Special Webcast: 10.30 AM Indian Standard Time, Thursday 11th February 2010

The state of logistics has been severely impacted with the changes brought about by the global financial crisis. Unpredictable demand is one of the most difficult challenges in these new times. What are some of the other trends evident in the logistics area? And what strategies should be utilised for success?

Trade procedures, transport and telecommunications infrastructure, and the domestic market for support services, constitute the logistic environment in a country and play a crucial role in trade facilitation.

The Third Party Logistics Market is valued at INR 78 bn in 2008; Estimated to reach INR 172 bn in 2012. The market comprises of two segments Asset-based 3PLs and Non-asset based 3PLs.

The logistics industry, estimated at $20 billion, is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 15% over the next few years. Driven primarily by outsourcing, the industry will witness a paradigm shift in warehousing as well as third-party logistics (3PL).

Aqua Logistics Ltd extended the offer period for its initial public offering (IPO) to 2 February and lowered the price band for the shares to Rs200-225, according to a statement on the National Stock Exchange.

Shreyas Shipping & Logistics Ltd has announced the financial results for the quarter ended on 31-December-2009. The Net Sales was at Rs.21.89 crores for quarter ended on 31-December-2009 against Rs.39.24 crores for the quarter ended on 31-December-2008.

Lack of co-operation from most of the states may hinder the Railways’ plan to set up logistics parks along the dedicated freight corridor (DFC) and the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.

India and China were the top two over-performers among developing economies in terms of improved logistics performance despite lower levels of per capita income, says a World Bank Group survey on international trade logistics.

Punjab has become the first state in the country to setup Aviation Maintenance; Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub at Rupnagar. Besides, a new Green field International Airport (Aerotropolis) near Ludhiana would come up in an area covering 3000 acres and would be the first green-field international airport in north India to be set-up in the private sector.

Private equity firms are expected to steadily increase their investment in the U.S. logistics services industry from 2010 as the freight business shows signs of stabilizing and the industry prepares for a wave of consolidation.