics solution providers already have a plan post imposition and have been working on the same. It shouldn’t be difficult for the logistics sector to adapt to this change and move towards a green economy with new technologies

THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS – INDIA STORIES

With over 25 years of experience coupled with excellence, the CSS family gets you to close to what you define as the pinnacle of success. – India Stories

MR. JINU JOHN: HEAD, CORPORATE FINANCE

Jinu John started his career with CSS India in 2005 as Manager Accounts and now is Head of Corporate Finance. He is a team player and sees CSS as a customer-oriented and employee-friendly company. He has handled various challenges and delivered on key performance areas across his 16 years of continuous service. His goals and vision are to improve financial ratios related to working capital cycles, debtors management, Balance sheet health, and maintain compliance discipline in the best professional manner along with his focus on teamwork.

MR. T K VISHWANATH: GENERAL MANAGER SOUTH INDIA

T.K. Vishwanath has been an old stallion and has been associated with the CSS Group since 1999. He heads the South India branches of Tirupur Tuticorin and Coimbatore. Tirupur, known as India’s knitwear capital, contributes a huge amount of foreign Exchange through cotton knitwear export and over 10000 garment manufacturing industries in Tirupur. The industry has been able to book orders from all the world market, including European Union, U.S.A, Canada, Japan & Gulf countries.

Tirupur & Coimbatore is an inland container station and movement through Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin for the sea Shipments and Air Movements through Coimbatore, Chennai, Cochin & Bangalore. Apart from knitwear exports, they now started getting orders in provisions, coconut, coco by-products, food items, engineering tools, paper & pottery items.

Despite all challenges, his branches continue to deliver due. The most valuable thing he sees about CSS is job security, promotion, growth opportunities for the work done, treating employees in a friendly manner, and being given full freedom to work in their way of thinking.

“I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THE MANAGEMENT & TRUE ENTHUSIASM EMPLOYEES HAVE TOWARDS CSS DEVELOPMENT.” says Vishwanath

CSS CHENNAI: MR. JITTENDRA / MR. SATHIYA

Chennai is a thriving metropolis that saw an unprecedented boom over the last two decades, with several new industries related to automobiles, engineering, ports, logistics, supply chain, chemicals, entertainment flourishing in this period.

The immensely talented human capital in this market catered to the logistics needs of the industry.

Our CSS Chennai team is no different, and with their talent pool and absolute commitment, they have been able to deliver on organizational goals at all times.

The branch is headed by Mr. Jittendra, along with Mr. Sathiya, who runs Accounts for Chennai & Bangalore, and their wonderful team serves the clients to their best potential and is highly efficient in their output. They find the culture at CSS as friendly and considerate. Their vision is to help fulfill the goals of the organization in the most committed and professional manner.

CSS COCHIN / HINDUSTHAN SHIPPING: MS. LATHA ASHOKAN

Latha has been with the CSS Group since 1997 and handles the clearance department under Hindusthan Shipping apart from the regular consolidation and logistics activities. She is highly motivated and very happy with her long stint at CSS Group. She strives to remain a committed employee to the company and serves her best always.

CSS BANGALORE: MR SANDEEP ANTHUR

Sandeep has been with the CSS Group since 2007. He started his stint at the Mumbai operations and then relocated to Bangalore in 2009 where he is currently a branch manager.

With an office at the prime St Marks Road in Bangalore, they cater to various customers from garments, forgings, furniture, elevators, luggage, and packaging industries.

Bangalore, the hub of Information Technology in India, offers a professional work culture and an organized environment. With their various service verticals under import, export, clearance, logistics, clearance, etc., CSS Bangalore is poised to cater to its clients’ logistics needs.

With a close working relationship with team Chennai, which serves as a hub for Bangalore, the team is committed to delivering!

CSS KOLKATA: MR PIJUSH, BRANCH MANAGER

Kolkata is the hub for all activity in the resource-rich eastern Indian belt.

West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and even Nepal are served via the port of Kolkata.

CSS Kolkata offers logistics solutions to its customers in this industrial and mining belt with its various product verticals in imports and exports

They have the vision to be a provider of choice to the large marketplace. Pijush and his team, with the office located in the heart of the city, strive to satisfy their customer needs with all the resources at their disposal.

