Chairman’s Message

There is a saying that when times are hard true friends recognise each other. During turbulent times of recession our friends have supported CSS making 2010 a wonderful year for our group.  I would like to express my thanks to everyone in the knowledge that we have equally endeavoured to recognise and service your needs and hopefully exceeded your expectations. The relentless effort and enthusiasm shown by all our employees for achieving the goals, which help both you and CSS prosper, is to be applauded. I extend my thanks and congratulations to all the CSS team.

I believe that 2011 will bring a new optimism and a more amenable climate for the industry as a whole. Within CSS we need to ensure that our clients and associates are welcomed into a cordial and responsive atmosphere. By being more effective and enhancing our key internal strengths, I am confident my vision of opportunity and optimism will be achieved.

Over the past years we have been successful in honouring our commitments and gaining respect for the CSS family, amongst the shipping and logistics community. We have also not been complacent in our desires to support our corporate social responsibilities. May good fortune be with us so we may expand our efforts on behalf of the needy and deserving in society.

As we enter 2011, at CSS we recognise that by continually seeking to discover and refresh our ideas, we are proactive in focusing our efforts to achieve success. Enriched by this and similar experiences we will continue to demonstrate that, not only by words but also by our actions and services, we will enter 2011 with a spirit of great optimism.

I convey my sincere thanks and best wishes to you for New Year 2011.

Lighthouse FOCUS

It is probably always true that when you see an idea grow into success you feel a happy sense of achievement.  It is this feeling which should encourage us all to keep trying and developing.  “Lighthouse” began as a normal newsletter which became well patronised by our readers. The result is that it has become a prominent bi-monthly magazine in the “Shipping and Logistics” industry. To build on this success, I would like to introduce, as a New Year gift, another novel initiative “Lighthouse FOCUS”. The main aim of “Focus” will be to give in-depth coverage to every C.S.S. department and division.  “Focus” will zoom into all departments and divisions highlighting their activities and events. I am confident that this new opportunity to know us better will be well accepted by all our readers and well wishers making this a grand success.

Dubai Global Village

The Air Freight Division of CSS Group has been appointed the exclusive agents to handle all the fresh fruits from Thailand that will be retailed at the highly successful Thai Pavilion at the Global Village.

Global Village is Dubai’s most popular outdoor cultural entertainment and shopping venue, welcoming millions of guests over the last 13 years. With over 39 countries participating in the various cultural shows and pavilions on display, its a shopaholics delight with over 4.2 million visitors passing through its gates over a period of 3 months.

Jacob Isaac, General Manager, Air Freight Division, CSS Group commented “The CSS Air Freight team based at CSS Dubai Cargo Village, have a mix of expertise and are geared to handle any specific or special need at any time to ensure our clients needs and time frame are met. The cargo for the Thai Pavilion was an interesting challenge, which was completed successfully during the given time frames.”

CSS Group will handle over 125 tons of fresh fruits during the months of November to February 2011. Due to the perishable nature of the fruits, the cargo handler must be able to immediately process the documents required through various authorities during a short period of time, and offer clearance and refrigerated transport to the site at Global Village.

Saijai Waiyakruttha, Manager, Thailand Pavilions stated “We are extremely pleased with the service so far received from the CSS Group staff. They are always available to help us when necessary even on weekends, which are a peak time for us here at the Global Village. We would like to thank each and every member of the CSS Group Air Freight team for their assistance and we look forward to working with them for more projects.”

CSS Projects

CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division has always been exceptional when it comes to handling specialized shipments of huge volume. On 13th November 2010, 9:30 AM the vessel VEESHAM OAK berthed Jebel Ali Port ready to load the cargo to Mostaghanem, Algeria. The collection of the shipment was from three different locations in the UAE (Dubai, Jebel Ali & Mafraq) which was done over a period of 2 days. Loading of 3205 CBM was a critical operation which lasted for 8 hours and was closely supervised till the end by CSS Projects, Oil and Energy division staff at the prime location. The 11 RORO equipment inclusive of 4 trucks were loaded on the Main deck and the rest 21 static units which included spare parts, frames and other equipments where loaded on the weather deck. At the end of the day it was yet another achievement for CSS Group and also a milestone for the Projects, Oil and Energy division.

Breakbulk Asia

Breakbulk Asia is the leading and most important gathering in Asia for companies involved in the shipping of heavy-lift, project cargo and traditional Breakbulk cargoes. It will be held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention Centre from January 24th to the 26th, 2011.

