Mission Accomplished

CSS IT has migrated it’s ERP from I-Pack to FINS

CSS Group IT department has confirmed the upgradation procedure of their software has been completed. In a recent statement released by the CSS IT Dept., the new version namely FINS will have an array of innovative features and facilities, than its predecessor I-Pack. The final migration happened on the first week of July 2016, whereby all users of FINS will benefit with the modified system.

The company has been using the software, which was developed in-house by their IT professionals some years back. Since then the system has been put on test for constant upgrades and incorporating novel features.  FINS will be used by all CSS offices in the Middle East and the Indian Sub-continent.

FINS takes pride in having novel features like browser compatibility, all format report generation, personalised screen colours and enhanced speed along with some other new features like calculator, improved memory management system and user friendly forms.  FINS has the ability to offer you a one-stop-solution across many business related applications, such as Human Resources, Payroll, Finance & Fixed Assets, Construction, Warehousing & Distribution, and General Freight Forwarding.

The system has the capacity for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), the transfer of data between different companies using networks, such as the Internet. EDI becomes increasingly important as an easy mechanism for companies to carry out their core businesses. FINS, deployed on a web server, has the advantage in offering integrated services, capturing all transactions in a single module, for any company involved.

Destination Wedding

CSS FAMILY RECENTLY WITNESSED A FAIRY TALE LIKE WEDDING AT PHUKET

Destination weddings are becoming the buzzword in the Indian Culture as well. Recently CSS got lucky to witness a destination wedding. T S Kaladharan, Chairman of CSS Group arranged her daughter’s wedding in the dream like, exotic destination of Phuket.

He wanted his daughter Sasikala to wed Britto in a location he was particularly fond of – Phuket, the idyllic paradise in Thailand. Phuket – a tropical paradise in Thailand known for its mesmerising aqua blue waters, white sand beaches, glorious mountain views and the heart-warming Thai smiles!

Sasikala, daughter of Mr T S Kaladharan & Mrs Devika Kaladharan, was born and brought up in Dubai. After completing her graduation from Raffles Design Institute – Singapore, she joined the family business and currently heads the marketing division in Dubai. Britto, the eldest son of the South Indian movie producer Mr Satheesh Kuttiyil and Adv. Syra Satheesh, was born and brought up in Kerala. After completing his bachelor’s in aerospace engineering from Nottingham University, he stepped up to become a noted research scientist at Montan University, Austria.

The bride’s family hired Rainmaker Weddings to plan and organise the event. Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, two exquisite havens overlooking the breaking sounds of the waves on the famed Phuket beaches were the venues of the function.

The entire event comprised of a North Indian and Thai fused Mehendi ceremony named Daawat-E-Mehendi, for which the couple were accompanied to the venue by Serng Kratip Khoa performers – North Eastern Thai long drum musicians and dancers. The event ended with guests dancing to Bollywood music by Kerala-based DJs Ryan & Shamil. Next was the event Sangeeth, which was themed South Indian– Why This Kolaveri Nite for which the couple and their friends danced to choreographed numbers and the rockband Thaikkudam Bridge kept the gathering on their toes. The conventional Hindu Kerala wedding and Sadhya termed as the Maangalyam Sadhya and, the finale, traditional Thai wedding called Thai Vows followed by Cherry Blossom themed western reception named as Sakura Ball.

The event was well attended by invited guests, friends and family from around the globe and the invited staff members from CSS Group, company’s stake holders and network partners. Renowned personalities from the Indian film industry and Politics were among the guests. CSS Group wishes the couple a happy and joyful wedded life.

Why GRI is More Important Than GST For The Logistics Industry

There is a unique relation between all organs in the human body. They always go through the central leadership of the brain who directs them to act in a certain way and react in a certain way to an external stimulus. This is the standard procedure and in existence since mankind itself.

But two organs have turned out to be breaching this protocol for the last few years. Some outsiders (Social media avenues like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc.) have motivated them. These controversial organs in cahoots with each other are:

Ears

Tongue

What they have done is, they have become hand in glove with each other and skipped the intermediate link of involving the brain. So ears listen and tongue reacts instantly. Read a tweet, react. Read a post, react. Read a message, react. And react FAST. This is the new chaos called social media.

I remember, earlier days, if some people were fighting outside the railway station, suddenly a crowd would appear and in 7-8 minutes, all were giving “solutions” and in 11-12 minutes all were fighting with each other.

Same thing is happening, but not necessarily outside the rail station.

Now the point i want to make is: This rhetoric, which is aggravated by the noise around it, is about GST legislation in India. Suddenly, everyone and his uncle think that this will be very good for the logistics sector.