CSS DELHI: MR. RAJEEV KUMAR, SR GENERAL MANAGER

Delhi has evolved into a large manufacturing and services hub over the last three decades. Industries related to automobiles, textiles, garments, engineering, construction, food and beverage, spices, condiments, and renewable energy. With a massive development leading to high cargo volumes and strategic ICD’s at Tuglagabad, Dadri, Patparganj, and rail infrastructure connected to Mundra and Nhava Sheva ports, this market serves the entire northern belt of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh.

The developing towns of Panipat, Manesar, Sonepat, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon, and the prominence of Delhi as the national capital saw CSS Delhi commence its operations in 2007 and go on to serve these markets with their service offerings. Rajeev Kumar, who has been with the group since the day the Delhi office started, has been instrumental in this growth story. Along with his team, he is a dominant market leader by volume in the import consolidation vertical and continues to up the flag in this market for CSS India.

Team CSS Delhi’s experience is no different from any other office, and they find the creative and free decision-making atmosphere to be the hallmark of the group. It helps to hone talent in an open environment and leads to excellent thinking and quick decision-making to solve customer’s needs.

CSS LUDHIANA: MS. MEENA BRANCH MANAGER

Whether it is India’s telecom czar Bharti groups Mittal family or Shri KC Mahindra of the Mahindra Group, it is all thanks to this industrial city, which is also ranked as the best in India for ease of doing business by the World Bank. Small scale industrial units produce industrial goods, machine parts, auto parts, household appliances, hosiery, apparel, and garments. Ludhiana is Asia’s largest hub for bicycle manufacturing and produces more than 50% of India’s bicycle production of more than 10 million each year. Ludhiana produces 60% of India’s tractor parts and a

large portion of auto and two-wheeler parts. Many parts used in German cars such as Mercedes and BMW are exclusively produced in Ludhiana to satisfy the world requirement. It is one of the largest manufacturers of domestic sewing machines. Hand tools and industrial equipment are other specialties.

Meena heads the branch for CSS Ludhiana and is instrumental in spreading the message of our service capabilities in this market. She is dedicated and hardworking with a team player spirit.

CSS MUMBAI

Mumbai is the financial capital of India. It also has the largest container port in India, which is Nhava Sheva, located to the east of Mumbai. This serves as a gateway for conglomerates like The Tata Group, Reliance, Essar, Mahindra, Bajaj, Mercedes, Skoda, Thermax, Cummins, Alfa Laval, Glenmark, Pfizer, Glaxo, from Indian to Foreign corporates who are based in the western belt of Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad. Financial giants like HDFC Group, Kotak, ICICI, Bajaj Finance, NCDEX, NSE, BSE are all part of this vibrant ecosystem. Not to forget the multi-billion entertainment industry such as Disney, Sony, Yashraj, Dharma productions, Netflix, Zee, Balaji, and Prime Video are all located in Mumbai.

Then investment banks and large brokerages like Morgan Stanley, Motilal Oswal, Edelweiss, IIFL or wealth management firms like Marcellus, Helios or construction giants like Indiabulls, Lodha, Hiranandani and shipping giants like MSC, Hapag Lloyd, Maersk, CMA CGM, no one misses the cash cow of Mumbai. Mumbai offers a very well-trained and professional workforce. Pune is also called the Oxford of the East with its wide range of universities and international students.

CSS Mumbai went on an expansion spree since 2007 and has seen year after year growth and is the heartbeat of CSS India. It has professional, committed, loyal people in its journey, who continuously

TOTAL AVERAGE

Rahat Talreja
Vice President – CSS India Operations

Jim Rohn says, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

I’ll refine it further to say that these are five people that occupy your mind space and not necessarily physical proximity always.

You can apply this to your own life and see if it holds.

There are a set of words and thoughts that you constantly encounter, and your mind is occupied with them all the time.

Let’s take an example of a Carvels Ice cream store owner in Lynbrook, Long Island, New York. The words and thoughts resonating in his mind always are: Flavours, to promote the ice cream of the season, Lynbrook LIRR station to give directions to his customers, Weather to see if its summer enough for his clients to order ice cream, and so on.

Now take a flight and come to India.

