By Ankur Tyagi, Business Head of Partex Aeromarine Logistics Pvt Ltd
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, is not just a market; it’s a phenomenon. As it marches confidently towards a $5 trillion economy, the engine powering this monumental growth is its logistics sector, a complex, dynamic, and rapidly evolving ecosystem. For global freight forwarders, India represents a landscape of unparalleled opportunity, but one that requires deep-seated knowledge to navigate successfully.
The old rules of engagement no longer apply. A new India is emerging, underpinned by ambitious government policies, a manufacturing renaissance, and a digital transformation that is rewriting the playbook for supply chain management.
To understand this seismic shift, we need more than just data; we need on-the-ground intelligence. This is where local expertise becomes the most valuable asset in your arsenal. We turn to Ankur, a seasoned expert from Partex Aeromarine, a key Bloc Logistics Network partner with a strategic presence across India’s vital commercial hubs, including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Tuticorin. He provides a masterclass on the challenges and, more importantly, the immense opportunities that await proactive freight forwarders.
“For many years, the world viewed Indian logistics through a lens of complexity and fragmentation,” Ankur begins. “That picture is changing at an incredible pace. We are witnessing a top-down, policy-driven revolution designed to create a unified, efficient, and cost-effective logistics network. For those who understand the nuances of this transformation, the potential for growth is simply staggering.”
The Twin Pillars of Transformation: PM Gati Shakti & The National Logistics Policy (NLP)
At the heart of India’s logistics overhaul are two landmark government initiatives: The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). These are not mere policy documents; they are a strategic blueprint for India’s future.
PM Gati Shakti is a technology-driven platform that brings 16 different ministries, including railways and roadways, together for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. It aims to break down inter-departmental silos and provide a holistic view of India’s infrastructure, ensuring that a new port is seamlessly connected by rail and road, or a new industrial park has the necessary power and gas lines planned from day one.
The NLP, launched in 2022, works in tandem with Gati Shakti. Its primary goals are ambitious and clear:
- Reduce the cost of logistics in India from the current 13-14% of GDP to a global benchmark of 8% by 2030.
- Improve India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index to be among the top 25 countries.
- Create an efficient, data-driven logistics ecosystem that drives competitiveness.
For freight forwarders, the impact is direct and profound. It means reduced transit times, improved multimodal connectivity, and greater predictability in the supply chain.
“PM Gati Shakti and the NLP are game-changers,” Ankur explains. “Previously, infrastructure development was often disconnected. A new highway might be built, but the last-mile connection to an industrial zone would be missing. Now, we are seeing a coordinated, technology-enabled approach. For our clients, this translates into faster cargo clearance, more reliable timelines, and the ability to design more efficient multimodal transport solutions, combining sea, air, rail, and road seamlessly. It’s moving the entire industry from being reactive to proactive.”
Fueling the Fire: ‘Make in India’ and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub, encapsulated in the ‘Make in India’ initiative, is now being supercharged by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. These schemes provide financial incentives to companies across 14 key sectors, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and textiles, to boost domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment.
The result? A surge in industrial activity that is fundamentally reshaping freight movement patterns. The demand is no longer just for importing finished goods for consumption. There is now a massive, two-way flow of raw materials, semi-finished goods, capital equipment, and, finally, finished products for export.
“The PLI schemes have created a paradigm shift,” notes Ankur. “We’re not just handling standard containerised cargo anymore. We are managing complex supply chains for some of the world’s biggest companies setting up manufacturing in India. This involves time-sensitive movement of high-value components for electronics assembly in hubs like Bangalore and Chennai, or project cargo for new factory setups. Our role has evolved from being a service provider to a strategic partner in our clients’ manufacturing and growth strategies in India.”
This manufacturing boom also means that the inland logistics network—connecting factories to ports and airports—is more critical than ever. This is where having a presence in multiple key locations becomes a distinct competitive advantage.
The Power of Place: Decoding India’s Diverse Regional Hubs
A common mistake is to view India as a single, monolithic market. In reality, it is a mosaic of diverse regional economies, each with its own unique industrial strengths, infrastructure, and logistical DNA. A successful India strategy requires a nuanced, region-specific approach. Partex Aeromarine’s footprint across the country’s key hubs is a testament to this principle.