I will speak for our sector only in context of GST. The buzz is:

• Due to a “One Nation, One Tax “theory, all indirect taxes will be subsumed and therefore there will be ease of operations and flow of goods and services.

Remember – one nation one tax is a good theory but look within and see the difference of opinion and chaos within your own house, office, society, club, village, town. Accounts department doesn’t agree with marketing teams so how will centre and state agree and work without chaos is to be seen to be believed.

• Since goods and services will flow freely, a unified National Logistics policy will come in leading to organisation of the industry.

All i have seen in my observation of industry is that whenever a “policy “or “ organised “sector is tried to be created, the small, middle, tertiary level players get exhausted and only the large fish remain. If this is good or bad, you decide but I think it is necessary to have industry at every level of operation, especially in a country like India, where entrepreneurs are at each level.

• Then due to this policy, 100% FDI in warehousing will be possible, 3PL and 4 PL will get a boost with the entry of multinationals etc. Look, the listed players who are ready for it will benefit. But the industry as a whole will be further cornered and narrowed.

Also, never forget that FDI is just a policy. It doesn’t guarantee FDI. Look at the real estate prices on which warehouses are built which are higher than London, New York, Tokyo and I doubt if anyone will want to pay a price for it, knowing very well that the final pricing power of warehouses to customers is nil.

That brings me to a larger point:

GST is only a tax situation. Tax alone is not the Business. If the Business is there, tax comes in the picture. There are four constant players in any business:

•     Shareholders – Real owner
•     Managements and Employees – executors
•     Tax – government
•     Customers – consumers

This doesn’t change. What changes is that according to the macro and micro dynamics of that industry, the share of revenue is distributed. Let me illustrate with an example:

Let’s say in Logistics: The denominant is INR 100. The year is 2016. The Base year is 2001.

Customers benefit the most because of no pricing power. So they have almost 45 bucks of this 100 – which in 2001 would be 15 since there was no competition and logistics companies had pricing power.

Management & Employee costs have escalated over the decade so as of today; they corner 35 bucks which was 5 bucks in 2001.

Tax: new taxes like service tax have come in and direct taxes have also gone up so this corners 15 of that 100 today which was 10 in 2001.

What remains is Shareholders or Owners who have the balance 5 out of the 100 today. I am not just saying. The Net Profit After tax component of the large listed players in India and around the world is in low single digits like 5%. This in 2001 was 70 if you do the reverse math.

These 70 out of 100 enabled them to buy offices, land, warehouses, equipment etc. and the asset prices appreciated over the years. Ask a promoter today to invest 150 crores for a warehouse and then hunt for business without pricing power on the back of discounts and he will rather do nothing than hit himself on his own toe.

So what is needed?

A business situation in logistics needs to change. Pricing power needs to come in which i don’t see coming anytime soon, maybe never. It looks like the best is behind us. On immediate basis, that business situation is GRI (General Rate Increase)

That happens when demand picks up and supply can’t catch up and the business situation changes for the better. Everyone makes better profits when prices are higher. You may argue that LCL rates never go up but see your own P&L statements over the years and realise that when the prices were higher, the going was the best.

So to my mind, a business situation needs to better, not a tax situation like GST.

GRI as of now is much anticipated than GST.

But you won’t listen to me because print, digital, broadcast and social media are all shouting: GST best for Logistics. All stocks have run up in anticipation. Companies in the business of Market Cap, congratulations. You can do one thing for me at least: You don’t breach the brain in this sinful partnership of the ears and tongue.

Like!

Hapag-Lloyd Merger Reveals UASC’S Huge Net Losses

The United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) suffered an operating loss of US $299-million and a net loss of US $384-million in 2015 off of a revenue of US $3.32-billion.

The figures were revealed by Hapag-Lloyd as part of its obligatory disclosures as a public company before an upcoming Annual General Meeting, scheduled to be held in Hamburg at the end of August.

At the meeting, the German carrier will seek shareholders’ approval to amend its capital structure to complete a planned merger with UASC.

UASC has until now never disclosed its financial results as the shipping line is privately owned by six GCC states. The depth of its underperformance will likely cause some hesitancy among Hapag-Lloyd shareholders.

A negative operating margin of -9.0% makes UASC the worst performer among all main container carriers that have published financial results for 2015.

UASC’s poor financial performance has continued in 2016 with an operating loss of US $132-million and net loss of US $201-million on revenues of US $1.5-billion in the first six months of the year.

Khalifa Port Expansion To Bring The World’S Largest Ships To Abu Dhabi



Nearly four years after it first opened for business, Abu Dhabi’s vast Khalifa Port container terminal is to be expanded to accommodate the world’s largest ships.

Abu Dhabi Ports, the government-owned company that runs the US$7 billion terminal, has announced plans to expand the port’s quay wall so that it can handle more cargo and to dredge the port to make it two metres deeper.

