Machinery Movement

jcbCSS team at Coimbatore office has successfully handled the shipment of excavator JCB machine movement from Coimbatore to Tema, Ghana.  Shipment weighing 21tons with a volume of 93 CBM was handled by well-trained team of CSS. The movement which required close coordination was handled professionally by the CSS projects team with careful planning and meticulous handling.

The volume specification was 9.5X 3X 3.2 meters and was successfully moved on 1X40 flat racks. The entire units were carefully loaded under expert supervision and moved with enough escorts to the destination site. The movement was carried out in November and CMA CGM will take the machines to its destination in Ghana which is expected to reach by January. All necessary documentation including permissions was procured prior to the movement. Team Coimbatore, under the leadership of C. Thainis Raj, Manager Sales & Marketing reports that this is going to be a regular project movement henceforth awarded to CSS.

“CSS offices in the South will be more aggressively exploring the opportunities related with machinery movement, as there are huge hidden prospects involved here” mentioned T K Vishwanath, GM South India. High professionalism was displayed by each and every team member involved in the project and proved once again CSS Group’s commitment towards achieving highest quality of service rendition.

Demonetization

How long will it take to stabilize the economy?

cashOn 8th November 2016 India makes another abrupt history when Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced Demonetization of High denomination Notes with immediate effects. The step has been taken into consideration to stop Black Money, Fake Currency Note, Inflation & fight against terrorism.

To some extent the Demonetization abolishes Terrorism, Black Money in India but Growth of any Country depends upon its Export Import Trade and indeed it is very crucial for India too. After demonetization however Exports have slowed down due to currency crunch.  The Trading Market almost demolished due to the fact that this market operates in Currency Notes only. True to its core that instability in the Exports leads to inflation and that in turn leads to an uncertainty of internal purchasing power and unstable economy.

The Foreign Trade industry is suffering in the aftershocks and shall continue to suffer for a further period, though for limited time as per Trade Experts.

Government’s decision to ban use of old Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes is expected to impact adversely the growth of export-import (EXIM) trade, shipping giant Maersk Line said in a report.

rajesh-arora“Trade wise, Maersk Line expects India’s EXIM growth in the fourth quarter (October-December) to be slower than third, as a result of the demonetization exercise undertaken by the government in November this year,”…. the global containerised division of the Maersk Group said in a statement.

However the influx of money from the black market shall certainly improve to be beneficial in the long run for Export Import Trade. The fact lies at the moment that plunge in money supply with overflowing bank deposits ring an alarm in consumption demands, means decline in imports.

The Indian Government has always paid incentives and promoted Export with easy policies. Nonetheless the Exports market is taking a toll at the moment. “ Make in India” projects need easy flow of currency for manufacturing, hence the Import and Export both trade have got their bottlenecks as of now and nobody is sure how much time it requires to be back on business…

Demonetization is indeed a great move by Government to fight against corruption, fake money, black money, terror financing and long term economic gains and  for a greater cause it is inevitable that for a few months Indian’s Export trade will be slow but as per experts considered it is a bold step taken by Indian Government to strengthen our GDP the future of Indian Export Import trade looks promising for coming 2017.

AFBN 1st Annual Meet

afbn-conference


The first annual meeting of the AFBN (African Freight Bridge Networks) was held in the historic city of Marrakech, Morocco from the 8th to 11th December 2016. Consolidated Shipping Services Group attended the Meeting and was represented by Ajay Krishnan, Vice President, Freight forwarding & Pricing. The conference comprised of presentations, one-to -one meeting, social get together, group lunches and post tours.

awardAFBN is the first International freight forwarders network based in the African Continent. The network membership offers many benefits to the member companies in the African region. This member ship introduces a new member to the best and reliable freight forwarders in Africa. Being a member of AFBN networks will allow you to work only with trusted and specialized freight forwarders from all over the world under the financial and monitoring protection programme of AFBN which secures all financial transactions amongst the members.

“AFBN Conference was an extremely interactive and engaging event for CSS. Three days provided opportunity to know about the members of the network more closely and explore new paths to build better business relationships in the African region”, mentioned Ajay Krishnan.

