Blue Dart Launches Diwali Express 2026 with Up to 60% Off on International Shipments
Blue Dart Express Limited, a leading express air and integrated transportation and distribution company in South Asia, has launched its seasonal shipping campaign, 'Diwali Express 2026'. The initiative aims to make festive deliveries more affordable and convenient, helping customers share the joy of Diwali without stretching their budgets. Running from 8 October to 14 November 2026, the campaign offers special discounts on eligible domestic and international shipments. The offer gives individuals and businesses an opportunity to send gifts to family, friends and business associates across India and overseas at reduced shipping rates. For domestic shipments, Blue Dart is offering discounts of up to 50% on eligible consignments weighing between 2 kg and 10 kg. The offer is designed to support customers sending festive gifts and packages to destinations across India. Along with reduced shipping charges, customers can also benefit from free doorstep pickup and home booking facilities, subject to service availability in their respective areas. These services are intended to make the booking and delivery process simpler, particularly during the busy festive period. The campaign also covers international shipments, allowing customers to send gifts to destinations around the world at discounted rates. Eligible international gift consignments can receive savings of up to 60%, with the offer covering various shipment weights and destinations. Customers can use the service to send festive gifts, sweets and hampers to relatives, friends and business partners overseas. Through its international express delivery network, supported by the Blue Dart-DHL network, the company aims to make cross-border festive shipping more accessible and cost-effective.
India Still Leans on China for 65% of Pharma Ingredients, NITI Aayog Warns
New Delhi: India's pharmaceutical sector remains deeply dependent on China for the bulk of its critical raw materials, with nearly 65 per cent of the country's requirements for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), key starting materials (KSMs), and intermediates continuing to be sourced from its neighbour, according to NITI Aayog. The government's premier policy think tank flagged this persistent vulnerability in the eighth edition of its Trade Watch Quarterly report, released on Tuesday. The report drew particular attention to supply chain fragility in fermentation-based products and pointed to rising environmental compliance costs that are pushing up manufacturing and research expenditures for Indian drugmakers. Beyond raw material dependence, NITI Aayog identified a broader structural challenge: a weak innovation and commercialisation ecosystem that continues to create uncertainty for drug developers and dampen long-term investment appetite in the sector. To address these gaps, the think tank recommended that India diversify aggressively into high-value pharmaceutical segments and deepen collaboration between industry and academic institutions to speed up the commercialisation of research and support startup growth.
India Approves ₹2,814 Crore Incentive Scheme to Boost Domestic Lithium and Nickel Processing
FICCI-Kearney Report Urges India to Strengthen Port Connectivity and Logistics by 2030
MUMBAI: India's ports have recorded steady growth in cargo handling and operational efficiency over the past decade. However, weaknesses in inland connectivity, logistics coordination and shipping services could prevent the country from fully benefiting from this progress, according to a report released by FICCI and Kearney in Mumbai. Titled India's Maritime Agenda for 2030: From Efficient Ports to Globally Connected Trade Gateways, the report highlights that the next stage of maritime development will depend on more than expanding port infrastructure. Shipping services, inland transport links, logistics networks and industrial connections will play an equally important role in linking ports with domestic and international markets. The report recommends that the government and industry adopt separate development strategies for four types of maritime gateways by 2030: container gateways, transshipment hubs, industrial and energy gateways, and specialised export corridors. The recommendations build on the progress made by India's port sector over the past decade. Cargo handled at major and non-major ports increased by 38 per cent between FY2017-18 and FY2025-26, rising from 1,209 million tonnes to 1,668 million tonnes. During the same period, total handling capacity grew by 22 per cent to 2.8 billion tonnes annually. Capacity utilisation also improved from 52 per cent to 59 per cent, indicating that the system still has room for further growth. Operational performance has improved as well. Average vessel turnaround time at major ports declined by 18 per cent to around 49 hours. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Pipavav and Mundra also feature among the world's top 30 ports in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index 2025. However, the report points out that some of the biggest bottlenecks now occur beyond the port's immediate operations. Data from the 2025 National Time Release Study covering four major seaports shows that export approval took an average of around 30 hours. The period between approval and vessel departure, however, extended to approximately 158 hours, accounting for 84 per cent of the total measured time. At Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House, export customs clearance averaged 2 hours and 12 minutes in 2026, while the complete export cycle took more than eight days. The report clarifies that this period includes logistics activity and scheduled waiting, not just unnecessary delays. Nevertheless, the findings underline the importance of better coordination across the export process.
