Impact of geopolitical situation like Israel-Palestinian conflict, and Russia-Ukraine war was huge and affected Indian EXIM trade, it led to increased operating costs for airlines, making it difficult for freight forwarders to operate, says Reshma Zaheer, CEO, TT Logistics & Cargo, and Chairperson, ACFI.
CT Bureau
As new ACFI Women’s Wing President, how do you plan to take industry issues forward?
My primary objective is to promote gender diversity and ensure that women are adequately represented within the workforce. We aim to focus on their professional development by organising targeted training sessions that enhance their skills.
By collaborating with stakeholders and allied organisations, we hope to amplify our efforts and create systemic change within the industry regarding gender equality. This is the cornerstone of the ACFI Women Empowerment Group’s mission.
One of our key initiatives is to build a comprehensive database using ACFI membership data to analyse gender representation in the industry. This data will help us understand the current landscape: the number of women in the industry, their career growth, and progression. Additionally, it will enable us to identify the reasons behind their departure and develop effective retention strategies. We also aim to work closely with ACFI members to attract more women to join the industry.
Ultimately, we believe that achieving gender equality must start within our own organisations. All the members of the Women Empowerment Task Pillar are committed to working hand-in-hand with the ACFI governing body and within our own organisations to set an example and lead by example. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and equal opportunity, we can inspire and drive change across the entire industry.
Do you have plans to collaborate with other women leaders?
Definitely. Right now, we are focusing on building a solid database to advocate for fair gender representation within industry bodies, starting with ACFI. By ensuring each task pillar has balanced gender representation, we can support women’s professional development more effectively. Looking ahead, we are excited about collaborating with industry bodies such as AMTOI, ACAAI, and FFFAI.
By joining forces, we can create a more inclusive and diverse industry. Plus, we are planning to launch a mentorship program after April next year. This programme will pair experienced women leaders with aspiring women aiming for leadership positions in the air cargo industry.
It is all about providing guidance, sharing valuable insights, and building a supportive network for the future women leaders. Through these efforts, we are committed to driving systemic change and creating a more equitable environment for women in the industry.
What are the pain points when it comes to cargo movement domestically and globally?
Well, the geopolitical landscape has really been impacting the air cargo industry. The Israel-Palestinian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war have both taken a toll on Indian EXIM trade. With all these conflicts, operating costs for airlines have shot up, and those costs inevitably get passed down to freight forwarders and shippers. This spike in costs is usually the first noticeable impact.
On top of that, these geopolitical tensions have wreaked havoc on supply chains, causing delays and uncertainties. Take the Russia-Ukraine war, for example; it led to fluctuating fuel prices and changes in trade routes, which in turn affect the overall cost and efficiency of cargo transportation. The Israel-Palestinian conflict has its own set of challenges for maritime trade, disrupting the flow of goods and increasing the risk of delays.
And then, there is the whole issue of risk management. Companies now have to be more vigilant than ever, planning for all sorts of contingencies to keep things running smoothly. This often means rerouting shipments and dealing with more stringent security measures.
Overcoming these challenges is going to require a coordinated effort from everyone involved to build more resilient and adaptable supply chains.
How would you rate infra in India for multimodal cargo movement?
Well, both infrastructure and processes always have room for improvement. When it comes to road or rail transportation, there are certainly areas that need attention.
For example, if we look at the processing time at airports, there’s definitely scope for enhancement. The question is: where exactly is the weakest link? Is it the airport infrastructure, the regulatory authorities, or the customs procedures? Identifying this link is crucial so that we can work on strengthening it.
Moreover, the adoption of technology plays a significant role in making us more efficient. By leveraging the latest advancements, we can streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. There are indeed huge areas of improvement that we need to address to remain competitive on the world stage. Continuous improvement is key, and by focusing on these aspects, we can ensure that our infrastructure and processes meet global standards.
What kind of relations do you maintain with your airline and airport partners in the ecosystem?
At TT Logistics, we put a lot of effort into building strong relationships with all stakeholders. This goes beyond just our airline principals and extends to forwarders, airport operators, trucking partners, team members, among others. In the spirit of partnership, we believe in working together and tackling or handling challenges as a team. When issues arise, we focus on how we can jointly resolve the situation.
Building resilience into our operations is crucial. By having a proactive and collaborative approach, we ensure that we are prepared to handle any challenges that come our way.
How crucial is innovation? How do you offer best in class services to your customers?
Innovation is absolutely vital for us. At TT Logistics, we live by the principle of continuous improvement. We have got processes in place, and we conduct regular audits to ensure we are always at our best. Our dedicated quality assurance team runs these audits and presents the results back to us, so we are always in the loop about where we can improve.
But it is not just about audits. From the past five years. We have been investing heavily in technology to stay ahead of the curve. By leveraging the latest technological advancements, we are able to offer top-notch services to our customers.
Advanced technology has become the backbone of our operations. From advanced software that allows us to track shipments to automated workflows that streamline processes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that deliver an elevated customer experience, our fompany is harnessing technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
With continuous innovation and a strong focus on technology, at TTL we are paving the way for a more efficient and customer-centric future.