The words that constantly resonate in a working Indians life and office are as follows :

Challan

TDS

ITNS 280

ITNS 281

Form 15CC

ESI

Form 24G

GSTR 1

GSTR 7

GSTR CMP 08

GSTR 3B

GSTR 5A

Registration

Certificate

Form 3BB

Cess

LBT

Property Tax

Form 13

Form 16

Capital Gain

Long term

Short term

Indexation

Labels

Weights

Measurement

BMC

RTO

Aadhar

PAN

Passport

True Copy

Self Attested

Documents

Customs

SIIB

SVB

CBI

NIA

Flying Squad

Investigation

Form C

Notary

Stamp Paper

DIN

Digital Signature

Authorized Signatory

Xerox

Lunch Time

Scan

PDF

Front and Back Copy

Manager

Approval

Peon

Head Office

Returns

Statement

OTP

Password

RTGS

NEFT

Application

Form

Letter

Docket

KYC

File

Colour copy

Short payment

Excess payment

No payment

System

Virus

Hang

License

Restart

N Form

C Form

Form 15CB

Due Date

We are the sum total of all this. Till we reach our own Due Date

QATAR AND INDIA TO INCREASE DIRECT SHIPMENT CAPACITY

Qatar and India have shown a keenness to enhance the current direct shipment frequency as part of efforts to strengthen the economic and business relations between the two countries.

Qatar and India are working on finding new direct shipping routes between the two historically friendly counties. The move has come in the wake of the economic blockade imposed on Qatar by the siege countries. This situation has caused Doha to review and strengthen its maritime diplomacy. Ten days before the blockade, the Ministry of Transport and Communications launched a new direct maritime line between Qatar and India, India Qatar Express Service, linking Hamad Port with Mundra (Gujarat) and Nhava Sheva Port (Maharashtra).

The Qatar India Business and Investment Conference

The India Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) organizes the first Qatar India Business and Investment Conference (QIBIC). Speaking on occasion, K M Varghese, the president of IBPC, said, “To increase the frequency of the current direct shipment capacity, an exclusive session will be held on ‘Doing Business in Qatar’ from a logistics point of view, addressing relevant issues related to this subject”.

K M Varghese said the conference’s main objective is to kick-start a series of such events to bring experts, decision-makers, and key stakeholders in wide-ranging areas, both Qatar and India, to find the synergies to engage in the two countries. Being the first conference, this conference’s focus will be on expertise and technologies rather than outright investment and projecting expected trade volumes between the two nations, stated Varghese.

Varghese also disclosed that QIBIC is slated to be an annual event. He concluded by saying, “We believe a conducive ambiance and atmosphere should be built first, between the experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders, to find areas of common interests before getting into the next phase of investing. We do hope that later episodes will scale into a higher level of exploring business deals.”

Connectivity between Doha and Nhava Sheva Port, Mumbai

Milaha Maritime and Logistics, a subsidiary of Milaha Group, was the first to launch the direct container service between Qatar and India in 2015. The non-stop service connects Qatar’s Doha port with Nhava Sheva, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, located in Mumbai.

Trade between Qatar and India has shown a phenomenal growth trend in recent years. The renewed trade links will further expand the thriving trade activities between the two nations. The trade links between the two nations go back in history, and India will always be Qatar’s natural business and trade partner

Source: www.gulf-times.com

RAHAT TALREJA LEADS CSS INDIA AS VICE PRESIDENT

css I was just back from New York after my stint as National Route Development Manager for Tigers Worldwide Logistics (formerly known as Kamino International) when I decided that I wanted to stay back in India and build my career here.

At the same time, the CSS Group was rolling out its expansion plans across India. That’s when I was awarded the opportunity to be part of the core management team in 2007.

A Journey of 14 years

My initial days were spent traveling across the length and breadth of India and also overseas. From meeting clients and agents to attendings logistics events, conferences, and seminars to establish our presence and service capabilities both within and outside India with our various product verticals. From building local teams and orienting them on work ethics, business process flow, data management, risk management, cultural quotient, and emotional discipline.

I was able to instill within the teams the power of being low key, business performance over public performance, ability to challenge oneself, reconstructing your benchmarks without bothering about the competition, importance of training, and altering business strategy to suit the macro environment.

All these aspects have become a part of my daily work life till today!

Change is the Only Constant

The 1990s, 2000s, the 2010s, and now 2021 have depicted different characteristics. The pace of change has accelerated. Every ten months, the world is changing now, which happened at a slower pace with a ten-year earlier gap. Also, work is abundant, so work should be co-related to resource deployment because, unlike work, resources always have limitations for individual organizations.

The Shipping Business Dynamics

The shipping business is 60% a legal business governed by a framework of rules, regulations, documents, checks, and balances, which define roles and duties with financial liabilities for each person involved in a transaction. The remaining 40% is capital allocation. What you allocate, to whom with what risk, what return, working capital cycle, transition risk.

