The terminal handled 465,000 MT of domestic and global cargo, and we are on track to exceed half a million tonnes in the current fiscal, with growth driven by e-commerce. To accommodate demand, we expanded warehousing facilities, says Kamesh Peri, CEO, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India.
Ritika Arora Bhola
What are the bottlenecks in ground handling processes?
The bottlenecks in cargo handling include ageing infrastructure, lack of integrated digital systems, and the challenge of navigating regulatory complexities. Many airports, particularly smaller ones, operate with limited or outdated handling infrastructure, which can lead to delays. Fragmented manual procedures, especially in cargo documentation and customs, contribute to operational inefficiencies. For example, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or cumbersome regulatory processes can result in cargo bottlenecks, slowing down supply chain flows and increasing costs for logistics providers.
It is high time the industry adopted digitised and streamlined processes to reduce paperwork and speed up customs clearance. Collaborative efforts between industry players and regulatory authorities are crucial for harmonising procedures across the board, thereby enhancing efficiency and throughput in handling.
Do you have staff trained in latest equipment and procedures?
Training is not just a one-time effort; it is a continuous process. Our teams are trained to handle a variety of cargo types, including commodities such as pharma and perishables that require knowledge of temperature control systems and delicate handling procedures. For example, our employees have been trained in modern material handling equipment, warehouse management system and industry & regulatory compliance needs. This improves efficiency, ensures accuracy and transparency in the handling process.
We conduct regular simulations and workshops, particularly for cargo handling equipment such as forklifts, ETV and MHE to ensure that our employees are adept at using these technologies with safety and precision. Besides, we focus on continuous skilling of our talent and function as a centre for future ready skills. Our Training Academy has plethora of inhouse built capability development programmes over a digital platform and covers soft skills as well.
What steps are in place to ensure safety during handling operations?
Safety is embedded in each aspect of handling operations at Çelebi, by adhering to global and local regulatory safety standards and investing in safety technologies. Our cargo handling operations follow industry recognised safety protocols, such as the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations, ensuring every step of the process—is managed with the highest safety standards. For example, our use of automated systems minimises chances of human error, reducing the likelihood of accidents or damage to sensitive cargo. We have a real-time monitoring system in place to track cargo movements and equipment performance to quickly identify and mitigate potential safety risks. Another safety measure is our frequent staff training on health and safety protocols, such as wearing proper PPE and following operational checklists before and after every cargo movement. We have integrated safety features into our ground equipment, ensuring that operations are safe and efficient.
Do you have infrastructure and capacity ready to meet growing demand?
We have scaled infrastructure to meet the growing demand in the sector. For instance, in FY 2023-24, our Delhi cargo terminal handled 465,000 MT of domestic and global cargo, and we are on track to exceed half a million tonnes in the current fiscal in the coming years. This is testament to our capacity to handle today’s demands and prepare for future growth as volumes surge, driven by e-commerce and pharma. To accommodate it, we have expanded our warehousing facilities, invested in latest handling equipment. The focus on digitisation has allowed us to streamline our processes, enabling faster turnaround time and improve overall efficiency.
These advancements, position Celebi to manage more volumes and ensure we remain a key player in the rapidly evolving ground handling market. By aligning our infrastructure development with industry trends, we are confident in our ability to handle demand surges, particularly as India moves towards its aspirational goal of handling 10 million MT of air cargo by 2030.
