FFFAI 25th Biennial Convention held four insightful Sessions on Logistics
GOA : The 25th Biennial Convention of the FFFAI – FEDERATION OF FREIGHT FORWARDERS’ ASSOCIATIONS IN INDIA officially commenced on May 29, 2025, in the vibrant state of Goa, setting the tone for three days of high-level discussions, networking, and collaboration within the logistics and freight forwarding industry, held four insightful Sessions on the Day 2, 30th May 2025.
Session – 1 : Vision 2047 – Unleashing India’s Potential Towards Viksit Bharat
The opening session of the FFFAI Convention in Goa set the tone with a powerful theme: “Vision 2047 – Unleashing India’s Potential Towards Viksit Bharat”. Moderated by industry veteran Shri Shantanu Bhadkamkar , the session brought together thought leaders who shared insights into India’s transformative journey in logistics and infrastructure.
Mr. Unmesh Sharad Wagh Chairman, JNPA- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority highlighted key initiatives at JNPA, including solutions for empty container management, progress on Vadhavan Port, the One Nation – One Port framework, and strategic advantages of Chabahar Port and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
Dr. Sudhir Kohakade, DDG Shipping, outlined the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, benchmarking India’s transport and logistics sector against global standards, and emphasized the critical role of DG Shipping in driving reforms and connectivity.
Dr. Sudhanshu Mani, the visionary behind Vande Bharat, inspired the audience with insights on innovation and Make-in-India success.
Mr. Turgut Erkeskin Erkeskin, President of FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations drew a vivid analogy between the Kumbh Mela and the freight forwarding industry—both being dynamic confluences. He urged global adoption of the FIATA Digital Bill of Lading, pushing the industry towards digital transformation.
Mr. G. Sambasiva Rao, Vice Chairman, FFFAI, concluded the session with a comprehensive summary, reinforcing the commitment to a unified vision for India’s logistics future.
Session 2: Opportunities in the Geo-Political Landscape & Enhancing Strategic Partnerships
The second session of the FFFAI 25th Biennial Convention brought into focus the evolving geo-political landscape and the critical need for strategic global partnerships in the logistics and trade ecosystem.
Moderated by Mr. Samir J Shah , Advisor, FFFAI, the session featured a distinguished panel:
Mr. Niraj Ambani, Group President, Reliance Industries Limited , highlighted the power of strategic partnerships in unlocking the potential of Indian logistics. He emphasized how geopolitics is shaping trade priorities, and how FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) will be instrumental in accelerating global commerce.
Mr. Mikhail Goncharov, Secretary General, CCTT, presented insights on the India–Russia cargo corridor, growth of the global container market, and emerging opportunities in sea trade between the two nations.
Mr. Denis Bandura MD, BBC Chartering offered a global perspective on chartering logistics and evolving maritime dynamics.
Dr. Pritam Banerjee Head – WTO Studies, Ministry of Commerce, delved into the impact of trade policies and international agreements on India’s logistics future.
A special highlight of the session was a virtual address by Prof. Edward Kieswetter Chairperson, WCO Council, who reinforced the importance of customs collaboration and global trade alignment in an increasingly interconnected world.
The session offered deep insights into how policy, partnerships, and geopolitics are reshaping global supply chains and India’s role within them.
Session 3: Infrastructure Fueling India’s Logistics Growth
The third session of the FFFAI 25th Biennial Convention focused on how robust infrastructure is the engine driving India’s logistics transformation. Moderated by Mr. Haresh Lalwani , the session brought together leaders across government, Maritime, Aircargo, and Multimodal Logistics.
Mr. Sagar Kadu , Director – Logistics, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce, presented the government’s integrated vision to position India as a global logistics hub, underlining the significance of the PM Gati Shakti initiative and the National Logistics Policy in enabling seamless infrastructure development and reducing logistics costs.
Dr. Dr Ennarasu Karunesan, PhD (Maritime) , Regional Director, International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), praised FFFAI as a “game changer” in the global logistics ecosystem. He emphasized the critical role of collaborative port strategies, sustainability, and aligning Indian port development with global benchmarks.
Captain B V J K Sharma , CEO, Adani Noida International Airport, shared insights into the development of new-age greenfield airports, highlighting their role in building a multimodal logistics ecosystem and enabling faster, more efficient cargo movement across borders.
Mr. Aniruddha Lele CEO, NSFT, spoke on the integration of rail and terminal infrastructure with smart technology and automation, which will be vital in managing increasing cargo volumes and improving service reliability.
The session concluded with a shared vision: Integrated, intelligent infrastructure is the cornerstone of India’s journey towards a world-class logistics network.
Session 4: “In Data We Trust” – Unleashing the Power of Digital Intelligence in Logistics
The final session of Day 1 ended on a high-tech note, diving deep into the world of data, digital intelligence, and innovation. Moderated by Mr. Tej Contractor, the session was a compelling showcase of how the future of logistics is being reshaped by smart technologies.
The session opened with Mr. Jayendran Venkateswaran, Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay , who provided a powerful foundation on digitalintelligence and its role in optimizing logistics operations and decision-making.
Next, leading tech experts offered insights into the digital transformation underway:
Mr. Parvinder Singh, MD, Team Hans Infomatic, emphasized the critical importance of data security in logistics systems, highlighting the need for resilient and secure digital infrastructure.
Mr. Vineet Malhotra, CMD, Kale Logistics Solutions, advocated for a connected data ecosystem, where seamless information sharing can eliminate delays, reduce costs, and bring real-time transparency.
Mr. Kunal Maheshwari, CGO, Softlink Global, introduced BoxyAI, their AI-powered solution that makes data “talk”—helping logistics professionals make faster, smarter decisions through actionable insights.
The session concluded with Ms. Meera Kumar , FICS, CEO, DIABOS Global FZE, who underlined the strategic importance of data analytics in enhancing efficiency, especially in the maritime domain.
Key Message: In logistics, data isn’t just supportive—it’s transformative. With digital intelligence, the supply chain isn’t just connected—it’s conscious.