Therefore, it’s a marriage of capital risk with legal risk. In this scenario, the crux of any management’s thinking should be to manage these two pillars most effectively.

Aligned to Organizational Objectives

If anything, people cause one to defocus from the core goals. Too many opinions and too many varying views can easily make one go astray. You may hire a very seasoned FCL salesperson but whether he aligns with your own goals is a different topic. We must listen to everyone but do what you have to, especially when you are clear on our organizational objectives. I always believe money in the pocket is money. Rest all of it is an act of circular jugglery.

Vision for CSS India

The vision for CSS India is to be the best in class in all financial parameters. From ROCE, ROE, EBIDTA margin, PAT margin, working capital days, and zero NPA along with high standards of tax and legal compliance, which is always our thrust. We do not believe in taking short cuts, a norm in the Indian market. Our Group Chairman’s unhindered support and faith enable us to achieve this level of financial fitness.

With freight rates having quadrupled and the capital cycle adding another 30-60 days extra, the capital requirements will increase to more than five-time soon. We need to use it efficiently!

If you make a crore by deploying a crore, you know the job. If you make a crore by deploying five crores, you need to be oriented, but if you make a crore by deploying ten crores, you need to be in Japan. This is my message to my team.

THE CONGESTED COLOMBO PORT – A BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR COCHIN PORT TRUST

With the congestion at the Colombo ports growing by leaps and bounds, the Cochin Port authorities expect several mainline vessels to anchor at the Cochin Port Trust shortly.

The first ship to have entered the Cochin Port Trust waters was the S.S.Padma (a coastal ship of the Bombay Steam Navigation Co.) on 26 May 1928. Since then, the Cochin Port Trust has been expanding to meet the trade requirements of the region.

The latest anchoring at the inner harbor of the Cochin Port Trust was of the 366.5-meter ship, Maersk Edinburgh. This mainline vessel of the 2M Alliance was berthed at the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam under the US East Coast Service.

Another fact accorded to this ship is that it belongs to 13568 TEU Container Capacity Vessels that are among the largest class of ships called at Indian Ports. With the ongoing congestion at the Colombo Port, the mainline will benefit in two aspects. The benefits include lower logistics costs as well as lower transit time of cargo.

Interestingly, trade sources all point out that Colombo congestion has turned out to be an opportunity for the Kochi ports. This has promoted the trans-shipment business following the diversion of ships. This directly boosts Kochi’s image in handling the transshipment of cargoes

INDIA-CLMV BUSINESS CONCLAVE 2020: BUILDING BRIDGES FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

The Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. V. Muraleedharan, suggested that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV countries) join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Resilient Supply Chain Initiative (RSCI).

Both India and the CLMV region are actively involved in innovating renewable energy sources and partnerships to penetrate global value chains.

This new alliance could help promote connectivity to boost trade with the region. The CLMV region within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises its newest, lowest income, and formerly closed-economy members spoke V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs. The Minister was speaking at the Índia-CLMV Business Conclave 2020 – “Building Bridges for Constructive Development” organized by the Commerce & Industry Ministry and the industry body, Confederation of Indian Industries, CII.

Regarding India’s cooperation with the CLMV region on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister stated that India provided medicines and medical supplies to the region and provided trained medical personnel under the I -TEC scheme. According to a statement from the CII, the Minister remarked, “India seeks to enhance its cooperation and collaboration with the CLMV region in terms of developing a vaccine for COVID 19 and is willing to share the vaccine as and when it is ready.”

The Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Mr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, highlighted the need to promote connectivity with the CLMV region and emphasize its rail networks be strengthened to help promote tourism in the Buddhist circuit.

He emphasized, “Efforts are underway to operationalize vital infrastructure links between CLMV countries and India for better economic integration. The Trilateral Highway, connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand, will serve as a lifeline for India’s Mekong and North-East region. Proposals are currently underway to extend the highway to Laos.”

The Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Lao People’s Republic, Khemmani Pholsena, stressed that India and the CLMV countries need to work together to improve agriculture productivity, promote infrastructure development within the region and enhance the ease of doing business by promoting trade facilitation. She also reiterated that IT, renewable energy, drugs, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure development needed attention in close detail.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chhuon Dara, the Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce from the Kingdom of Cambodia, spoke about the need to improve trade facilitation, logistics availability, and the creation of a single-window clearance mechanism to help boost trade between India and the region. India also needs to support the CLMV countries in the e-commerce and digital economy fields and promote regional energy connectivity.