“A one-size-fits-all approach to Indian logistics is destined to fail,” Ankur asserts. “The expertise required to clear an automotive shipment from the port of Chennai is vastly different from managing time-critical pharma air freight out of New Delhi or handling cross-border trade into Nepal via Kolkata. This is where on-the-ground presence and local knowledge are indispensable.”
Let’s break down the strategic importance of these locations:
- New Delhi & North India: As the national capital and a major consumption centre, the Delhi-NCR region is a critical air freight hub. It’s the nerve centre for electronics, high-end retail, and the distribution point for all of North India.
- Ahmedabad & West India: Located in the industrial powerhouse state of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is at the heart of India’s textile, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Its proximity to major ports like Mundra and Pipavav makes it a critical gateway for Western India’s import-export trade.
- Bangalore & South-Central India: The “Silicon Valley of India,” Bangalore is the epicentre of the country’s IT, biotechnology, and aerospace industries. This translates to a high volume of high-value, time-sensitive cargo, making air freight expertise paramount.
- Chennai & Tuticorin (South-East India): Chennai is the “Detroit of Asia,” a dominant force in the automotive manufacturing and export sector. The nearby port of Tuticorin is a strategic hub for trade with Southeast Asia and a key player in the textile and agricultural export market.
- Kolkata & East India: Kolkata serves as the logistical gateway to the entire Eastern and Northeastern region of India. Crucially, it is also the primary transit point for cargo moving to and from the landlocked neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan, requiring specialized knowledge of cross-border customs and transit protocols.
“Having our own teams in these diverse locations allows us to provide a seamless, integrated service,” Ankur adds. “We understand the local customs brokerage, the port and airport authorities, the road conditions, and the specific business culture of each region. This local intelligence is what de-risks the supply chain for our global partners and their clients.”
The Digital Spine: Embracing Technology for a Transparent Future
The final piece of the puzzle is digitalisation. India is rapidly building a digital backbone for its logistics sector. Platforms like the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) aim to consolidate information from all modes of transport onto a single portal, providing real-time visibility to all stakeholders. The ICEGATE portal for customs clearance is continually being upgraded for faster, more transparent processing.
Forward-thinking logistics providers are leveraging these government platforms and supplementing them with their own technology, including track-and-trace systems, AI-powered route optimization, and digital documentation.
“Technology is the great enabler. It brings trust and transparency to an industry that was once notoriously opaque,” says Ankur. “Our clients and partners in the Bloc Logistics Network expect nothing less. They want to know, in real-time, the status of their shipment, from the moment it lands at an Indian port or airport to its final delivery. By integrating with platforms like ULIP and investing in our own digital tools, we can provide that certainty and control, which is the new currency in global logistics.”
The Path Forward: Partnering for Success in the New India
India’s logistics journey is one of the most exciting growth stories in the world today. The convergence of visionary policy, a manufacturing surge, widespread infrastructure development, and digital innovation has created a fertile ground for growth.
However, the opportunities are directly proportional to the complexity. Navigating the customs regulations in New Delhi, the port operations in Chennai, and the specific demands of the tech industry in Bangalore requires more than a remote presence—it requires a partner who is deeply embedded in the local fabric.
Article by Ankur Tyagi
Business Head,
Partex Aeromarine Logistics Pvt Ltd, a member of Bloc Logistics Network
Partex Aeromarine Logistics Pvt Ltd is a trusted name in global cargo services. Renowned for operational excellence, the company delivers tailored logistics solutions across air, sea, road, and rail. With expertise in customs clearance, port handling, and warehousing, Partex is driven by continuous improvement and a commitment to reliability, ensuring quality service that meets and exceeds client expectations.
Bloc Logistics Network is a global platform that connects logistics professionals to share opportunities and collaborate without barriers. Bloc aims to level the playing field by creating an accessible, supportive environment where professionalism and collaboration drive real results. It serves as an ecosystem designed for mutual advancement, ensuring growth, efficiency, and success across the logistics industry.
