WEEKLY NEWS FROM SEA TO SKY


arriving at ports to be pre-cleared before moving onward to an airport. Data sharing also supports planning for specialised cargo handling, such as dangerous goods, perishables, or


temperature-sensitive


consignments, allowing handlers to allocate resources efficiently. The


technical coordination alignment between capability and to


exchange data is largely available, but


process stakeholders BY Edward HARDY


India’s logistics sector is accelerating efforts to connect ports, airports, and inland transport through shared data systems, as policymakers and operators look to shift more cargo through multimodal corridors. Cargo flows remain dominated by maritime transport, but rising


demand for faster time-to-market is increasing interest in hybrid routing models. Forwarders have long arranged sea-air connections independently, but industry representatives say greater scale will only come when airports and ports create integrated digital processes and consistent data exchange frameworks. Multimodal connectivity initiatives currently vary by region, with


several Indian ports and airports are testing community platforms to share truck appointment data, cargo status updates, and customs documentation. The aim is to reduce repetitive checks and allow cargo


remain uneven. “It is not a technology challenge as such, but a challenge of sitting together and getting it done,” Amar More, Chief Executive Officer of Kale Logistics Solutions, said. “Ports and airports need to define which data needs to move between sea and air, and regulators need to trust that data.”


Operational benefits are central to the case for multimodal links.


Faster processing increases airfreight throughput, while ports gain new traffic that would otherwise move solely by air. “80 percent of global trade is maritime, and three percent is air,” More said. “Even diverting one percent of maritime cargo can lift air cargo volumes significantly.” Sustainability considerations are also influencing project design.


Digital truck appointment systems and advanced documentation reduce waiting times and idle fuel consumption. Reducing average truck queues by one to two hours can eliminate hundreds of millions of grams of CO2 emissions annually at a single major gateway. “When you have platforms where paperwork is done in advance, the


time spent at the airport or port is eliminated,” he explained. “Truck scheduling ensures resources are prepared, cargo is handled efficiently, and congestion is reduced.”


AIR CARG O WEEK


Adoption, standardisation, and risk management A key question for the Indian market is how quickly smaller operators can adopt digital processes. Many trucking companies and small forwarders operate on narrow margins and lack the capital for major software investments. Providers are increasingly offering subscription- based systems priced per shipment to enable adoption without upfront infrastructure costs. These platforms allow smaller operators to manage appointments, compliance documentation, and tracking through cloud-based interfaces, bridging the technology gap between large and small stakeholders. Smaller companies should prioritise compliance and operational


efficiency tools. “Compliance is for survival, and operational efficiency allows companies to do more with the same assets,” More noted. Standardisation efforts remain gradual. The move toward common


data models, including initiatives aligned with global air cargo standards, is intended to streamline integration work and reduce the cost of building interoperable systems. “Standardisation enables adoption, but technology shifts quickly,” More said. “Some degree of standard protocols still makes implementation easier, but it cannot be the only focus. Industry participants must also be agile to keep up with rapid technological changes.” Advanced cybersecurity


frameworks are increasingly


integrated


into logistics platforms. These approaches embed security into code development, monitor network activity, and trigger automated alerts if suspicious behaviour is detected. Proactive monitoring, employee training, and insurance coverage combine to mitigate risks while enabling operators to move forward with digital adoption. Cybersecurity concerns continue to shape digitalisation decisions.


Recent disruptions to airport and airline systems have heightened awareness of potential risks. Industry vendors recommend cloud-based environments with multi-layer security architecture and continuous monitoring rather than private local servers. “If data is compromised on paper, you may not even know,” More said. “With cloud-based systems, there are defined security layers and rapid response mechanisms.”


14


ACW 09 FEBRUARY 2026


www.aircargoweek.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18