President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to reclaim U.S. control over the Panama Canal raises concerns about potential supply chain disruptions. The Panama Canal, crucial for global trade, facilitates 4% of the world’s goods and is vital for U.S. commerce.

India Secures $350 Million Loan from ADB News: India signed a $350 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the SMILE program to enhance multimodal logistics and boost manufacturing. The policy-based loan aims to strengthen supply chain resilience, improve logistics efficiency, and incentivize private sector investment.  It will establish a robust policy…

International air cargo operations are resuming at Vizag Airport, managed by the Andhra Pradesh Trade Promotion Corporation (APTPC). This development is set to benefit industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles, and seafood, which faced logistical challenges since the services ceased in 2019-2020, when the airport last handled 470 tonnes of international cargo. 

Navigating ESG regulations is now a top priority as businesses face risks related to wage compliance, waste management, and supply chain transparency. Audrey Clavedon, Head of ESG Leadership at Sedex, highlights the rising impact of frameworks like the Taskforce for Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) and the EU Green Deal, which push for deeper sustainability commitments. 

Transportation prices surged to a two-year high in December, according to the Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI). The index rose to 66.8, up 3 percentage points from November, marking the highest growth rate since April 2022. Strong consumer demand and record e-commerce deliveries were key factors driving the increase.

A historic winter storm in the US has caused significant disruptions, impacting logistics and supply chains. Over 1,000 flights have been grounded, and 3,000 delayed, severely affecting passenger travel and air cargo at major Midwest hubs like St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Trucks and employees are immobilized, causing delays in time-sensitive goods and just-in-time inventory…

Institutional investments in Indian real estate reached USD 6.5 billion in 2024, a 22% year-on-year growth and the highest in five years, driven by strong domestic demand and international interest. The industrial and warehousing sector led with USD 2.5 billion, a 190% increase from 2023, accounting for 39% of total inflows, surpassing the office segment…

The Logistics Division of the Ministry of Commerce has urged States and Union Territories (UTs) to develop state-specific logistics policies to drive economic growth and enhance India’s global competitiveness. A recent report emphasized addressing regional challenges through tailored policies with clear implementation timelines….

Donald Trump’s election has put US companies and their India investments in a “wait and watch” mode, pausing large-scale investments due to policy uncertainty. Many companies await clarity on Trump’s post-inauguration policies, with some anticipating a shift favoring India over China.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi launched ‘Anna Chakra,’ a supply chain optimization tool for the Public Distribution System (PDS), developed with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi. The tool uses advanced algorithms to streamline foodgrain logistics for 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6,700 warehouses, benefiting 81 crore people….

India formalized its commitment to the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in November 2023, effective February 2024. Covering 14 nations representing 40% of global GDP, the pact strengthens supply chains critical to national security and economic stability. 

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited German companies to invest in India, emphasizing its political and economic stability. Speaking at the TV9 Global Summit in Stuttgart, he highlighted India’s steady 6-8% growth rate, vast talent pool, and 1,800+ global capability centers.