India Emerges as a Rising Powerhouse for Data Centres & Chip Manufacturing

Amid rising global trade tensions and a slowdown in cross-border investments, India is carving out a critical role in the global tech and logistics landscape — fast becoming a key hub for data centre infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing, according to the latest Moody’s Analytics report, AI Is Beating the Odds.
The report reveals a surprising trend: despite macroeconomic uncertainties, capital investment in AI-related infrastructure is not just holding steady — it’s accelerating. This growth is primarily driven by the need to bridge the widening gap between exploding AI demand and the limited global supply chain capacity.

Key Highlights from Moody’s Report:

Logistics & Industrial Impact:

The Bigger Picture:

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, nations that can support the physical backbone — data infrastructure, chip production, and supply chain logistics — are quickly rising to prominence. India’s positioning at this intersection of tech and logistics puts it on track to become a global hub for digital infrastructure in the coming decade.

Indian Toy Standards Surpass Global Norms, Driving Export Growth: BIS

India’s toy industry is gaining international recognition—not just for creativity, but for quality. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s toy manufacturing standards now exceed global norms, helping domestic players expand into international markets with confidence.

The BIS has aligned its safety frameworks with global standards from the ISO and IEC, covering a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and electrical safety requirements. These standards are backed by the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, enforced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) since January 1, 2021.

Why It Matters:

Industry Voices:

“Our standards address Indian conditions—humidity, temperature, and user patterns—which global benchmarks often miss. This gives us a competitive advantage,” said Mr. Adbhut Singh, Scientist E and Director at BIS’s Western Regional Office Laboratory (WROL), Mumbai.
“BIS certification pushed us to innovate. We now produce over 1 lakh toys a month and grew to ₹25 crore (US$2.9M) in FY25,” shared Mr. Moiz Gabajiwala, CEO, Zephyr Toymakers Pvt Ltd, who aims for 20% growth in FY26.

Safety First:

Support for MSMEs:

The Big Picture:

With BIS playing a proactive role in quality assurance and compliance, India is not just protecting its children—it’s building a globally competitive, self-reliant toy manufacturing ecosystem. This transformation is a powerful example of how smart regulation and innovation can turn a domestic industry into an export engine.

India’s Exports Surge Ahead: Fastest-Growing Among Major Economies, Says UNCTAD

India’s export story continues to shine on the global stage. According to the UNCTAD Key Statistics and Trends in International Trade 2024, India recorded the highest export growth rate among major economies from 2010 to 2023—an impressive 6.3% increase in its share of global exports.
This strong performance underscores the resilience and adaptability of India’s trade ecosystem, powered by its robust policy framework, export diversification, and expanding role in global value chains.
“India’s consistent export growth reflects the dynamism of its trade sector and the success of strategic initiatives in manufacturing and services,” a government official said.

Key Highlights at a Glance:

Growth fueled by:

What This Means for Indian Logistics & Trade:

India’s steady rise in export rankings is a positive signal for freight forwarders, NVOCCs, port operators, and global buyers. With policy support and improving infrastructure, India is poised to become an even more influential trade hub in the coming decade.

India’s Largest Auto-Focused Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Inaugurated at Maruti Suzuki, Manesar

In a landmark boost to India’s logistics and multimodal transport infrastructure, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & IT, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the country’s largest automobile-focused Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal at Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Manesar facility.
This cutting-edge cargo terminal is a strategic development under the Government of India’s PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan, aimed at revolutionizing India’s logistics network by promoting faster, more efficient, and seamless freight movement.

Why This Terminal Matters

The Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal is not just another logistics node — it’s a pivotal link that redefines how automobiles move across the country. Key facts:

Railway Performance Soars

At the inauguration, Mr. Vaishnaw also shared performance highlights of Indian Railways:
“In FY 2023–24, Indian Railways moved 720 crore passengers and 1,617 million tonnes of freight, making us the second-largest rail freight mover in the world,” the minister noted.
This historic freight performance reflects the growing emphasis on rail-based logistics — not only for reducing carbon emissions and road congestion but also for cutting end-to-end delivery times.

Key Takeaways

India–UAE CEPA Doubles Bilateral Trade in Just Three Years

The India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on February 18, 2022 and enforced from May 1, 2022, has emerged as a strategic game-changer in India’s global trade policy.
In just three years, bilateral trade between the two nations has doubled, reaffirming the CEPA as one of India’s most impactful free trade agreements to date — and a blueprint for future economic partnerships in the Middle East and beyond.

Why It Matters for Trade & Logistics:

Strategic Takeaway:

The CEPA is more than a trade agreement — it’s a catalyst for regional integration, global supply chain diversification, and economic diplomacy. For logistics professionals, it opens up new corridors of opportunity and efficiency, particularly in cross-border freight, port partnerships, and trade facilitation tech.

Cargo Handling at Major Indian Ports Rises 4.3% in FY25 — Driven by Containers, POL & Fertilisers

India’s maritime sector continues to show strong momentum. In Fiscal Year 2024–25, the country’s 12 major ports handled a total of 855 million tonnes of cargo — marking a 4.3% year-on-year increase, according to data released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
This uptick reflects the resilience of India’s port infrastructure and the growing role of multimodal logistics in driving trade efficiency.

