Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has appointed Pradeep Panicker as its President and Chief Executive Officer with effect from June 1, 2026.

Panicker takes over the role after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport from June 2020 to May 2026. During his tenure in Hyderabad, he led the airport through a period of growth and development across passenger, cargo and airport infrastructure operations.

Following Panicker's move to Delhi, Kadhir Kadhiravan assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport in May 2026.

Panicker brings more than two decades of experience within the GMR airport network and has been closely associated with the development and management of India's airport sector. Before becoming CEO of Hyderabad Airport, he served as Deputy CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport from January 2018 to June 2020.

Prior to his Hyderabad assignment, Panicker was Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (Aero & Property Development) at DIAL. In that role, he oversaw the airport's aerocommercial business, including airline marketing, air cargo operations, aero-related businesses and the management of land and commercial space at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

His association with the Delhi airport project dates back to its early stages. Panicker was part of the GMR-Fraport team that secured the bid for the modernisation and operation of Delhi's airport. He was involved in the project from 2004 and played a key role in the takeover and transition of Indira Gandhi International Airport from the Airports Authority of India in 2006.

Since May 2006, he has been part of the airport's leadership team, initially serving as Head of Strategic Process. He later moved into commercial leadership roles, contributing to the development of airline partnerships, cargo activities and airport business initiatives.

He was the founding President of Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI), a not-for-profit industry association established to provide a common platform for stakeholders across the air cargo ecosystem. The organisation works on issues related to innovation, process simplification, benchmarking, domestic cargo, trans-shipment and express logistics, bringing together companies from across the cargo and logistics value chain.

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has appointed Chen Lichtenstein as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of Eli Glickman on April 15, 2026. The appointment will take effect from July 1, 2026, when Lichtenstein will also join the company’s Board of Directors. The employment agreement between ZIM and Lichtenstein will be brought to shareholders for approval as required under Israeli Companies Law.

ZIM said Lichtenstein brings extensive management, business and financial experience across international markets, including leading complex global companies, managing growth processes, organisational change and integration, and working with boards, shareholders and global investment bodies.

From 2020 to 2023, Lichtenstein served as Chief Financial Officer at Syngenta Group, where he was also responsible for strategy, integration and productivity. The company said he played a key role in building the global group, which included Syngenta Seeds, Syngenta Crop Protection, ADAMA and the group’s operations in China, while leading steps aimed at growth, synergies, efficiency and debt management.

Before joining Syngenta Group, Lichtenstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ADAMA from 2014 to 2020. ZIM said he led the company through a period of growth, improved profitability and cash flow, integration with ChemChina’s operations and a listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Between 2013 and 2014, he also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of China National Agrochemical Corporation, ChemChina’s agrochemical division and parent company of Syngenta Group.

From 2006 to 2013, Lichtenstein served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Head of Global Operations and held several other positions at Makhteshim Agan Industries, where he oversaw activities including global operations, business development, integration in China, research and development, supply chain, purchasing and manufacturing. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior investment banking executive at Goldman Sachs in New York and London from 1999 to 2006, leading acquisition and financing transactions.

Lichtenstein currently serves on the Board of Directors of Teva Pharmaceuticals and chairs boards at international companies in environmental sciences and biotechnology, while also acting as a senior adviser to international investment entities. He holds joint doctoral degrees from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and School of Law, a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a law degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The appointment followed a search process conducted on behalf of ZIM’s Board of Directors with the participation of Chairman Yair Seroussi, Yoram Turbowicz and Yair Avidan.

Yair Seroussi, Chairman of the Board, said Lichtenstein’s international management experience, financial expertise and ability to lead complex organisations made him the right executive to lead ZIM. He also thanked Eli Glickman for his contribution to the company.

Lichtenstein said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the company and highlighted the importance of maintaining stability, strengthening performance and business capabilities, and continuing to create value for customers, employees, partners and shareholders.