CSS Group with its worldwide network aims at exploring the opportunities of the prospects offered by the African countries, which they haven’t pursued yet. Consolidated Shipping Group, established in the year 1995, is one of the fastest growing NVOCCs in the region where it operates. CSS Group, headquartered in Dubai has become one of the most trusted partners for freight forwarding and logistics among the global fraternity within a short period of time. Professional and dedicated services offered in the field of Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Local & International Land Transportation, Projects Management, Supply Chain Management and Personal Effects Management has brought in accolades and recognition for the entire CSS Group. Being a prominent name in the field of freight forwarding in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, CSS Group has to its credit an enviable list of Global Network Partners. CSS has a dedicated and highly skilled team of over 750 professionals around the globe offering integrated freight forwarding & logistic solutions to varied clientele.

Regional Headquarters

kala


Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C Starts functioning from its new Regional Head Quarters in Jebel Ali. The new facility is conveniently located in JAFZA adjacent to the existing CSS CFS and Opposite to LOB 08. The soft launch of the new office building was held in the first week of December with the CSS Senior Management and other staff in attendance for the function. Office inauguration was done with a ribbon cutting by Chandrakala (CK), Director Ocean freight Operations which was followed by Lighting of the Lamp by the Senior Management members.office-relocation

The business relocation was informed well in advance to all the company stake holders, overseas agents, local customers and associates through an office announcement release a week prior to the function. The sprawling new office was completed in record time with the state of the art ware house associated with it and is adjacent to the previous CSLC 1 facility. The new facility has increased the storage provisions of CSS in the Middle East, which will give a boost to the 3PL activities over this area.

The telephone number of the new office would be 04 8831303, however the PO Box will remain same for the company.

Lingering of Oil Economies – A Matter of Concern

oil-economyEconomics is a social science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses.

Oil Economies, a cliché term to elaborately define the strong existence of the conventional oil producing nations. As oil is an exhaustible resource, which will eventually run out, the economy that depends on oil can also eventually run out. The oil market has undergone considerable amount of change during the past few decades. The etiquette that protects the oil market is no more valid. The oil economies require an updated set of principles reflecting the New Economics of Oil.

The current soar in oil prices of an approximate 40% is not a matter of excitement according to experts. No one knows the future of oil prices, which has been showcasing fluctuations in the recent past. The so called oil economies are preparing to lower their oil production and thus bring the prices to hover around $50 per barrel. To a certain extent this strategy might show a positive vibe. However, can we consider this as an everlasting phenomenon?

The recent survey done by the Harvard Business Review shows that the present situation of lower oil price environment is not an “oil bust” that will be followed by an “oil boom” in the near future. Instead, it cautions that the aftereffect of this phenomenon will definitely impact all nations including non-oil producers.

In the recent past, economic scenario assumed that the oil producers are strong enough to take care of the oil and gas supply worldwide. However, as an unexpected jolt to the conventional energy giants, the American shale oil and gas producers’ master crafted a new business strategy. When the traditional oil companies takes at least five to ten years to explore, invest, and produce new oil fields, the US based shale oil companies require just five to six months overall to execute the same process. The capital investment for these American shale oil companies is really low when compared to their conventional rivals. This has resulted in a five times jump of total oil production in the United States.

The US has also lifted a four decade old ban on exporting its oil to the worldwide demands forcing the traditional oil producers to lower their production.

It is high time that the oil nations should stop relying on the conventional oil strategy as their economic backbone. GCC nations who have a strong oil based economy have amassed considerable wealth during the past decades could come under stress in the coming decades if they continue to follow their status quo. Instead, they have to find new methods and technology to invest in other forms of renewable energy and shale gas production as well.

Gopakumar KP
Sales Executive – CSS Dubai
gopakumar@cssdubai.com

Caste System in the World

rahat-talrejaOh no? What did I just say? isn’t this supposed to be a corporate journal and I need to write all the neutral and nice sounding things which appear modern and liberated from the past clichés of society like caste , class etc.

Shouldn’t i have written words and phrases like “go green” or “value addition” or “digital revolution?”

How could I use THAT word in the 21st Century?

But me being me, I can’t remain on the surface for long. So let’s get to the real thing. Which is our internal world which is not seen by all but runs us constitutionally in every way.

Caste! So what is it? It is nothing but a race or a set of similar people who follow similar customs and traditions and mind set and thinking. Not wholly but mostly.

My current insecurity makes me identify my current caste.

