Author: Cargo Insights

Tesla’s India entry and U.S.-India trade relations in focus. The United States is urging India to eliminate tariffs on imported cars as part of an upcoming trade agreement, but India remains hesitant to bring duties down to zero immediately, according to reports from Reuters. However, India is open to gradual reductions in tariffs, which currently reach as high as 110%. The high auto tariffs are expected to be a key topic in upcoming trade negotiations, with U.S. carmakers—including Tesla—standing to benefit. Elon Musk has previously called India’s tariffs among the highest in the world and had delayed Tesla’s India entry…

Focus on commercial and naval shipbuilding as part of defense strategy President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a White House Shipbuilding Office aimed at revitalising America’s commercial and naval shipbuilding industry. Speaking before Congress, Trump emphasised the need to rebuild the nation’s defense industrial base and restore ship production through special tax incentives to bring the industry back to the U.S. “We used to make so many ships,” Trump stated. “We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon.” While details on financial incentives remain unclear, the initiative comes amid…

India aims to streamline airport screening to boost global competitiveness. India is working on easing immigration and cargo screening rules at airports to enhance efficiency and make them globally competitive. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated discussions with the Home Ministry to eliminate rescreening for international passengers and transshipment cargo. Currently, travelers on international layovers in India must complete immigration checks at transit airports, causing delays. The government is considering a policy change allowing immigration procedures at the first or final destination instead of intermediary airports. Similarly, cargo transshipment rules require security checks at multiple points, extending turnaround times.…

President to inaugurate national conference on March 8 at Vigyan Bhawan. The Government of India will mark International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, with a national conference at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD). The conference, themed “Nari Shakti Se Viksit Bharat,” will be inaugurated by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, alongside key ministers and dignitaries. A #SheBuildsBharat campaign will run parallel to the event. The conference will feature a high-level panel discussion following the inaugural session, with three technical sessions focusing on women’s leadership in STEM, business, sports, media, and governance.…

 India plans to boost textile exports to the US as trade talks intensify, despite new reciprocal tariffs by the US government. India is strategising to expand its textile exports to the US, with the textile ministry set to convene industry stakeholders to discuss manufacturing growth under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The government is encouraging the domestic textile sector to enhance production, leveraging high-quality Kasturi cotton for premium exports. Industry estimates suggest a potential 10-15% rise in apparel exports for FY26. The move comes as global trade dynamics shift, with the US imposing an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports, opening…

Mahindra Logistics to invest ₹35 crore in subsidiary MESPL through a rights issue, maintaining full ownership. Mahindra Logistics has approved an investment of up to ₹35 crore in its wholly-owned subsidiary, MLL Express Services (MESPL). The investment will be made through a rights issue, with the company subscribing to up to 3.5 crore equity shares of ₹10 each at par. The entire amount will be payable in cash upon application. This move reinforces Mahindra Logistics’ commitment to strengthening MESPL’s operations while ensuring no dilution in ownership. Despite the fresh infusion, MESPL will continue to remain a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary. The…

Skye Air Mobility pioneers gender inclusion with India’s first all-women drone delivery team, redefining leadership in logistics. In a landmark move for gender inclusivity, Skye Air Mobility has launched India’s first all-women drone delivery team, marking a historic shift in the logistics sector. As a prelude to International Women’s Day, a special demonstration in Gurugram saw 10 women drone pilots successfully executing end-to-end deliveries of essential goods, setting a world-first milestone in female-led drone logistics. With the drone industry expanding rapidly, Skye Air Mobility is committed to training 500 women pilots over the next two years, aligning with government initiatives…

 Govt clears ropeways from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib, and Sonprayag to Kedarnath, enhancing pilgrim access and connectivity. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana. These projects aim to improve accessibility for pilgrims and boost tourism. A 12.4 km ropeway from Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib will be developed at a cost of ₹2,730.13 crore. It will use Monocable Detachable Gondola (MDG) and Tricable Detachable Gondola (3S) technologies, carrying up to 11,000 passengers daily. Another ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, spanning 12.9 km, will…

India’s latest budget focuses on education, skills, and innovation, setting a strong foundation for employment and economic growth. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a post-budget webinar, emphasising investment in people, economy, and innovation as key drivers of India’s growth. He stated that this year’s Union Budget prioritises education, skill development, and healthcare, recognising them as critical pillars for national progress. Highlighting the transformation in India’s education sector, Modi noted the expansion of IITs, the National Education Policy, and AI integration. He announced the creation of 10,000 medical seats and plans for 75,000 more in the next five years. The…

Addressing post-budget webinars, Shri Narendra Modi emphasised MSMEs’ role in economic growth and India’s commitment to reforms. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed post-budget webinars, focusing on manufacturing, exports, and regulatory reforms. Highlighting India’s decade-long commitment to financial discipline and transparency, he assured continued support for the industry. Modi emphasised the importance of stable policies and a better business environment, citing reduced compliances and simplified tax provisions. He urged the manufacturing sector to capitalise on global economic partnerships and called for innovation through research and development. Stressing MSMEs as the backbone of India’s economy, he announced expanded loan guarantees and…

Ekart collaborates with IKEA to optimise last-mile deliveries, ensuring faster, eco-friendly fulfillment across North India. Ekart has partnered with IKEA to streamline last-mile deliveries for its home furnishings segment in North India. This collaboration will enable faster doorstep fulfillment of orders placed through IKEA’s online platform, leveraging Ekart’s advanced logistics network. Under the partnership, Ekart will manage large parcel deliveries across IKEA’s extensive catalog of over 7,000 products, including furniture and home essentials. The company’s logistics capabilities will allow most orders to be fulfilled within 24 hours, maintaining an industry-leading 99%+ success rate for pre-paid shipments. Deliveries will be facilitated…

 ECU Worldwide launches XLERATE 2.0, adding 10 US locations and introducing a single-rate structure for key Chinese ports. ECU Worldwide, a subsidiary of Allcargo Logistics, has unveiled XLERATE 2.0, enhancing its Less-than-Container Load (LCL) services between China and the United States. The upgraded service ensures faster transit times with expanded inland distribution to 10 additional US locations. Shipments from major Chinese ports now reach Los Angeles via sea before being efficiently transported to new destinations, improving delivery speed and reliability. The expansion increases ECU Worldwide’s US network from 20 to 30 key locations, including Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver,…