CSS TO IMPLEMENT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AS A SOLUTION BY ETISALAT

CSS’s top management team met with Etisalat for the initial discussions to implement the Etisalat Video Surveillance as a Solution (VSAAS) along with a Smart Messaging Platform. Etisalat Video Surveillance as a Solution provides business enterprises with value-added services that address their security and regulatory compliance requirements.

Enabled by the state-of-the-art onsite video surveillance technology that will be deployed at CSS, Etisalat can proactively use, manage, troubleshoot, and support this solution. Hamad Mohammed Al Marzooqi, VP of Etisalat Managed SMB, Khalid M Yateem, Director of Etisalat Managed SMB and Jithesh Vijakumar, Sales Manager, Etisalat attended the meeting, along with the CSS team, which included Chandrakala, Krishna Kaladharan, Susanth Shekar, Pothen Thomas, and Arun Snehajan. A visit to the Innovation Center has also been scheduled for the near future.

The first-of-its-kind video surveillance solution in the UAE, this one-stop solution, is for all our video surveillance needs. From end-to-end managed services, security surveillance with analytics, web and mobile access, business intelligence and upgradable cloud storage, other features include end to end managed services, heat maps, people counting, a security system, and a queuing management solution.

Enabling this solution at the CSS office premises will help us manage our business more efficiently while increasing our business productivity. This partnership resounds with Etisalat’s tagline, which says, ‘Your business grows with us.’ Enabling this solution will increase the safety and security of our premises, resources, and assets and allow us to optimize our operations.

THE RECYCLING OF SHIPS ACT, 2019: TOWARDS AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY AND SAFE SHIP RECYCLING IN INDIA

Shipbreaking or ship recycling is defined as one of the most hazardous jobs in the world by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It is the process by which old ships and vessels are taken apart, dismantled, and its components are recycled. As observed by the International Maritime Organisation, the ship recycling process is most productive as nothing from a dismantled ship goes into waste. The equipment and components of a recycled ship can be reused in its entirety in other industries. If done efficiently and economically friendly, it can be turned into a green business by using the recycled components for even building new ships. The darker side of ship breaking is that it creates a variety of pollutions, including air, land, water, and noise due to the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. As most of the works are done manually, it also leads to many occupational hazards to the manual workers if the working conditions are substandard and not in compliance with international safety standards.

India is in the frontline among the countries that are engaged mainly in the business of ship breaking. Apart from India, South Asian countries like Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan also give massive competition in the ship breaking industry. The ship owners mostly choose these countries due to the relaxed environment regulations and labor standards followed by the Countries in this industry.

Joy Thattil

Maritime Lawyer & Partner @ Callidus

Dubai, Singapore & India

joy@calliduscmc.com

In India, the condition was no different since the Central Government announced the ship breaking industry as a small scale industry. The business started to flourish under minimal regulations concerning environmental protection and labor standards.

The Supreme Court decision in Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Natural Resource Policy v. Union of India (2007) 15 SCC 193, provided an impetus to the legal framework governing ship recycling in India. According to the directions put forth by the Supreme Court in this case, the Central Government formulated the Shipbreaking Code in 2013, providing a comprehensive scheme for regulating shipbreaking in India. But the Code failed to address many provisions contained in the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation. This Convention ensures that ships, when being recycled after the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risk to the environment and human health and safety. The Convention details out the procedure to be followed for the survey and certification of ships as well as for the authorization of ship-recycling facilities.

Realising the need for an inclusive legislation on ship recycling, the Indian legislature enacted the ‘The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019’, and on December 13, 2019, the Act came into force after receiving the assent of the President. This Act is an attempt to bring about an environment-friendly shipbreaking practice in India. The object of the Act is to provide for the regulation of recycling of ships by setting certain standards and laying down the statutory mechanism for enforcement of such standards.

The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, is in tune with the Hong Kong Convention in many aspects, and the Act restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous materials, which is uniformly applicable to all ships in India, irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not. For new ships, such restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous materials will be immediate, that is, from the date the legislation came into force. In contrast, the existing ships shall have a period of five years for compliance. However, such a restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous materials does not apply to warships and non-commercial ships operated by Government.