If sitting with a Delhi person, I am from Mumbai

If with a Chinese, both Delhi and I are Indian

If with a European, all, Chinese, Delhi and me are Asian

If with an alien, all, European, Chinese, Delhi and I are from the Earth

If in a car, the guy on the bike is another caste

If with a female, I am the guy, the other caste

If with an old person, I am young, the other caste

If I am fat, the thin guy is another caste

Besides if i am my caste, all others are from the other caste.

So basically, my dual nature of viewing things, with two eyes, and not the third eye: the eye of perception, everything is Another Caste

I am basically “casting” myself in one slot, viewing with 2 eyes and automatically the other becomes “other caste”

If you see, this caste system emerges from human insecurity and nothing else

He is just trying to get comfortable in his own casted space.

If insecurity is a fear and the human overcomes it be “casting” himself, how can it be wrong since it comes from a totally helpless and hapless position

Now a lot of countries like India are especially infamous for the caste system. North Indian, South Indian, East Indian, West Indian. Dig further and you get many such bifurcations.

So as we have observed, human beings first need “security” It is the most fundamental need and survival instinct of a human being. You cannot move forward one bit unless you feel secure. This is why now I come to the point that it is not the bad word it is made out to be. In fact the whole world follows it. I have seen in India. Japanese forwarders work with Japanese exporters/importers. Germans work with Germans. And so on. It is the feeling of security, of being like them, of having same thinking. And this is across the world. A very big role is played by the caste everywhere in the world. I have heard how Jews are comfortable with the Jews. How Whites avoid marrying the other colours.

Nothing wrong. It’s the comfort, the security; the same values the same thinking, the ability to address issues together.

The problem is we made it a bad word and then started avoiding using it on the surface although internally, our fundamental need of security and comfort drives us to think with that mentality. Many people suggested that the world citizens have globalised and everything is common now. But look around on the socio-geo-political front, globalisation has failed miserably. Protectionist policies are coming back on the economic front, on the leadership front, protectionist leaders are getting elected with recent examples of this being Mr Trump in the USA and The Brexit vote. How you find the disparity in retirement ages bring grudges to the hard working European countries vis-a-vis the earlier retiring populations of other European countries. In fact the prime agenda is now to save the EU. How the migrants from Syria and the other GCC countries being met with resistance from taking refuge. How Russia is consolidating its CIS position. How India is protecting its local farming industry for years now with protectionist duties.

As they say, you can only make others happy if you are yourself happy. Same applies to races, castes, countries etc. Human populations became adventurous in the name of globalisation and now are coming to terms, that first is security, then comes the rest.


Don’t you see that pickle jar being off loaded by the customs for an Indian traveller? It’s the pickle that gives him security. That taste. Makes him connect to himself, before he connects to others. The goal of every person should be to make a relation with himself first and then others. Every act you do should take you closer to yourself.

And for that, I think the most important is to see things in three dimensions and not duality. Beyond good and bad, beyond right and wrong, beyond day and night, beyond fire and ice, beyond high and low. The fact that every aspect is useful to understand the other aspect. That good cannot be understood without knowing bad. That richness can never be achieved without knowing poverty. That tall cannot be understood without seeing short. This is the third dimension. Which takes you beyond presentation, performance and any other external activity. It gives you a “cast” where you slot yourself and see things as they are. Without judgement. Because that my friends, is the actual caste that we belong to.

The inner world of blood, bone, mind, soul, perception. All the same.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to all

Merry Christmas

celebration


It was a room full of variety dishes and beaming faces. Christmas decors all around, red, gold and green colours were predominant. Celebration, gifts and carol songs and the pot luck lunch with around 30 dishes from starters to desserts. CSS Group celebrated Christmas this time in style on the 22nd in the office and the 25th of December in the Warehouse.

Santa arrived, but not in a sledge as the tradition recommends. Instead he came in full style in a Forklift, the CSS way. Gifts were distributed amongst the staff members. Cake cutting on the 22nd was done by Chandrakala (CK), Director Ocean freight operations in the office and on 25th it was done by T S Kaladharan, Chairman of CSS Group.

Two Tier Arbitration Clause is valid – Supreme Court of India

joyIn the recent Appeal filed by M/s Hindustan Copper Limited against M/s Centrotrade Minerals and Metals Inc., the Honourable Three Judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India held that “the Arbitration Clause in the Agreement between the parties does not violate the fundamental or public policy of India by the parties agreeing to the Second Instance Arbitration”.