Key Highlights:

Commodities Snapshot (FY25):

Commodity

Volume (MT)

Share (%)

POL

254.5

29.80%

Container Traffic

193.5

22.60%

Coal

186.6

21.80%

Others (Iron Ore, Pellets, etc.)

Remaining

21.80%

India’s 12 major ports, governed under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, include a strategic mix of west coast, east coast, and southern maritime gateways. These are Deendayal Port, Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port, and Cochin Port on the western coast; VO Chidambaranar Port, Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, and Visakhapatnam Port on the eastern coastline; along with Paradip Port and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, which play critical roles in connecting eastern and northeastern India to global trade routes. Collectively, these ports form the backbone of India’s seaborne trade infrastructure.

Why It Matters:

India’s increasing cargo throughput reflects strong industrial activity, improved port infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity. With key ports expanding capacity and attracting private capital, India is positioning itself as a major global trade and logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific region.

Big Names Line Up for Tuna Tekra Port Project: Adani, Vedanta, Essar in the Race

India’s port infrastructure is heating up — and the latest battlefront is Tuna Tekra, Gujarat.
Top players like Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, Vedanta Ltd, Essar Ports Ltd, and Gautam Freight Pvt Ltd have submitted initial bids for developing a multipurpose cargo berth at Tuna, Deendayal Port Authority’s key satellite facility.
This ₹1,552.57 crore (₹15.5 billion) project will boost India’s cargo handling capacity by 18.33 million tonnes annually, excluding containers and liquid cargo.
In a bid to secure the project, bidders are competing on the highest royalty per tonne of cargo handled, making this the port authority’s third attempt to attract private investment for this crucial berth.
Once completed, this modern terminal will accommodate large vessels of up to 100,000 DWT with 15m draft, handle diverse dry cargo — from food grains to steel — and ease the pressure on Deendayal Port’s already stretched dry cargo handling facilities.

Key Features & Project Highlights:

Infrastructure Commitments for Successful Bidder:

Dredging Responsibilities:

Additional Approvals:

Why This Matters:

Deendayal Port is the gateway for Northern India’s vast land-locked states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. This project is critical to reduce congestion and meet the growing demand for dry bulk handling.

India’s Services Sector Hits 3-Month High in May, But Manufacturing Loses Steam

India’s services sector saw its fastest growth in three months this May, thanks to robust export demand and record employment gains, keeping the economy’s expansion momentum alive.

Key Highlights:

The HSBC India Services PMI (seasonally adjusted) rose to 58.8 in May, up from 58.7 in April — well above the 50-mark, signaling sustained sector expansion.
Companies ramped up hiring at the fastest pace on record to meet rising demand and export orders.
Strong overseas demand remains a critical growth engine for India’s services industry.
Both input costs and output charges climbed above historical averages, hinting at inflationary pressures.
RBI expects 6.5% GDP growth this fiscal, supported by rural demand, public investments, and services exports.

Manufacturing Sector Shows Signs of Cooling:

Logistics & Freight Takeaway:

India Commits USD 20 Billion to Transform Maritime & Multimodal Logistics: Key Highlights from Nor-Shipping 2025

India has stepped up its game in the global maritime landscape, committing a whopping USD 20 billion to fast-track infrastructure development, multimodal logistics, and trade facilitation. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, made this landmark announcement during his keynote speech at the India@Nor-Shipping Country Session in Oslo.

Why This Matters:

India is not just upgrading its ports—it’s reshaping the future of maritime connectivity, sustainability, and global trade influence.

Top Highlights from the Minister’s Address:

Massive Investment Push:

Strengthening Global Maritime Corridors:

India’s Shipbuilding Ambition:

Green Maritime Future:

Digital Maritime Ecosystem:

Sustainable Ship Recycling:

Innovative Maritime Financing:

India’s Bold Vision:

“India’s maritime journey is not just about growth—it’s about creating a resilient, green, tech-enabled and globally competitive ecosystem. We are paving the way for India to become a maritime powerhouse, shaping the future of global shipping and trade,” — Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal

Why the Industry Should Watch This:

India’s Palm Oil Imports Surge 87% in May — Biggest Jump in Six Months!

India’s demand for palm oil roared back to life in May 2025, with imports skyrocketing 87% compared to April, hitting 600,000 metric tons — the highest monthly volume since November 2024.
The reason? Lower inventories at home and palm oil’s newly regained price edge over soy and sunflower oils,prompting Indian refiners to ramp up their buying sharply.
This surge could have ripple effects beyond India — possibly boosting Malaysian palm oil prices and supporting U.S. soy oil futures, say market watchers.

Why the Sudden Spike?

“Palm oil’s discount changed everything — buyers have switched back fast,” says Rajesh Patel of GGN Research.

Other Edible Oil Movements

Combined, these lifted India’s total edible oil imports by 37% to 1.18 million tons in May — the highest volume since December 2024.

Key Highlights at a Glance

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