Under this Act, ship recycling facilities are required to be authorized, and ships shall be recycled only in such authorized ship recycling facilities. This Act also provides that ships shall be recycled following a ship-specific recycling plan. Ships to be recycled in India shall be required to obtain a ‘Ready for Recycling Certificate’ under the Hong Kong Convention.

The Act also imposes a statutory duty on ship recyclers to ensure safe and environmentally sound removal and management of hazardous wastes from ships. Appropriate penal provisions have been introduced in the Act to deter any violation of statutory provisions.

India, being the global leader in ship breaking, aims at boosting its economy as well as the ship recycling industry through the enactment of this legislation by bringing about an environment and labor-friendly regulatory mechanism in the ship breaking process.

TWELVE INDIA GOVERNMENT-OWNED PORTS SWITCH TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

Twelve government-owned major ports in India have moved to renewable energy sources for their power. The twelve ports are Deendayal Port Trust, Mumbai Port Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, New Mangalore Port Trust, Mormugao Port Trust, Cochin Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust, VO Chidambaranar Port Trust, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Paradip Port Trust, Kolkata Port Trust, and Kamarajar Port Ltd. This landmark move makes India the first country to have all state-owned ports powered by solar and wind energy.

Following the directive issued under the Shipping Ministry’s green initiative, the ports had to install grid-connected and roof-top solar and wind power projects to run the day-to-day operations, including supplying shore-power to visiting ships in an eco-friendly manner.

Also called cold ironing or alternative maritime power, shore power allows docked ships to work their electrical systems using shore-side power and to switch off their auxiliary engines. Shore power works in reducing emissions and cutting operational costs for shipping companies. It also allows shipping companies to meet emission targets, especially those related to emission control areas.

The emissions from ships at berth are estimated to be ten times more than the port’s operations. Ships consume a large amount of power even though they are not propelling, and running the fuel-powered generators result in noise pollution and emissions. The shore-side power supply is environment-friendly, and all the major Indian ports have developed the necessary infrastructure to power all types of vessels when they are berthed at these ports.

Renewable energy also enables ports to bring down their energy costs, thereby bringing down operational costs, finally lowering shipping and cargo levies. India’s maritime governing body has framed the operating procedures (SOP) for shore electric power supply to ships in Indian ports that presently cover only a low power supply – up to 150 kW at low voltage. However, they will issue the new SOP when the high voltage supply is ready at the ports.

INDIAN GOVERNMENT TO UNVEIL A NEW NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister of India, declared in her Budget 2020 speech that the government will soon roll out a national logistics policy. The policy will help in clarifying the roles of Centre, states, and key regulators in logistics. The policy also envisages the creation of a single-window e-logistics marketplace, which facilitates the creation of new jobs, new skill sets, and making MSMEs more productive. A one-stop platform for exporters and importers, the e-logistics marketplace will promote the seamless movement of goods across the country.

Being drawn out by the logistics division under the Commerce Ministry, the policy garners significance as the high cost of logistics within the Indian market impacts the competitiveness of India-made products in global markets. If implemented correctly, the policy will provide a significant boost to cross-border trade and improve export competitiveness, thereby improving India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index. The Ministry of Commerce also stated the highly defragmented nature of India’s logistics sector. By 2022, the policy aims to significantly reduce the logistics cost from the current 14% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to less than 10%.

With 200 shipping agencies, 36 logistics services providers, 129 ICDs (inland container depots), 168 CFSs (Container Freight Stations), 50 IT ecosystems and banks and insurance agencies, the Indian logistics industry is a behemoth, providing jobs to more than 22 million people across the country. Streamlining the operations of this humongous sector will lead to a 5-8% increase in exports. With the logistics market in India slated to be around $215 billion by the year 2022, an incredible jump from the current $160 billion, the policy will pave the way to making India into a logistics hub.

A JOURNEY PAR EXCELLENCE

CONSOLE SHIPPING SERVICES INDIA PVT. LTD

CSS Group has made remarkable progress in the Indian Sub-continent with a well reputed brand identity. Console Shipping Services India Pvt. Ltd. Is today one of the front runners and a respectable brand within Shipping and Logistics. CSS India operates as three major regions namely Northern, Central and Southern regions which control major cities and gateway ports in their respective domains. CSS North Indian operations are evenly spread out with deep roots of business in-lanes created through Punjab, Haryana and other manufacturing centres of the Northern Region. “The demand for Logistics services has been largely driven by the remarkable growth of the Indian economy. The growth cannot be judged with any short term situations, but it is totally dependent on the infrastructural development and the policies adopted by the government. CSS India has got aspirations in gaining greater momentum in the region” Commented Rajesh Arora VP, CSS North India.