The brief fact of the case is that M/s Centrotrade Minerals and Metal Inc and M/s Hindustan Copper Limited entered into a sale Agreement wherein 15,500 DMT of Copper Concentrate was to be delivered at Kandla Port, Gujarat as two consignments. Though the consignments were delivered and payments were made, a dispute arose between the parties later and M/s Centotrade invoked the Arbitration Clause in the Agreement.

The Clause 14 under the heading “Arbitration” in the Contract between the parties is as follows:

“All disputes or differences whatsoever arising between the parties out of, or relating to, the construction, meaning and operation or effect of the contract or the breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration in India through the Arbitration panel of the Indian Council of Arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the Indian Council of Arbitration.

If either party is in disagreement with the Arbitration result in India, either party will have the right to appeal to a second arbitration in London, UK in accordance with the Rules of the Conciliation and Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in effect on the date hereof and the result of this Second arbitration will be binding on both the parties.

Judgment upon the Award may be entered in any court in Jurisdiction”.

By an Award dated 15 June, 1999, the claim of M/s Centrotrade was dismissed by the Indian Arbitrator and a Nil Award was passed. Hence, M/s Centrotrade invoked the second part of the Arbitration Clause and thereupon an Award was made by the London Arbitrator upholding the claim of Centrotrade.

Further, M/s Centrotrade filed an application for the enforcement of the London Arbitration Award and the said application was allowed by the Calcutta High Court by an order dated 10 March 2004.

Aggrieved by this Order, M/s Hindustan Copper Limited, filed an Appeal before the Calcutta High Court, (AIR 2005 Cal 133) the Honourable Court allowed the said appeal and the impugned order was set aside. It was stated that the London arbitration Award was declared inexecutable so long as the Indian Nil Award stands.

While considering the Appeal, Hon. Supreme Court opined in Para 27, that “a combined reading of Subsection (1) of Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act and Section 35 thereof, an Arbitral Award would be final and binding on the parties unless it is set aside by a competent court on an application made by a party to the Arbitral Award. This does not exclude the autonomy of the parties to an arbitral award to mutually agree to a procedure whereby the arbitral award might be reconsidered by another arbitrator or panel of arbitrator by way of an appeal and the result of that appeal is accepted by the parties to be final and binding subject to a challenge provided for by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. This is precisely what the parties have in fact agreed upon and that the Court see no difficulty in honouring their mutual decision and accepting the validity of their Agreement”.

This Judgment can be marked as a landmark Judgment wherein the Hon. Supreme Court has accepted the Two Tier Arbitration as agreed by the Parties to the Contract and hopefully, this can be a turning point to the international community.

Chairman’s Message

T S Kaladharan

Paramount, during the last twenty-one years of our operations, has been the determination of CSS to cater for the ever growing demands from the shipping and logistics industry. We have been very particular in adopting the best practices so as to service our clients around the globe. Each and every decision we have taken, from time to time, has been focused on offering the best outcomes for our customers. It is therefore with great satisfaction that we find ourselves standing, here today, with our extensive presence in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Our latest developments, in Qatar and Oman, are in line with our decision to provide exemplary service.
This commitment, and the ever growing demand for storage, has driven CSS to increase the capacity of our facilities in the Jebel Ali Free Zone. As a result we have equipped ourselves with an additional 40,000 sq.ft, warehouse facility and 100,000 sq. ft. open yard storage, ready for our customers’ occupation. This is an opportune time to announce the availability of this huge facility as we are on the doorstep of our annual Sales Strategy Meet. Whilst the management and team-heads plan and design concepts and ideas, to take up new challenges and face the existing demands of the industry, CSS commends this new Jebel Ali Free Zone addition as our latest offering towards boosting the commerce and industry of the Middle East economy.
The world of logistics is moving at such a fast pace, that companies are compelled to form specialised task forces. Such a move will effectively combine the knowledge and skill based workforces in order to cope with this invigorating environment. Although we appreciate the demands concerning the urgency of products and services, we know it’s the results that are paramount. This is invariably the primary focus of our discussions; which is why our Sales Strategy Meet always proves to be a valuable opportunity to present what we have achieved, as well as what we have in store as our future strategy.