India is facing longer transit times, higher freight costs and cargo movement disruptions as airlines continue operating cautiously around Middle East airspace and congestion affects shipping operations, while closer cooperation between India and the US could support new supply chain opportunities over the longer term, according to Dimerco’s June 2026 Asia Pacific Freight Report.

The report said recent discussions between India and the US on trade, energy security and maritime stability highlight growing alignment between the two countries amid ongoing Middle East tensions. Over time, this could strengthen India’s role as an alternative manufacturing and sourcing hub for companies looking to diversify supply chains beyond China. Dimerco said stronger trade ties, increased investment and wider logistics connectivity into India are expected to create new cargo flows across Asia Pacific supply chains.

At the same time, India’s logistics sector is facing operational pressure. Airlines continue operating cautiously around Middle East airspace, leading to longer transit times and higher air freight rates to Europe and the US. On the shipping side, severe congestion at Nhava Sheva Port is affecting cargo movement, with prolonged gate delays, trailer shortages, export rollovers and extended delivery timelines disrupting both imports and exports.

Across global shipping markets, Dimerco said fuel volatility, geopolitical risks and operational disruptions continue to shape freight conditions. Ongoing tensions in the Gulf region have triggered frontloading activity, with shippers moving cargo earlier to reduce the impact of rising fuel-related costs and avoid possible supply chain disruptions. This shift has tightened vessel utilisation and pushed ocean freight rates higher.

According to the report, carriers are also adjusting to fuel volatility by increasing bunker surcharge revisions more frequently, moving from quarterly changes to monthly adjustments in some cases. Rising fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty continue to affect shipping costs and market planning.

Dimerco said shipping capacity across Asia Pacific remains manageable overall, but congestion in India and Thailand is affecting schedule reliability ahead of the traditional peak season. In Southeast Asia, port congestion and operational delays continue to slow cargo movement, while transhipment hubs are facing pressure due to rerouting and shifting cargo patterns.

In China, shipping markets are seeing tighter conditions on several lanes as carriers continue blank sailings and manage vessel space carefully. Space to Thailand and Indonesia remains tight, while reduced vessel deployment and schedule adjustments are affecting cargo movement to the US and Europe. Carriers are also prioritising lighter cargo in some cases, resulting in longer lead times for large-volume project shipments.

South China and Hong Kong are facing continued pressure on US and European trade lanes due to blank sailings and congestion at destination ports. Europe-bound shipments are facing delays of up to several days due to congestion at base ports, while space shortages are continuing to influence freight conditions.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand is facing growing logistics pressure as congestion affects both airport and port operations. Truck demand remains high, and delays in cargo movement are affecting supply chain efficiency. Malaysia and Singapore continue to see stable but closely monitored shipping conditions, while Vietnam may face higher US shipping rates and container shortages because of early peak season demand and blank sailings.

Dimerco also noted that Europe’s shipping market remains volatile, with softer demand limiting stronger rate recovery even as rerouting, capacity adjustments and geopolitical-related surcharges continue to keep cost pressure elevated.

While shipping remains the main area of pressure, air freight markets across Asia Pacific are also facing tighter conditions. Jet fuel shortages are forcing some airlines to reduce cargo payloads or replace larger freighter aircraft with smaller ones to improve efficiency, reducing effective cargo capacity.

Demand for semiconductor, AI, e-commerce and high-tech shipments continues to support air freight volumes, especially in Taiwan and South Korea, where cargo demand remains strong on US and Europe routes. Taiwan continues to face tight capacity due to semiconductor and AI-related shipments, while South Korea is seeing pressure from semiconductor equipment demand and China cargo prioritisation.

The report added that airlines across Asia Pacific continue adjusting operations around the Middle East situation, resulting in longer transit times, tighter capacity and elevated rates on routes to Europe and the US, adding further pressure to regional supply chains.

India launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) for FY 2024–25 and four major digital initiatives aimed at improving governance, transparency and ease of doing business in the maritime sector during the 37th Foundation Day celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai. The initiatives were launched by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

The LPPI, developed under the Sagar Aankalan framework, is a national benchmarking mechanism designed to assess and improve the operational performance of Indian ports. It aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and aims to strengthen India’s position in global logistics and maritime trade.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal said the LPPI for FY 2024–25 is a major step towards improving the efficiency, transparency and global competitiveness of Indian ports. He said the index would promote continuous improvement and global benchmarking to strengthen India’s position as a leading maritime power.

The LPPI evaluates ports across dry bulk, liquid bulk and container cargo segments using indicators such as cargo handled, vessel turnaround time, berth idle time, pre-berthing waiting time, container dwell time and ship berth day output. The framework gives equal importance to absolute performance and year-on-year improvement to encourage better port operations.

Alongside the LPPI, Sonowal launched four digital initiatives developed by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to improve service delivery, transparency and accountability for seafarers and maritime stakeholders.

The initiatives include a 24x7 grievance redressal module under the e-Navik platform, a ship registration module on the e-Samudra platform, a medical practitioner module and a Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note module.

Sonowal described the grievance redressal platform as a welfare measure for Indian seafarers, saying it would allow grievances to be filed through multiple channels, including the e-Navik portal, toll-free helplines, WhatsApp and dedicated email services from anywhere in the world.

He said an effective grievance redressal system is important for seafarers who often work far from home under difficult conditions and added that it reflects India’s commitment to the principles of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

The Minister said the digital ship registration module would simplify vessel registration procedures and align India’s maritime administration with major global shipping nations. He added that the medical practitioner module would streamline the registration and monitoring of doctors authorised to certify seafarers while reducing the risk of fraudulent certifications.

Another reform launched at the event was the Unified Ship Recycling Portal for the Ship Recycling Credit scheme, which forms part of the government’s ₹700 billion maritime development package announced in 2025. Under the scheme, ship owners recycling vessels at Hong Kong Convention-compliant Indian yards can receive a credit note equal to 40 percent of the vessel’s scrap value, redeemable against new shipbuilding projects in India.

Sonowal also praised JNPA’s performance, stating that the port crossed 8 million TEUs and handled more than 102 million metric tonnes of cargo during FY 2025–26.

He said JNPA’s growth over the last 37 years reflected the transformation of India’s maritime sector from a conventional port ecosystem to a globally competitive logistics and trade gateway. He added that government efforts to modernise, mechanise and digitise ports had strengthened JNPA’s position.

The Minister said the launch of the indigenous Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), the AI-powered tender evaluation platform NIVIDA and multiple strategic memorandums of understanding signed during the event reflected the port’s focus on innovation, sustainability and operational excellence.

Among port performers, Paradip Port Authority ranked first in the dry bulk cargo category handling more than 5 million tonnes, while Sikka Port and Terminals led the liquid bulk cargo segment. Mundra Port ranked highest in the container cargo category handling more than 0.5 million TEUs, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority secured second place among major container ports.

During his speech, Sonowal said India’s performance in global logistics rankings had improved in recent years. He highlighted that India moved from 44th to 22nd position in the International Shipments category of the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index and that seven Indian ports featured among the top 100 ports in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index 2024.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai Port Authority, JNPA and representatives from the maritime, logistics and trade sectors.

Ritco Logistics reported its strongest-ever fourth-quarter performance for FY26, with total standalone income rising 11.79% year-on-year to ₹3.87 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, while full-year revenue crossed ₹14.80 billion. The company said growth was supported by strong operational execution, new contract acquisitions, expansion in steel and infrastructure supply chains, growth in multimodal operations and continued digital investments.

For FY26, Ritco Logistics reported standalone total income of ₹14.91 billion, up 24.84% from ₹11.95 billion in FY25. Operating income increased 24.88% year-on-year to ₹14.84 billion, while EBITDA rose 19.59% to ₹1.15 billion. Profit before tax increased 3.61% to ₹658.4 million and net profit rose 5.69% to ₹498.8 million.