CSS has seen a steady growth in its central Indian operations controlled from the commercial capital, Mumbai, over the past years. The remarkable progress in the export segment and projects has attracted major brands to CSS. “We are mainly focussing on relationship marketing which is by far the most important thing required. The overall prospects for the logistics segment in the country are promising as well” mentioned Rahat Talreja, VP, CSS Central India.

The country’s logistics industry is projected to be worth $215 billion by 2020-21, recording a 10 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over its approximate size of $160 billion in 2016-17. It’s been calculated that the logistics players in India may gain due to several reasons such as increased domestic consumption, rising exports, surging container volumes, loosening infrastructure bottlenecks and increased investments in the new facilities. Development of logistics related infrastructure, like dedicated freight corridors, logistics parks, free trade warehousing zones and container freight stations, are expected to improve efficiency, as per reports.

Console Shipping Services towards the Southern region is headquartered in Chennai with offices spread out in Tirupur, Tuticorin, Coimbatore and Bangalore. South has recently witnessed some commendable achievements in the field of Projects Movement, especially Machinery. “It is a welcome initiative from the Government of India to create freight corridors and Logistics Park in the National Highways. Southern region, where the infrastructural developments are by far the best compared to the other parts of the country, will greatly benefit from this new development” commented T K Viswanath, General Manager, South India.

Today, Console shipping services India, with its strategic positioning in major cities and gateway ports, is capable of handling all types of logistics movement both Imports and exports from any remotest part of the country.

EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES

BUDGET AND STRATEGY DISCUSSED AT THE CSS INDIA MEET

CSS India Strategy and Budget Meet was successfully concluded recently. The meeting was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kochi from the 15th to 16th March 2019. Station heads and key decision makers from within the group company attended the meeting along with the CSS India Vice Presidents. The welcome address was done by Rahat Talreja, Vice President CSS Central India, wherein he opened up a discussion on the changes happening in the global economic scenario and the possibilities for CSS India in the coming few months.

Followed by Rahat, CSS Delhi did the presentation. CSS North India Vice President, Rajesh Arora in his remarks re-iterated the need for more close coordination of all the branches for providing flawless services in the entire Sub-continent. For the first time, CSS Colombo also made their presence at the CSS India Meet in Kochi. Ms. Menusha, General Manager, represented Colombo.

Detailed discussions were made on all aspects of export and import services. In her remarks, CSS Group COO for NVOCC, Chandrakala (CK) pointed out the need for more effective use of the IT platform, especially the CRM related activities for creating more transparency in the CSS service offerings.

Midhun George, Asst. General Manager CSS Abu Dhabi attended the two day meet and interacted with all the participants. Special thrust was given to certain network associates and their importance in his presentation as well, by Midhun.

Day two witnessed presentations from Chennai, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Kolkata, Ludhiana and Colombo offices. Closing remarks were made by The CSS Group Chairman T S Kaladharan. He focused on bringing in more combined efforts from all offices for effective utilization of the resources and maximize profits. At the same time, he urged the group members to be more particular in the personalization of services to create a long-standing relationship with the customers.

The first evening dinner was organised at the pool side venue of Crowne plaza. The second evening was organised at the historic Fort Kochi area. All participants travelled to Fort Kochi, Hotel Fragrant Nature. The Dinner was accompanied with a Gazal performance by acclaimed singer Janardhan Athri. It was an enjoyable evening with the mesmerizing musical performance as well as the Dinner.

Warehousing in India

Warehousing industry in India is one of the prominent market segments in total Logistic Sector. Implementation of GST & various E commerce as the two important factors that have created significant growth prospects for the warehousing sector in India. Experts claim a total of approximately 43,000 Crore rupees investment scope by 2020 in this sector.
There are various factors which helps warehousing sector to boost to its peak in Indian market.

1. Growing manufacturing activity under “MAKE IN INDIA” campaign driven by current government
2. Rising domestic consumption
3. Increasing International trade
4. Increasing in Organic harvesting
5. Growing investment of Indian & foreign in warehousing infrastructure
6. Ease of Government rules is last but not the least

In present scenario the warehousing industry is approximately 560,000 crore rupees excluding inventory carrying cost which amount to another 4340 thousand crore rupees with a minimum growth of 10% annually. The industry although is facing a lot of difficulties due to improper cargo flows, improper infrastructure, limited capability of carrying capacity so on and so forth.