Open Yard Storage In Jebel Ali From CSS Group

css-dubaiThe new open yard storage facility inside the Jebel Ali Free zone is CSS Group’s latest contribution to the ever growing demand for open yard storage requirements in the UAE. More than 100,000 Square feet area is allocated within the free zone premises and commissioned along with the Consolidated Shipping Services new Regional headquarters. The facility is a welcome initiative when it comes to requirements like the storage of large cargo such as machinery, construction materials equipment, automobiles and other heavy duty equipment. The company ensures all safety measures to the convenience of the customer.
The open yard facility is fully fenced and interlocked with sufficient lighting and is monitored by a 24 hour on-site security team. The location of the open yard is near R/A- 07 JAFZA North and adjacent to Jebel Ali Port general cargo berth. “We have always ensured maximum client satisfaction in all our initiatives. Our new addition to the existing facilities can be seen as a contribution from CSS, towards the ever growing demand for open yard storage requirements in the UAE region and thereby improve the trade within our industry” mentioned Chandrakala (CK), Director, Operations, CSS Group.

Salient Features

  • Total area of 100,000 Square Feet
  • Full managed by CSS Staff & State of the art equipment
  • 24 hours security
  • Offers short term and long term storage

CSS Group, headquartered in Dubai has become one of the most trusted partners for freight forwarding and logistics among the global fraternity within a short period of time. Professional and dedicated services offered in the field of Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Local & International Land Transportation, Projects Management, Supply Chain Management and Personal Effects Management has brought in accolades and recognition for the entire CSS Group. Being a prominent name in the field of freight forwarding in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, CSS Group has to its credit an enviable list of Global Network Partners. CSS has a dedicated and highly skilled team of over 750 professionals around the globe offering integrated freight forwarding & logistic solutions to varied clientele.

Key Contacts:

 

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CSS Homeward Bound to Launch The 1 CBM Box

css-hwbAre you moving? Relocating? Or simply found your dream home to settle into? The 1 CBM box, another unique new product from CSS HomewardBound, allows you to avoid the clutter of handling multiple packages. Ease of handling a limited number of cartons, Ease of storage and the productivity you gain are just a few of the benefits.

The 1 CBM box can be customised to allow users to hang garments, making it appealing to commercial customers and personal effects alike. In markets where handling cargo is tedious and expensive, the improved efficiency gained using this product is a welcome change.

At CSS HWB, we are offering this product as a DIY packing product, or our renowned packing services are available for this as well.  be it overflow management, for excess cargo or an ideal self-storage solution that you are looking for, the 1CBM box will work for you, improving costs and most importantly adding to the convenience quotient.

“Constant enquiries from the customers regarding the delivery services for items which don’t require huge volume booking made us think for such a novel concept, and we are sure that many people will benefit from this service”, commented Syed Zeeshan, General Manager, CSS Homeward Bound, while speaking about the new concept.

Initially available in the UAE for both local and international relocations, HWB will also be offering customised self-storage solutions using this product at our logistics centre at Al Quoz.  One more innovation from HWB, that will go a long way to making your moving easier. Call us for more details @ 800(CSS)277 or enquire at
info@csshomewardbound.com for more details.

CSS Homeward Bound, the Moving and Relocations division of CSS Group has created a name by itself with their unparalleled service in the Middle East. They offer removal services that suit the requirements of the customers, be it home or office. Their service offerings include Warehousing, Industrial Packing & Crating, Exhibitions & events logistics, Handyman services etc.

CSS Group’s New 3PL Facility in Jafza

jafzaCSS Group announces their latest addition to the 3PL capability, company’s new storage solution at JAFZA has been opened for the industry requirements. Situated alongside their current CSS Bonded CFS, the new facility not only increases their capacity for storage but also improves productivity. The new infrastructure brings in an additional 40,000 Sq. Ft to CSS Group’s existing 3PL facilities in the Middle East. The new facility is having 4660 pallet positions with double deep racking facility.

The company is committed to providing their customers; effective solutions to cater to all their logistics needs and with CSS Group’s extensive network within and outside the UAE and a large pool of skilled man power, the company can create and execute a truly global programme for the Supply Chain Management requirements of their customers. CSS guarantees a cost effective, first in class service from their facilities within JAFZA.

3PL Logistics Solutions from CSS Group

Consolidated Shipping Services Group is one of the leading names in the field of 3PL logistics in the Middle East. With the vast assets in terms of professional manpower and infrastructure, CSS provides the finest 3PL logistics solutions to a cross section of industry giants. Working with CSS brings in benefits for both the customer and supplier through accurate, well-managed inventory and supply chain solutions. CSS Group own and operate one of the largest network of warehouses in the UAE. Our third party logistics offer an integrated solution for assembly, packaging, warehousing, and distribution.