In a statement on Saturday, Abu Dhabi Ports said that it planned to build 1,000 metres of quay wall, adding 600,000 square metres of space for cargo handling and deepen its main channel and basin to 18 metres from the current 16 metres.

The company has signed a contract with the National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) to start preparatory work on dredging the channels and using this material to build the new quay wall and a yard behind it.

The work, which will involve 250 workers, is scheduled to be completed in mid2018.

The expansion is part of ambitious plans for Khalifa Port, which replaced Abu Dhabi’s 1960s built Port Zayed as the city’s main container port in December 2012 with the capacity to handle 2 million containers a year and is projected to have the capacity to handle 15 million a year by 2030.

Singapore Bunker Market Players Establish New Association

Singapore’s bunker market has formed a new industry association, Association of Bunker Industry (Singapore) (ABIS), to improve and address the needs of the industry.

The new group said its core aims are to focus on working with small and medium-sized bunker firms so as to improve their business services, as well as working with national bodies to raise industry standards, and develop and deliver training programs for its members.

Kwok Fook Sing, honorary secretary of ABIS, said the new bunker association comprises of all bunker-related stakeholders, ranging from suppliers, shipowners, bunker buyers, traders, surveyors, fuel testers, legal counsels and mass flow meter (MFM) vendors.

Impact Of Gst On Indian Logistics Industry

The logistics industry in India is growing slowly but steadily, with introduction of E- commerce , Economic reformation by proposed GST , Initiative like “ MAKE IN INDIA”. Today we will see what positive & negative impacts can happen in Logistics Market for Modi Government’s proposed GST which will be implemented from 2017 calendar year….

Logistic Industry in India is primarily categorized into warehousing, land/road transportation, freight forwarding & value added service in which transportation contributes almost 60% on whole logistics part in India followed by almost 25% on warehousing, 10% on freight forwarding & rest 5% on value added services.

Currently Logistic Industry is suffering from various issues like (a) Complex Tax structure within states in India ( b) Poor Infrastructure (c) Poor / strict Custom efficiency and procedure of Customs , thus being a lower cost service proving country actually logistics cost in India is higher than many countries compared to European Countries.

Positive impacts what we can expect for implementation of GST…

1.  Indian Road/ Rail transport will be highly beneficial due to removal of multiple/ combined taxes like State entrance Tax/ Chungi/ Octroi/ Exise Duty/ Countervailing duty/ Service Tax, Value added tax/ luxury tax etc.

Currently if we combine Centre & State tax for most of the goods it works out to be 26.5 %( Cenvat 14% & VAT 12.5%), whereas post GST implementation the same is expected to reduce to standard rate of about 18-21% which will be levied on most goods and all services.

2.  Due to trade barriers such as Entry Tax/Local Body Tax/OCTROI and other hurdles trucks lie idle for 30-40% as per schedule , whereas post GST this will be phased out and logistics time will be improved resulting in improvement in operational efficiency through quicker and increased number of deliveries along with reduction in logistic cost during the transit.

3.  Inter-state TAX in India forced corporate to create & maintain warehouses in each state, as per a recent study currently there are around 20-30 warehouses per company, one in every state resulting supply chain must longer & Cost inefficient, but after implementation of GST logistics costs are expected to be decreased at least by 2% which can result immense scope of improvement in India’s Supply Chain management industry.

Small but short term negative impacts of GST Implementation.

1.  Importers in India will face a hard time which they import goods from Outside India due to Implementation of GST, because after GST the current Educational & Excise Tax of 15% on Import Duty will be charged between 18-21 % resulting increase of overall Custom duty which will result in increased cost in Imported materials.

2.  Currently India is not fully IT oriented country , still there are a large number of Trade players who are not organized, they will face major challenges as Logistics Industry is highly competitive which leaves little headroom for margin improvement.

CONCLUSION:

Implementation of GST in INDIA is an overall  welcome initiative by the Indian Government for the collective growth of the country, the rollout of GST, in India would dissolve the existing various indirect tax structure, i.e. multiple taxes that is being split between center & state governments leading to reduction of about 20% of current logistics costs.

Due to high Import duty after implementation of GST, Indian manufacturing industry will look out for Indian sources for RAW MATERIAL, instead of importing, which will actually strengthening the Rupees in World market.

Deliberating on holistic view the implementation of GST would help the entire Logistic industry in improving the operational efficiency thus cutting the logistics cost & expanding the business prospect through consolidation of logistic players.