In Q4 FY26, standalone total income increased 11.79% year-on-year to ₹3.87 billion from ₹3.46 billion in the same period last year. Operating income rose 11.70% to ₹3.85 billion. EBITDA stood at ₹262.7 million, while profit before tax came in at ₹132.5 million and net profit at ₹109.7 million.

On a consolidated basis, Ritco Logistics reported total income of ₹3.94 billion in Q4 FY26, up 13.34% year-on-year, while operating income rose 13.44% to ₹3.92 billion. For the full year, consolidated total income stood at ₹15.05 billion, an increase of 25.91% from FY25, while operating income grew 26.02% to ₹14.99 billion.

The company said business momentum remained strong across sectors including steel and metals, polymers, energy, FMCG, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, allied industries and bulk commodities. During the quarter, Ritco secured a long-term transportation contract in the steel sector involving multi-location movements across the country.

Ritco also expanded its presence in FMCG and building materials through new contract acquisitions across national and regional routes. The company strengthened its position in fly ash logistics after securing a transportation mandate from an infrastructure company and won a short-term assignment in the infrastructure-linked bulk commodities segment involving inter-state operations.

The company added new customers across FMCG, allied industries and healthcare sectors for multi-destination logistics requirements and said its digital capabilities, operational integration and multimodal logistics expertise continued to support supply chain operations.

In contract logistics, Ritco said it strengthened its position in steel and metals through a three-year transportation contract with nationwide coverage. The company also expanded services across polymer, steel, infrastructure and pharmaceutical sectors, while increasing its presence in energy transportation.

Ritco said it continued to strengthen its 3PL and warehousing network to support its shift towards integrated supply chain solutions. The company expanded its presence in western India and increased its ability to manage large and complex supply chains for a major public sector client.

The company also continued digital transformation initiatives aimed at strengthening security, system management and operational efficiency. Measures included system configuration improvements, stronger log management, enhanced authentication systems, code security measures and third-party dependency risk management.

TrucksUp Solutions, Ritco Logistics’ digital arm, reported strong growth in platform adoption, FASTag services and AI-led load-matching capabilities during the quarter. Total income nearly doubled quarter-on-quarter to ₹74.3 million from ₹39.2 million, while operating income increased to ₹72.5 million from ₹38.3 million.

During Q4 FY26, TrucksUp issued 12,520 FASTags, 3,460 fuel cards and 4,203 insurance policies. The company said FASTag gross merchandise value crossed ₹150 million in February and the platform expanded its reach to more than 17,000 PIN codes. In March, TrucksUp signed a memorandum of understanding with NHAI and IHMCL to strengthen its role in the national highway ecosystem.

The company said its load board business also recorded growth during the quarter, with supply-side and demand-side activity increasing in February. Ritco said wider service coverage and increased platform engagement supported stronger logistics connectivity across metro, tier-2, tier-3 and rural markets.

Commenting on the performance, the management said Q4 FY26 reflected continued focus on execution, customer-led growth and operational efficiency, supported by investments in technology, automation and warehousing infrastructure to improve supply chain visibility, service reliability and asset productivity.

Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) CFS Paradip has successfully handled the maiden import shipment of project cargo for JSW’s upcoming steel plant at Utkal. The consignment comprised 25 x 40’ containers and was managed end-to-end under CONCOR’s Total Logistics Solutions offering.

CONCOR CFS Paradip’s scope of services for this operation included first- and last-mile transportation, customs clearance, CFS handling, cargo storage in warehousing, and close coordination with the port, shipping lines, and customs authorities. The smooth execution demonstrates CONCOR CFS Paradip’s capability to manage large-scale, complex project cargo movements and reinforces the facility’s readiness to support heavy industrial supply chains.

JSW Utkal’s project cargo volumes are expected to reach approximately 1,000 x 40’ containers over the next two years. This maiden handling marks the commencement of a strategic, long-term logistics partnership between CONCOR and JSW Utkal, positioning CONCOR to play a key role in the project’s material movement and storage requirements.