Our Facilities Include

  • Inbound and Outbound transportation
  • Storage area of more than 600,000 Sq. Ft. in the UAE
  • Warehousing (Both Covered & Open Yard)
  • Temperature controlled storage
  • Self-storage facilities for personal effects
  • Freight Bill Auditing/Payment
  • Customs Brokerage
  • Freight Forwarding
  • Customs Clearance


Service offering includes:

  • Strategically located ware house in Jebel Ali Free Zone
  • 3PL services
  • Freight forwarding & Logistics
  • LCL cargo handling facilities
  • 40,000 Sq. Ft. Warehousing facilities
  • 4660 Pallet positions
  • 08 loading bays
  • 100 % Double deep racking system
  • Managed by FINS (Integrated software system developed in house)
  • Staging and reworking area
  • Land Transportation Management
  • Computerized Inventory management
  • Designated space for handling value added services
  • Managed and Operated by CSS Staff and equipment

Key Contacts:


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Transformer Movement

jebel-aliThe Projects team at CSS Group successfully completed a major movement recently.

Six Units of Transformer each of 7 x 2.8 x 3 M and weighing 60 tons each were moved from Jebel Ali to Dubai Hill Substation site and Khor Dubai Substation site. The movement included the installation procedures as well at the site.

As is the practice, extensive study and survey was conducted as part of this movement regarding the Origin, destination and the travel route. Each point of the entire project was carefully assessed to ensure a fool proof and smooth journey of the cargo. The transformers were moved in heavy duty Low Bed Trailers and offloaded using 500 ton crane with super lift. “The entire movement was done overcoming lot of challenges and as usual our team were enthusiastically delivering their best throughout the process” commented Sreenath V, Vice President, Operations & Projects, CSS Group

Prior permissions were taken and escorts were arranged for the entire route. “Our proven expertise in the field of transformer movement brings in quality clients to us. Installation is another area which requires high level of technical expertise. CSS Projects team’s experience and knowledge is the key factor to our high level of success percentage”, commented Raj George, Senior Vice President, Projects Oil & Energy, CSS Group, after the successful project completion.

CSS at FPS AGM,Yangon

yangon

CSS Group representatives attended the recently concluded FPS AGM and conference at Yangon, Myanmar. The meet was organised from the 18th to 21st October 2016.

CSS Group was represented at FPS by Chandrakala (CK), Director, Operations & Ocean Freight and Seshan Janik, Vice President, NVOCC.

FPS Group – one of the largest and longest-established forwarding groups in the world adopted the theme “Strengthen Network with Synergy” for this year’s meet. The four day event comprised of conference, one on one meeting & networking sessions. The most interesting programme as per the delegates attended was the Shwedagon Pagoda Visit and the Yangon Port visit organised on the last day of the event

css-at-fps-agm“In a very uncertain global economic scenario we face, it’s extremely important to have regular overhauling of your contacts to keep the business lively and aggressive. CSS Group has always utilised the opportunity of interacting at the FPS, from day one onwards and we have found it very useful” mentioned Chandrakala (CK).

CSS Group has always seen FPS meetings as a wonderful opportunity to interact with industry fraternity and had never missed the attendance. FPS networking has always proved to be highly productive over the years of CSS operations.

“Networking at the FPS AGM and conference always provides an opportunity to meet new members from some of the regions where we do think about testing our fortune in the future also brushing up our existing relationships happens in such forums  and hence CSS finds it very fruitful to be at this gathering” commented Seshan Janik.

Maersk Line Resumes Service to Iran

The world’s largest container shipping company Maersk Line has resumed calls to Iran after a five-year hiatus and hopes that access to a new, rapidly growing market will help it through the current downturn. Maersk Line is the global container division and the largest operating unit of the A.P. Moller–Maersk Group, a Danish business conglomerate.

“We are excited to announce that we have reinstated our services in Iran. This means that our customers can once again utilize our global network, large fleet of vessels and equipment, weekly departures, superior transit times and innovative suite of e-business solutions, both to and from Iran, subject to country specific regulations,” reads a note on the Copenhagen-based company’s website. The resumption of service to Iran comes nearly a year after Maersk’s 2M Alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Company once again began sailing to the second-largest country in the Middle East.