India Targets 12% Coastal and Inland Waterway Freight Share by 2047, Says Sonowal
PURI: India is working to increase the share of coastal and inland waterway transport in the country's freight movement from 6% to 12% by 2047, while targeting one million sea cruise passengers by 2029. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal outlined these goals at a Consultative Committee meeting in Puri, Odisha. The targets are expected to be supported by two proposed initiatives: the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme and the Cruise Bharat Mission. During the meeting, Sonowal also announced plans to develop the Puri International Cruise Terminal through a partnership between Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and the Government of Odisha. The project is expected to involve an investment of around ₹1,500 crore. Sonowal chaired the ministry's Consultative Committee meeting, which focused on strengthening coastal and cruise shipping in India. Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Shantanu Thakur and eight Members of Parliament attended the meeting. The ministry's Secretary opened the discussion by presenting the measures being taken to promote coastal cargo movement and cruise tourism. "In the last 12 years under PM Narendra Modi, India's maritime sector has undergone massive transformations," Sonowal said. India's coastline stretches for more than 11,000 kilometres, offering considerable potential for transporting goods over long distances through a relatively cleaner mode. According to Sonowal, coastal cargo handled at Indian ports has increased from 74 million metric tonnes to 177 million metric tonnes over the past 12 years, registering growth of around 140%.
India and Denmark Strengthen Maritime Cooperation with Focus on Green Shipping and Decarbonisation
MUMBAI: India and Denmark are looking to deepen their maritime partnership, with green shipping, decarbonisation and sustainable development emerging as key areas of cooperation. Both countries have reiterated their commitment to working together to support a cleaner and more sustainable global shipping industry. Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), met H.E. Martin Lidegaard, Denmark's Minister for Business and Competitiveness, for a bilateral discussion at APM Terminals, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Mumbai. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest and identify possibilities for expanding cooperation in the maritime sector. The Danish delegation included H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India; Ms. Tine Nielsen Hertz, Deputy Permanent Secretary; senior Danish officials; and representatives from APM Terminals and Mærsk. The Indian delegation comprised Shri K. M. Rao, Chief Surveyor; Capt. S. Darokar, Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mumbai; Shri Pradeep Sudhakar, Chief Ship Surveyor; Shri Deependra Singh Bisen, Deputy Director General (International Cooperation); and Shri Pravin Kumar Roy, E&SS. The discussions covered several important areas, including green shipping, maritime decarbonisation, alternative marine fuels, seafarer training, skill development, shipbuilding, maritime technologies, sustainable ship recycling and regulatory cooperation. Both sides discussed how their respective technical capabilities and industry experience could help accelerate the shift towards a cleaner, more efficient and resilient maritime sector.
New Mangalore Port Authority Celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava with Patriotic Spirit
MANGALURU: New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) celebrated Karnataka Rajyotsava at the port with patriotic spirit and enthusiasm. The event was presided over by Smt. S. Shanthi, Deputy Chairperson of NMPA, while noted writer and television anchor Shri Prakash Hosabettu attended as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Shri Yallappa Vaddar, President of NMPA Kannada Sangha, and Dr. Surekha Hoskeri, member of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebration Committee and Chief Medical Officer, NMPA. The celebrations began with Smt. S. Shanthi hoisting the State Flag in the presence of dignitaries, Board Members, NMPA Kannada Sangha members, officers, employees, staff and school students. The formal inauguration followed with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Deputy Chairperson and floral tributes to Mother Bhuvaneshwari. Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Shri Prakash Hosabettu spoke about the importance of the Kannada language, the significance of Karnataka Rajyotsava and the history behind the celebration. He appreciated NMPA for bringing together members of the entire port community and marking the occasion in an inclusive manner.
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