You have completed one year in office as CMD. How do you reflect on the past year and what are the significant milestones during this period?
CONCOR is now more customer-centric than ever before. In the past one year, wehave enhanced our focus on providing seamless end-to-end services to customers using IT as enabler. Several key initiatives have been launched in this directionsuch as online booking of EXIM containers, launch of e forwarding note, AI-based Terminal Management system, mobile app for first/last mile services, online processing of Central PDA requests, etc.
Further, we are now also investing in environmentfriendly technology such as deployment of LNG-powered trailers, setting up of first in house LNG station, trial with EVs/ e-RST, etc. 130 LNG powered trailers have already been deployed and around 200 more will be procured soon. In the last one year, we have connected our flagship MMLP at Dadri to Western DFC and timetabled double stack trains are now running from MMLP Dadri to Gateway Ports on Western coast bringing down transit time as well as overall logistics costs for the customers. Another MMLP at Vernama (near Vadodara) has also been made ready to handle double stack trains on Western DFC thereby providing a crucial link for JNPT with northern hinterland.
At CONCOR, how is the volume growth this quarter – both in domestic and exim?
In first half of current financial year 2024-25, combined volumes of our EXIM and Domestic throughput have increased by around 6 per cent over same period last year.
The EXIM volumes were greatly impacted by various geo-political factors in the initial part of the year. At the same time, demand in Domestic segment has witnessed remarkable spurt mainly backed by sustained momentum in manufacturing sector in India.
What is your outlook for container growth for 2025? Do you see exports growing?
We are expecting good growth in transportation of containerized cargo in 2025. With ‘Make In India’ gaining traction, we expect exports to achieve quantum growth in the coming year.
Already, some commodities like yarn, food items and readymade garments are witnessing double digit growth in exports and this is likely to continue in the coming year. With the likely commissioning of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor up to JNPT in 2025, the logistics sector will see a major boost in shifting of containerized cargo from road to rail. Overall, I see double digit growth of containerized cargo in 2025.
Going forward which are the new businesses and growth drivers for CONCOR?
Completion of Western DFC up to JNPT is going to be a major growth enabler in EXIM segment. We are already future-ready as our MMLP at Vernama near Vadodara has been connected to WDFC that will help in diverting JNPT’s EXIM cargo from road to rail as it will bring down transit time and overall logistics costs for the customers.
Further. we are expanding our first/last mile network. Customers are enthusiastic to use our services especially with LNG-powered vehicles as MNCs quite conscious of fulfilling ESG norms. Thus, we expect that our mobile app-based first/last mile service will help us in adding volumes.
In domestic segment, we are quite optimistic that with introduction of special purpose containers such as tank containers for bulk cement, we will be able to attract significant volume of traffic. Another area of focus is ‘specialised warehousing’.
We had floated an EoI for creation of customized warehousing solutions in PPP model which has evinced keen interest from several entities. Apart from this, we are going for long-term agreements with shipping lines and our corporate customers which shall further drive the volumes of CONCOR. DPD/DPE movements are also increasing and we expect this growth to sustain in the coming year for CONCOR.
Any new physical infrastructure is being planned in terms of terminals and MMLPs?
CONCOR is a ‘customer-centric’ organization and upgradation of our infrastructure and services to promote ease of doing business and enhance customer satisfaction, is a continual process. As such, while on one hand we are connecting existing MMLP to DFC (such as one at Vernama), we are setting up more MMLPs at strategically advantageous locations across the country such as in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, etc. At present, we are having terminals at 66 locations in the country, our plan is to increase this network to 80 locations in 3 years’ time. We are continuously upgrading our infrastructure to give best service to our customers.
At present, we have a fleet of around 380 rakes, we are continuously augmenting this fleet and hope to have around 500 rakes in 3 years’ time.
All our terminals are having state-of-the-art handling equipment’s and are well equipped with latest IT infrastructure. In a nutshell, CONCOR is well positioned with adequate infrastructure around the country to give best service to its customers.
CONCOR is planning to restart coastal operations which were discontinued earlier. What is the plan and how is it being operationalized?
We are keen on expanding our bouquet of services being offered to customers. Coastal shipping is one such option under active consideration. We entered in to MoU with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) for coastal operations and our teams are working together on various sectors to start this service on coastal stream very soon.
We are also evaluating an opportunity to enter overseas market. These plans are at drawing board stage and we shall share more details as we progress in our discussions with key stakeholders.
As part of green logistics solutions CONCOR has aggressively engaging LNG trucks for FM/LM operations. Any plans of deploying electric vehicles at your ICDs and MMLPs?
As a responsible Logistics service provider, CONCOR has taken lead in deploying largest fleet of 130 LNG trailers at various parts of the country-namely at Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Vadodara and Khatuwas and commissioning North India’s 1st in-house LNG station, at our MMLP at Khatuwas (Rajasthan) for uninterrupted supply of LNG fuel. Similar facility is planned at our MMLP Dadri. Based on experience gained at these locations, we shall extend the same at other Terminals of CONCOR. Further, we are conducting trials with EVs at ICD TKD and e-RST at our Dronagiri Terminal and we are studying feasibility of deployment of these products at our Terminals in near future.
AI is used by businesses for improved efficiency and enhanced customer service. How is CONCOR leveraging on these deep technologies and where are they used?
CONCOR is always at the fore-front of adopting cutting edge technology for enhancing customer experience and promoting ease of doing business. With this objective, we have already introduced AI-based terminal management system at our flagship terminal at ICD Tughlakabad. Here, AI has reduced the manual intervention and automated the gate, yard, train and warehouse operations for better cargo visibility and information dissemination to customers at various stages at terminal operations.
