United Shipping Services

22/06/2026

Chennai’s air cargo story is entering an exciting phase ✈️

Glad to share my recent interview with CARGOtalk on Chennai’s growing role in India’s export and logistics ecosystem.

The rise of electronics, smartphones, EV components, and engineering exports is changing the cargo landscape. Chennai is no longer just a gateway — it is becoming an important link in global supply chains.

But to fully realise this opportunity, infrastructure must grow along with volumes — better cargo facilities, faster connectivity, and a stronger logistics ecosystem are essential.

A lot of potential lies ahead for Chennai and Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing economy.

Sharing the conversation and my views on the journey ahead.
https://online.fliphtml5.com/yzsfr/CargoTALK-June-2nd-26/

29/05/2026

Pleased to share my recent interaction published in CargoTalk Magazine on the future of Chennai air cargo and Tamil Nadu’s growing importance in global manufacturing and exports.

Tamil Nadu today is one of India’s strongest industrial and electronics manufacturing destinations. From smartphones and electronics to automobiles, engineering goods, and high-value exports, the state has all the ingredients to become a major global air cargo hub.

However, Chennai’s air cargo potential has remained underutilized for decades due to infrastructure gaps, congestion, and administrative inefficiencies within the existing airport cargo ecosystem. During the same period, many competing airports across India and Asia have significantly expanded their cargo capacity, volumes, and airline connectivity.

The result has been a substantial loss of investment opportunities, logistics revenue, cargo throughput, and employment potential for Tamil Nadu.

Despite these challenges, the future remains extremely promising. The upcoming new airport development gives Chennai a historic opportunity to reclaim its position as the gateway cargo hub of South India.

Tamil Nadu already has the manufacturing strength, global investor confidence, and export ecosystem. What is now needed is world-class cargo infrastructure, faster ex*****on, improved connectivity, and long-term planning aligned with global supply chain requirements.

With the right vision and coordinated industry-government support, Chennai can become one of Asia’s leading logistics and air cargo gateways in the coming decade.

My published article in CargoTalk:
[https://cargotalk.in/us-europe-key-destinations-for-finished-goods/](https://cargotalk.in/us-europe-key-destinations-for-finished-goods/)

Call now to connect with business.

04/03/2026

I was honoured to participate as a panel member at the 2nd International Conclave & Job Fair (LOGISOL-26), hosted by the Dhaanish School of Management.

The energy from the students and the depth of the industry discussions made for an incredible day. We delved deep into the theme: "Reimagining Logistics: Speed, Sustainability & Strategy."

Key takeaways from our session:

• Speed is No Longer Optional: Same-day and next-day delivery aren't just market trends; they are fundamental structural shifts requiring Predictive Logistics and urban micro-fulfilment.
• The Trinity of Ex*****on: Speed is the result of Infrastructure providing the floor, Technology acting as the engine, and Leadership steering the strategy.
• Closing the Talent Gap: Industry expectations are moving toward Systems Thinking and human-machine collaboration.

It was inspiring to share insights on how we can better bridge the gap between academic training and the "on-the-ground" realities of modern supply chains.

It’s clear that the future of logistics is in capable—and agile—hands!

05/02/2026

The numbers are in, and Chennai is officially leading India’s air cargo growth. 📈

With national air traffic up 6%, Chennai's performance highlights a significant shift in trade patterns and industrial demand. From electronics to automotive parts, the city is proving its resilience and capacity to handle high-volume freight.

Check out my comments on the article for a deeper dive into the infrastructure and policy drivers behind this growth.

Chennai leads India's air cargo growth with a 6% rise, driven by mobile phone and machinery handling amid positive trends.

18/11/2025

Chennai Airport Cargo: Celebrating a Step Forward, Demanding a Leap Ahead.

The recent news about Chennai Airport (MAA) taking the 3rd spot in International Cargo Handling in H1 is a welcome sign and a testament to the potential of our region. We are always happy to see positive numbers for our Air Cargo Complex, Chennai (ACCMAA).

The Reality Check: An Urgent Call for Sustained Growth
However, as stakeholders in the Tamil Nadu Trade, we must look beyond fleeting H1 highlights and address the underlying systemic issues.

Tonnage Volatility: The positive momentum appears to be short-lived. Since October 2025, the total tonnage has disappointingly tanked to 25,967 tonnes (Export: 11,831 MT; Import: 14,136 MT). This volatility underscores a need for stability and strategic management.

The Cost of Inaction: For years, we have advocated for long-term business development plans, improved customer service, and critical CAPEX investment from the government to meet the high demand for efficient air cargo operations. Unfortunately, the decade-long lack of sustained development has left the terminal's capacity underutilised by over 50%.

Lost Revenue and Migration: Once the #1 air cargo and passenger gateway of South India, MAA's poor patronage has led most Tamil Nadu-based businesses and cargo to migrate to competing hubs like Bengaluru (BLR), Kochi (COK), and Hyderabad (HYD). This mass migration is costing the TN state millions in lost revenue and adding significant road transport costs for moving cargo and passengers out-of-state for uplift.

The Solution: Embracing a PPP Model for Strategic Assets
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is adept at establishing new airport infrastructure, but managing and operating large, highly competitive hubs like Chennai (MAA) and Kolkata (CCU) profitably and efficiently to meet modern service demands is a different challenge.

For a strategic and critical sector like air cargo, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model remains the best suited approach. It is essential to ensure:
Continuous Growth: Long-term investment driven by commercial viability.
Competitive Service: Benchmarking against world-class, private-run airports in India (BLR, HYD, etc.).

Long-term Development: Shielding critical infrastructure from bureaucratic inertia and ensuring agility to meet global trade demands.

We urge the policymakers to prioritize the long-term vision and implement a robust PPP model for MAA's air cargo and overall operations to unlock its full potential as the primary economic gateway of South India.

The Chennai airport has taken the third spot in international cargo handling in first half of this fiscal, overtaking its biggest and nearest competitor - Bengaluru - by a whisker.