The success of CSS Group’s foray as an exhibitor at Breakbulk Asia in 2010 has led to the increased participation of not only Group offices but also network partners.

Oliver Hahn, Regional Manager, IFS Doha/Muscat, a leading freight forwarder and the network partner of CSS in Qatar will be participating alongside CSS Group in this year’s exhibition. Specializing in professional freight forwarding services which add value to the overall supply chain is the primary focus of its operations in Doha in addition to handling turnkey project movements for the Middle East region.

In addition to the CSS network partners the following CSS Group offices will also be participating:

Dean Landers, General Manager, from CSS Kuwait will be participating in Breakbulk Asia for the first time since the office inception in 2005. In addition to handling all facets of the freight forwarding, logistics, and projects oil and energy industry, CSS Kuwait specializes in the handling of dangerous goods and the transhipment of cargoes to Iraq via KFTZ.

Located in the heart of Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, CSS Bahrain offers its clients an expertise in projects handling and yacht and marine logistics in addition to owning and operating its own CFS facility within Mina Salmaan Port. Narayan Tagore, General Manager of CSS Bahrain will also be participating at Break Bulk Asia for the first time, having been a visitor for two years consecutively.

With the increase in the participation of CSS Group network partners and group offices Break Bulk Asia will serve as an ideal platform for which CSS Group will not only strengthen its visibility within the Asia and the Middle East market but also establish itself as a key player in the shipping industry.

Finally from the UAE, Suku Sudhakaran, Assistant General Manager of CSS Abu Dhabi who has served as a visitor will now be a participant at the Break Bulk Asia Exhibition. CSS Abu Dhabi has been successful in providing optimum solutions for the requirements of the freight forwarding and logistics industry while also concentrating in the niche areas of local and international land transportation, yacht and marine logistics, projects management, Oil and Gas sectors and personal effects management.

Also in attendance will be T.S. Kaladharan, Chairman CSS Group and accompanying him will be Amith Horra, Marketing Manager, CSS Group and Chandra Kala, Management Trainee Projects, Oil & Energy Division, CSS Group.

For more information about the exhibition, please log on to:

www.cssgroupsite.com and asia.breakbulk.com

Air Freight Management

As part of a facelift process and to provide improved service to their clients, the Air Freight division of CSS is moving to a more  spacious and modern facility at the Mega terminal , Dubai Cargo Village.

The Air Freight department of Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C. offers sophisticated and innovative air cargo services with its home base at Dubai Cargo Village. The Air Freight Management team is rated as the total solutions provider and a trusted partner for Air Cargo Management. Our expertise of import and export requirements, customs regulations, licenses, payment practices and consular documentation can guide you to achieve the optimum results in the Air Freight operations. CSS Air Freight division is a proven success in the realm of its operation. CSS has obtained partnerships with an exclusive network of agents’ worldwide. Their expertise in multimodal operations, project cargo handling, air craft chartering etc makes them unique in this field.

CSS Sales Strategy Meet 2011

The annual CSS Sales Strategy Meet 2011 was held at the Jumeirah Meydan Hotel in Dubai UAE, on the 25th & 26th of November. In attendance at the event were CSS Senior Management and Department Heads from the Middle East and the Indian Sub Continent. In addition, special guests Oliver Hahn from IFS Doha, Dean Landers from CSS Kuwait and Wendy Hain from Spatial Group were also present.

The theme for this year’s meeting was “Tomorrow is Yours” – CSS is starting a Green Tomorrow for All, Today.

The Annual Strategy meet held every year is a platform on which the key players within the CSS Group present their achievements of 2010 and the annual budget followed by their action plan for the year 2011 and receive feedback from other departments. The core purpose of the Strategy Meet is to evaluate the performance and to analyze the new market trends and the areas of business that are a crucial element of the continuing development of CSS core businesses.

On the 25th evening a Gala dinner was organized for the meet attendees and the main attraction was the live horse racing from the Jumeirah Meydan Hotel racetrack.

Amith Horra, Cheryl Annes, Chandra Kala and Deepu S Dev headed the CSS Sales Strategy Meet organizing committee. CSS extends its gratitude to all those who had participated and truly appreciate everyone’s support and cooperation in making the annual CSS Sales Strategy Meet a success.

Welcome Breakbulk 2011 Singapore

CSS Group is participating in the Breakbulk conference and exhibition 2011, at the Suntec city, Singapore. As a group company, the active participation at Singapore is from the CSS offices of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan and network partner IFS Doha. Breakbulk conference and exhibition always provide a platform to meet and greet the customers and well wishers, to understand the growing trends, to hear the concerns and to discuss and evolve solutions for the industry grievances.