Industrial / retail warehousing is major contributor in total warehousing industry with its 55% of total market share followed by 14% – 15 % Share by CFS/ICD, Agri warehousing & Cold store.

Industrial Warehousing is approximately 310 thousand crore rupees market with a basic growth of 10-12% in recent past. Some major players in Industrial warehousing are DHL, Safeexpress, Continental warehousing, Indo Arya, All Cargo etc.

Agri warehousing accounts 15% of total market share with an annual growth of 9-10 % in past few years mainly due to growing annual agriculture production, standardized warehousing operations as per Warehousing development & regulation act, subsidy scheme & Tax Incentive. Key players in Agri warehousing are Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). Although 30 % of Agri Warehousing is still operated by unorganized small warehouse owners.

Cold stores accounts of almost 16 % of total warehousing industry and it expected to grow at 15% per annum on a sustained basis over the next 5 years with the organized market growth at a faster pace of 20%. Some significant players are Snowman, Gati Kausar, Cold Star, ColdEx, Kelvin Cold Chain etc.

Last but not the least is Container handling & storage. ICD/ CFS accounts almost 14% of total warehousing market in India and in past 3 years it has grown 10-15 % with almost 90,000 crore rupees market value. Government initiatives, faster container rail transport & secure cargo movement is the main reason for sudden growth rate in containerized movement of Cargo. The government run CONCOR (Container Corporation of India Ltd) continues to be the largest player operating 48 terminals which handles EXIM Cargo while 14 others handle domestic traffic only.
In today’s scenario Warehousing is not only for storage and transport service it is fast emerging as strategic end to end solutions that improves efficiencies with organized & skilled professional services. The fast growth in retail, automotive, manufacturing, pharmacy and agriculture along with GST in India is expected to give a proper thrust in Warehousing & Logistic business.

CSS GROUP’S DONATION DRIVE – RELIEF FOR KERALA, INDIA

In view of the worst devastation in nearly a century suffered by Kerala due to the recent rains and floods, the CSS Group is leading a donation drive in the UAE starting from the 15th to the 19th of August, 2018.

Kerala is going through a difficult time, with thousands of people rendered homeless and seeking shelter in relief camps. While the government is doing everything possible to rehabilitate victims, there are still things that the CSS Group and its employees can contribute towards to provide aid.

The CSS Group has teamed up with Dubai KMCC – a registered organization in Dubai under the Social Regulatory & Licensing (Community Development Authority), Government of Dubai and Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department, Government of Dubai. It enjoys the trust and goodwill of thousands of Indians, especially Keralites, in recognition of its efforts to provide relief, both in the UAE and in Kerala.

We request all those interested to extend their goodwill by donating various relief material (please note, cash cannot be accepted. Only material aid can be sent forward). Examples of items are listed below – please note, you are not restricted to just those below – you can also donate anything from foldable beds/cots or even pampers.

TOILETRIES	TOOTHBRUSH / TOOTH PASTE / BATH SOAP / SANITARY NAPKINS
LINENS	BLANKETS BEDSHEETS / PILLOW - COVERS BATH TOWELS
APPARELS / ACCESSORIES	DRESSES/CLOTHES (PLEASE DO NOT DONATE USED/TORN/DAMAGED CLOTHES) SANDALS / SLIP-ONS
FOOD ITEMS	NO PERISHABLE ITEMS, ONLY PACKAGED
SCHOOL KITS	NOTEBOOKS / PENCILS / SCHOOL BAGS / PENS / ERASER / UMBRELLA FOR KIDS

Our offices in JAFZA, Al Quoz, Garhoud (Suite #308) and Sharjah will be accepting donations from the public following the schedule below:

Location	Saturday (18th August, 2018)	Sunday (19th August, 2018)	Contact numbers and person
JAFZA	8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	04 887 2 333 (Mary) 050 9381 790 (Aparna S)
Al Quoz (CSS Homeward Bound)	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	04 321 7 388 050 980 3 101 (Roshan/Nashmi/Arya)
Garhoud (CSS Logisitcs)	8 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m.	8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.	04 222 2 039 / 052 804 8919 (Aparna/Abilash)
Sharjah (CSS Kingston Logistics)	-	8 a.m. – 3 p.m.	06 557 5 111 050 657 6 996 (Thomas)

If you have any other queries, please email marketing@cssdubai.com for further details.