“Global container trade has matured over the past years and is growing at a slower pace. Iran has the potential to be the market that stands out with faster growth,” Christian Juul-Nyholm, managing director, UAE cluster, Maersk Line, was quoted as saying by JOC.com.

CSS Group Becomes an AFBN Member

afbnAfrican Freight Bridge Network officially announces CSS Group as their member in the Middle East Region. AFBN is the first International freight forwarders network based in the North African region. The network membership offers many benefits to the member companies in the North African region.

“Africa has been the next frontier for us at CSS. A credible network of partners has been on our wish list for a while now. With the AFBN we now have a niche and experienced network of partners, allowing us to enter and explore opportunities.” mentioned Ajay Krishnan, VP Freight Forwarding and Pricing, CSS Group.

This member ship introduces a new member to the best and reliable freight forwarders in Africa. Being a member of AFBN networks will allow you to work only with trusted and specialized freight forwarders from all over the world under the financial and monitoring protection programme of AFBN which secures all financial transactions amongst the members. AFBN networks will secure and protect your money by a credible system as they are accredited and supported by FDRS programme (Forwarders debt recovery system). There are many such benefits announced by this network to member companies.

CSS Group with its worldwide network aims at exploring the opportunities of the prospects offered by the African countries, which they haven’t pursued yet. Consolidated Shipping Group, established in the year 1995, is one of the fastest growing NVOCCs in the region where it operates. CSS Group, headquartered in Dubai has become one of the most trusted partners for freight forwarding and logistics among the global fraternity within a short period of time. Professional and dedicated services offered in the field of Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Local & International Land Transportation, Projects Management, Supply Chain Management and Personal Effects Management has brought in accolades and recognition for the entire CSS Group. Being a prominent name in the field of freight forwarding in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, CSS Group has to its credit an enviable list of Global Network Partners. CSS has a dedicated and highly skilled team of over 750 professionals around the globe offering integrated freight forwarding & logistic solutions to varied clientele.

CSS Sales Strategy Meet 2016

planningEach year, CSS Group gathers for its annual CSS Sales Strategy Meet whereby the management teams from all of its global offices get together for two days for divisional meetings, presentations, case studies, team building activities and an overall review of the current and next year’s strategies. The Sales strategy meet will be held in Dubai this year

The theme for this year’s strategy meet is “Planning, Precision & Performance” which was chosen as it reflects the need of the hour when the entire logistics industry is facing hard challenges in its path of growth. The theme was decided by an in-house competition, whereby all staff was requested to provide theme’s for this year’s strategy meet. “Planning, Precision & Performance” was suggested by Ms. Steffin John who works as the Sales Executive in Dubai.

Over the years, the management has been fortunate enough to organize the Strategy Meets in various countries across continents. From the sandy beaches of Goa, India, to the picturesque Arabian Sea and gulf countries on a cruise liner, to the serene and tranquil environment of Sri Lanka, and obviously in the God’s own country, Kerala. After many years, the Strategy Meet is being conducted in Dubai itself on the 18th and 19th of November 2016. The logo for this year’s Strategy Meet has been selected and released by the Senior Management.

Mahabali Crystal Award

Onam pookkalam competition at css offices
onam
The enthusiastic team at the CSS Logistics, won this year’s Mahabali Crystal Award for the best Pookkalam (Kerala Traditional Flower Carpet) created in connection with the Onam celebrations. While CSS Head office team won the Second runner up award, the first runner up went to CSS Kingston Logistics, Sharjah.
twin-info-solutions
Every year, in connection with Onam celebrations, at CSS Group, a competition is being held amongst all offices for bagging the best creator of Pookkalam on the main day of Onam, ie; Thiruvonam. Each office engages their best creative team to create amazingly beautiful designs only with flower. The photographs later on will be scrutinised by judging panel who will eventually declare the winners of the first three positions.
Snap shots from the competition arena are shown here.
cslc-1
THE WINNERS : CSS LOGISTICS
Quote from the Judges.
“The biggest factor of this competition was the pookalam design, all the offices were very good but the extra points go to CSS Logistics for their creative work.”
css-logistics
FIRST RUNNER UP : CSS KINGSTON
Quote from the Judges.
“Very close to first place! But lost few points on the Pookalam design even though CSS Kingston overall ambience was the best.”
css-kingston
SECOND RUNNER UP : CSS HEAD OFFICE
Quote from the Judges.
“CSS Head Office Pookalam design far outnumbered the rest with the colour coordination and their design.”
css-head-office

Macros VS Micros

rahat-talrejaThe year 2014 looked tired. There was a feeling that things have reached a top rapidly and therefore we were entering a long phase of consolidation for economies and businesses across the world after the golden decade of 2004-2014.