The Breakbulk (www.breakbulk.com) division of UBM Global Trade has been the most trusted source of intelligence for the breakbulk and project cargo industry since its first breakbulk conference in 1989. CSS Group is delighted to be associated with this prestigious establishment.

Breakbulk Houston

Te 2010 Breakbulk Americas Conference and Exhibition held in Houston in October generated nearly $5 million in local revenue, according to a report released by the Port of Houston Authority.

The conference, held Oct 11-15 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, drew more than 4000 shippers, supply-chain managers and industry experts. The conference included a leadership summit of industry executives who reviewed compliance issues and two days of program sessions and keynote speakers addressing industry issues and breaking-out forecasts.

“Breakbulk Americas Conference and Exhibition was a singular success and will return to Houston in 2012,” announced Ricky W. Kunz, Vice President, Origination.

Kunz reported that Houston was the first-time host of this two-day conference that saw record attendance of nearly 4,000 shippers, supply chain providers and industry leaders from around the world. Attendance nearly doubled the highest turnout in the event’s previous 21-year history. Breakbulk Americas 2010 generated more than $4.9 million in direct economic impact on Houston, according to a report from the Port of Houston Authority’s Economic Analysis Division. The analysis considered many factors, including hotel accommodations, transportation, food and beverage services and more during the two-day conference.

These benefits are in addition to the impact of contracts and shipping arrangements put in place as a result of the event, helping continue the leadership of the Port of Houston as the largest Breakbulk port in the U.S. and a leader in steel and project cargo for more than 90 years.

“We are delighted with the record attendance and number of exhibitors set by the conference’s debut in Houston,” said Alli McEntyre, Vice President and Publisher of Breakbulk Magazine and Events. “The Breakbulk Americas event is well-established as a must-attend event for this sector because of the business intelligence and networking opportunities it provides attendees.”

Besides forecasts for capital projects, multipurpose fleets and steel shipping, industry executives discussed important Breakbulk and project cargo issues ranging from trends in the energy market and evolving contract strategies to solutions for U.S. surface transportation project cargo restrictions and the new role of freight forwarders.

On the packed exhibition floor, exhibitors celebrated their latest achievements during the conference. The grand finale of the event was the Port Night Party hosted by the Port of Houston, which drew a crowd of more than 2,500 people at Minute Maid Park.

CSS Group has secured its place at the Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition to be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA, USA from October 25-27, 2011. Stay Tuned for more details on www.cssgroupsite.com

Supply Chain Management

The Supply Chain Management facility set up in 2004 is situated in Jebel Ali, the world’s fastest growing Free Zone. Supply chain management reduces inefficiencies as to time, inventories and cost. The global presence of CSS Group has brought in a handful of reputed names as clients to the facility.



  • Staff strength of over 40 personnel
  • Integrated software system developed     in house
  • Operational space of 140,000 sq.ft. with 22,000 CBM capacity
  • 12,200 pallet positions
  • 100% double deep racking system
  • Staging and reworking areas
  • Operational with 10 forklifts
  • 19 loading bays
  • Computerized inventory management
  • Designated space for handling value added services
  • Managed and Operated by CSS Staff and equipment

CSS AT ADIPEC

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ADIPEC was inaugurated with the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser to a footfall of over 10,000 vistors on Day 1 of the event alone.

The highly anticipated ADIPEC 2010, also witnessed for the first time a joint participation between CSS Group and GPLN at one of the largest International Petroleum Exhibition and conference in the world.

The event, which lasted over four days, had a total footfall of over 38,000 visitors at the end of Day 3 only. Over $4bn dollars of deals have been confirmed as a result of this year’s ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition) with some of the biggest names in the global oil and gas industry securing contracts and re-confirming deals at the four day event.

Hifazat Ahmad, event director of ADIPEC, said: “There has been a real buzz on the show floor, whether its deals being discussed, relationships being formed or partnerships coming together. Many of these deals may have been in talks for months but companies recognize that ADIPEC is an ideal platform to sign on the dotted line and confirm the projects.”

During the course of the 4 day exhibition, CSS Senior Managemnet and GPLN members took the opportunity to increase their visibility amongst the key players in the Oil and Gas industry while meeting various members of the GPLN fraternity through which numerous partnerships were created and commitments made for future business.

Delhi Calling!!!

The post commonwealth games seem to have jump started Delhi’s business environment, with a new wave of enthusiasm seen in all segments of business. New projects are being initiated and the existing ones are being completed. Delhi is getting ready for the next phase of the Metro which will link the airport and the railway station. The domestic airport and the Disney world in Noida and the automatic cabs in Gurgaon are the other major projects getting initiated.

CSS Delhi with its mixed clientele of direct shippers, freight forwarders and custom house agents has grown leaps and bounds. With volumes reaching to 500 teus during the months of June & July, the last 12 months for CSS Delhi was really rewarding in all the trade lanes of Export, FCL, and Console & Air Freight. They became the number one lifter during June and July with MSC from North India which was an appreciable achievement.

CSS Delhi with a team of efficient and committed staff is working presently at increasing the LCL volumes and increasing business in the special equipment sector. The major products being handled in Delhi include paper, tiles, cattle feed, machine and hand tools. Its arms are reaching the outskirts of the main town touching areas like Moradabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur & Agra.  A promising 2011 is calling Delhi and the Team CSS charts out some innovative approaches in tackling this new environment.

News At A Glance

Peters & May chooses CSS for its UAE operations

CSS join hands with Spatial Group

CSS at Breakbulk Asia Singapore Booth C17

CSS Saudi’s own CFS at Dammam and Jeddah

New facility for CSS at Bahrain Logistics Zone

CSS Air Freight’s face lift at Mega terminal – Dubai Cargo Village

CSS attended Breakbulk

Americas

CSS Group

showcased itself at the ADIPEC with GPLN

Sales Strategy

Meet of CSS Group was held in Dubai in November

15th Anniversary of CSS Group was celebrated in Dubai April 2010

CSS GROUP

Acompany established in the year 1995, Consolidated Shipping Group is today a well known name in the Shipping and Logistics fraternity. This has been achieved by the unyielding efforts taken by the present and the previous employees in the company. Obviously the focused approach by the Management made things very easy. Time was ripe when CSS entered the industry of cargo movement and the wise thinkers who had lined up alongside T.S.Kaladharan, the Group Chairman, never wasted even a second to harvest the opportunities. Today, CSS Group has to its credit an enviable list of Global Network Partners. CSS has a dedicated and highly skilled team of over 750 professionals around the globe offering integrated freight forwarding & logistic solutions to varied clientele. The Group Company has a well established operational office presence in the Middle East & the Indian Sub-Continent.

CORE ACTIVITIES

  • NVOCC
  • Ocean Freight
  • Air Freight & Air Charter Services
  • Land Transportation
  • Industrial Packing & Lashing
  • Multimodal Operations (Sea-Air, Sea-Land)
  • CFS
  • 3PL & 4PL
  • Projects, Oil & Energy
  • Relocations
  • Yacht & Marine Logistics

Ocean Freight & CFS

The Ocean Freight Management team of Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C. handles movement of cargo from any global origin/destination, be it LCL or FCL. With its own CFS and Supply Chain facilities, CSS’s Ocean Freight Management capabilities have been rated among the best in the region. As a leading NVOCC, CSS has been maintaining an excellent relationship with leading carriers, thereby ensuring competitive rates and services. It has got an impressive 1650 destinations on a weekly basis

Built within a sprawling area of 200,000 sq.ft. with 80,000 sq.ft. insured and located within the heart of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, CFS Centre today has become a landmark success for the CSS Group.

It is equipped with 4535 pallet positions and storage capacity of 10,000 CBM.

Projects Oil & Energy

Team CSS at Projects, Oil & Energy division, is a proven success in the Middle East. Providing  end to end solutions in projects management, the company is seen as an expert in the global energy business.

By successfully handling some of the key accounts in the Middle East the Projects, Oil and Energy team has proven themselves as being the undisputed leader in the area of specialization they have. Our HSE policy provides a safe place for our employees and business associates, to avoid hazards and ensure zero incidents.


  • Manage every aspect of logistics during the projects’ life span
  • Management strictly defined by complexity of cargoes
  • Dedicated hands on projects / contract co-ordination
  • Optimal combination of liner services and part / full charters to meet project /contract needs
  • Detailed and accurate documentation with updated status report

CSS Homeward Bound

When it comes to moving one’s home or office, the enormity of the task is sure to set in. The hassle attached with packing precious belongings safely and moving them without damage to the new location is best to be left to the professionals. CSS Homeward bound steps in and clears away the fears and gracefully carries out the task in hand.

CSS personal effects division was set up to meet the ever growing demand for relocation among the expatriate community. The wide rage of service offered include, Worldwide packing and moving of personal effects.

CSS Homeward bound is a member of the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), International Association of Movers (IAM) and Asian Relocation Association (ARA).