It quickly dawned upon all that 2015 is even slower than 2014. The year saw fresh addition of equity and debt to balance sheets across the spectrum of economies and businesses. Existing capital was not performing in line.

And as the year 2015 eventually sunk in, people soon realised that 2016 was even slower. Actually threatening world economies and you have seen that the most active participants in the year were central banks, on whom a lot depended to let liquidity bail us all out of the slowdown.

2016 mellowed ambition and let pragmatism set into economies. All capital in the world realised that beggars cannot be choosers. Preservation of capital became central over Return on capital. Emerging markets offered short term returns on world capital but corresponding currency depreciation over the last 30 months eroded that significantly.

Let me turn the focus now on India specifically. The Indian economy was responding to this new phase of consolidation and distribution. Why not? 52 % of the sales of the top 100 Nifty (Indian stock index) companies came from exports. Also domestic consumption was muted and savings also took a hit since sustenance expenditure elevated due to real estate inflation. By the way the inflation which we calculate is based on farm and factory output data which is obsolete in today’s times to calculate urban inflation. When you sit and have a 300 Rupee coffee, you pay for the real estate on which you sit and not the coffee itself. So to take farm output cost of coffee will never reveal the real picture.

But if you ask me, how does all of the above matter at all. It is only good academic data and can be used to talk at social events where everybody has something to say on how economy and country should be running. Then eat food, gulp your drink and go home. Macros matter but Micros are the real test of your mettle.

And this brings me to individual businesses. We saw all of them realign to the newer market realities. Over stretched companies collapsed. Rightly allocated ones survived. But there are a whole lot of companies who actually became more efficient and profitable in this macro environment.

The non-performers always hide using the macro slowdown and emerge taking credit during the macro boom. But the real fighters are those businesses who use all events to their efficient realignment.

In my view, any company turning less than USD 20 million remains largely unaffected due to any macro events on the global or domestic economy level. Their industry macro decides their micro. Let me give an example: There were two boys in the same college. One dull, the other very bright. After 20 years, they met. The dull boy went on to become a senior executive of a construction company and the bright boy was the top executive of an airline. Needless to say, the dull boy was doing far better for himself because his industry macro supported him more.

What is basically required in dull times are:

Honesty: This is a building block to be courageous. We have to accept realities as they are and in their right context rather than masquerading them without own bias and inhibitions.

Courage: To take bold decisions. Brash is not bold. In fact it’s the opposite. Bold is to do what is required and not do what shouldn’t be done. Sounds clichéd but it needs real courage to do it.

Sharp analytical skills: To take the right decisions. Many pound foolish and penny wise decisions are purely due to lack of any meaningful analysis.

Change: Randomness is not change. In fact keeping business fundamentals constant are a good measure of change. Also change should meaningfully and tangibly yield a result and not just alter emotional situations.

Perform: From top to bottom, everybody has a role to play and needs to perform to his best ability. Ability to recognise ability and be secure about it is the hallmark of all successful business leaders. In fact, it is by standing on their shoulders of giants that one sees the world.

Be Strong: Strong is not speech power, it is will power. Strong is not talking, it is silence. Strong is not intimidation, it is accommodation. Strong is not indulgence, it is restraint. Strong is not rhetoric, it is reality. Strong is not intelligence, it is wisdom.

2017 approaches.

I wish everyone realigns and hope that India Inc reaches its full potential. To all my fellow business brethren, this is a small poem. I hope it gives hope to all.

He Fell.
He Faltered,
But didn’t Fail.
He waited.
Waited for Long.
Almost Forever.
And then it came,
His time.
Under the Sun.

3 PL Solutions From CSS Abu Dhabi

Consolidated shipping services group is one of the leading names in the field of 3pl logistics in the Middle East. With the vast assets in terms of professional manpower and infrastructure, CSS provides the finest 3PL logistics solutions to a cross section of industry giants.
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Advantages for the customer:

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For Enquiries, Please contact:

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