  • Worldwide packing and moving of personal effects
  • Local and International removals (Homes and Offices)
  • Customs clearance and door to door services
  • Warehousing
  • Transportation
  • Comprehensive insurance

Yacht & Marine logistics

Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C, work hand in hand in Middle East with Peters & May, leaders of Yacht & Marine Logistics. Established in 1973 and headquartered in Southampton, UK, Peters & May has over 30 years experience in the provision of marine logistics and offers global boat transportation and freight forwarding via air, road, rail and sea from a global network of offices and exclusive agencies. The company ships 8000 vessels through more than 150 ports in over 60 countries and is the preferred shipper for many of the world’s leading boat builders, including Correct Craft Inc, Gulf Craft, Princess Yachts, Sunseeker and Viking Yacht Company.

CSS Group wishes you and your families a joyous Christmas and prosperous New Year 2011!

Origin
Self-made cards with goodwill verses have been sent by hand or by post, for centuries. The first that’s recognizable as what we now think of as a Christmas card, i.e. a printed card sent by post, was sent at Christmas 1843.

Sir Henry Cole, the founder of the London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, had sent many handwritten cards previously but that year he commissioned John Calcott Horsley to paint a card showing the feeding and clothing of the poor.

“A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You” was printed on the first Christmas card.

Since then the billions of cards that have been sent almost all contain a printed verse. Many of these are culled from religious or sentimental texts, notably from Victorian authors such as Charles Dickens.

Here’s a selection of the numerous verses and rhymes that have been used as source material by Christmas card writers – from the touching and profound to the comic and cynical:

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; 
It makes no noise at all, 
But softly gives itself away; 
While quite unselfish, it grows small. – Eva K. Logue

A Christmas gambol oft could cheer 
The poor man’s heart through half the year. – Walter Scott

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. – Henry Van Dyke

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our business in a most significant way. We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the year to come. We wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity.

At Christmas play and make good cheer, 
For Christmas comes but once a year – Thomas Tusser

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; 
Teach us to be patient and always to be kind. – Helen Steiner Rice

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! – Hamilton Wright Mabie

Christmas – that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance – a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.  – Augusta E. Rundel


Christmas … is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart. – Freya Stark

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart… filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever. – Bess Streeter Aldrich

Christmas is a race to see which gives out first – your money or your feet.

Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered. What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day. – Phyllis Diller

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. – Richard Lamm

Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home. – Carol Nelson

Christmas is for children. But it is for grown-ups too. Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts. – Lenora Mattingly Weber

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. – Calvin Coolidge

SOORYAKIREEDAM

On 22nd October 2010 Friends Association organized a Mega Musical Event ‘Sooryakireedom’ at Al-Nasr Leisureland Ice-Rink, Dubai and CSS Group was proud to be part of this event as one of the main sponsors.  This event was dedicated to the legendary lyricist of the Malayalam film industry, Late Girish Puthenchery by organizing a Gala Musical Concert led by Padmashree K.S. Chitra, Madhu Balakrishnan, present day sensations viz., Vidhu Pratap & Jyotsna. This programme was anchored by none other than Jayaraj Warier.

Friends Association was formed in Sept 2004 and is a non-profitable and non political organization.  The association presently consists of over 60 families without any distinction to cast or creed, with a representation from all districts of Kerala.  Today this group has grown into an association providing a wide range of services to its members and society. The members are mainly engaged with charitable actions towards less fortunate expatriate community. They are the active ambassadors of Indian art and culture for the global community.

CSS Group along with other sponsors were felicitated by the Association at the function and we consider it as a privilege to be part of this event .

NoSStalgia 2010

NSS College of Engineering Palakkad Alumni UAE chapter, an informal group of over 700 Engineers who are working with reputed organizations, hosted their 15th annual family get together on 3rd December 2010 at Indian Social Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Alumni UAE chapter has been active since 1996 promoting goodwill and mutual assistance among members, encouraging the current students in their educational endeavors. The colorful event had scintillating performances from the talented alumni and their family members such as Film songs, ‘Kol-Kali’, ‘Thiruvathira’ and dance performances.

CSS Abu Dhabi sponsored the event once again showcasing CSS Groups’ ongoing CSR initiatives supporting organizations which play a pivotal role in the South Asian education sector.

The CSR event was attenended by Deepu, Marketing Coordinator, CSS Dubai, Rajneesh, Sales Executive, CSS Abu Dhabi and Suku Sudhakaran, AGM, CSS Abu Dhabi.