Good Bye Stress

We all know that whether our office is lively, dull or easy-going we have days when things just do not seem to go right. At such times our stress levels rise and as a consequence our work suffers. Let’s face it we would all appreciate a less stressful day at the office. On such occasions an extra bit of ‘umph’ to jolly us along, would be very welcome.  It’s therefore of little wonder that lots of ongoing research takes place to see how this ‘umph’ may be provided. So here are three suggestions, from many, that are designed to stimulate ideas which may enhance a work place environment.

PLANTS IN THE OFFICE

The first one is a simple solution arising from research carried out by an Australian University that focused on the benefits of having plants in our offices. It concluded that plants, being present in the work place, not only helped purify the air but also added focal points and created identifiable spaces. Plants are known to be a source of tranquillity where a casual, almost subconscious, look can trigger inner peace. The Australian study determined that plants in the office reduced the adverse effect of a whole range of feelings including anxiety, anger, depression, stress and fatigue. Just one plant, per work space, can provide a good lift to staff spirits whilst at the same time promoting wellbeing.  The choice of plant is important depending on how much time one wishes to devote to looking after them. Ideally plants which only occasionally flower are better avoided. Seeing them come into bloom is upwardly stimulating but when the flowers start to wilt the emotional uplift is dampened. However if an office has a team member with ‘green fingers’ then maintaining a regular recycling of floral greenery displays will be a welcome assignment.

HOLDING A COLOUR DAY

This second suggestion is more team focused and allows for fun without occasioning any direct impact on working practices. Having a day when everyone in your department agrees to wear something of the same colour is bound to bring some interesting surprises. If there is an overall feeling that a more determined approach is needed then everyone should be asked to wear something red. It could be red socks, shirt, tie, dress, shoes or even an item of jewellery – anything, as long as it is red.  The variations will no doubt raise at least a chuckle and woe betides anyone who forgets. The choice of colours for your work place colour day should be picked to suit a team’s emotional needs. This brief look at the emotional meanings of colours will give you the idea:-

RED – Strength, energy, determination, decision making.
YELLOW – Loyalty, light-hearted, attention impact.
ORANGE – Joy, enthusiasm, creativity.
GREEN – Safety, growth, finance.
PURPLE – Luxury, power, ambition.
BLUE – Wisdom, trust, confidence.
BLACK – Power, elegance, authority.
WHITE – Perfection, goodness.

Choosing a colour will let everyone else know, who is into the secret, what your objectives are for your colour day. It’s bound to favourably impact on success.

PETS AT WORK

The third suggestion is bringing a pet to work. A British pet food company’s research revealed that some 40% of UK workers said that having a pet in their office would make them feel less stressed. It may be impossible for an office to adopt a pet but a staff member, bringing in their pet for the day, can have a wonderful interactive effect on others. It’s said that the next time you are stressed, perhaps because of a monthly meeting deadline, then reaching down to stroke a cat or pat a dog sets aside any unhelpful stress.

Still, whatever ideas this article may have stimulated for you, eliminating stress completely is not realistically possible. However we owe it to ourselves and our colleagues to see how we may say ‘goodbye’ to stress. By trying meaningful ways of injecting some ‘umph’, into our day to day routine, we may help each other to feel more contented at work; not least because it’s never too late to start.

The Impact Of Brexit On Shipping

A much talked about topic these days is the exit of Britain from the European Union (EU). The European Union is made up of 28 member states and on June 23rd 2016, the people of Britain voted for the exit of Britain (also referred as “BREXIT”) from the European Union, after being with EU for almost 43 years.Since the finality of the process of exiting the EU, will take about 2 year; this is the perfect time for individuals and companies engaged in the shipping industry to have a better understanding of the “Impact of BREXIT”.

A number of major hubs of the shipping industry lie within the European Union, namely Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Piraeus; the world’s largest Container / Passenger Ports. As aforesaid the European Union consisted of 43 member states and these member states were exempted from taxes or duty while trading with the member states that are within the European Economic Area.. However, with the exit of Britain from the European Union, it is not clear, whether these trade exemptions would still be applicable with regard to the UK.

Further, the Contracts / Agreements have already been entered into by the Companies in the UK, with Companies in the European Union may now have to be amended. . For example, Shipping Contracts, that allow for trading within certain geographical areas in the EU, should now specifically define, if this area in the EU includes, the UK or not. Since the Contracts/Agreements are binding on the parties to it, there is a need to be vigilant while amending these Contracts/Agreements so as to avoid any confusion or ambiguity that would arise in the future.

In the past, when disputes arose, and the concerned parties approached the Courts, they were prohibited from conducting parallel proceedings in the Courts of more than one European Union member state. This rule was applicable to proceedings that were initiated on the same issue concerning the dispute. This is based on the legal principle of “Res Sub-judice”, which in Latin means ‘under judgment’. It denotes that a matter or case is being considered by court or judge; when two or more cases are filed between the same parties on the same subject matter, the competent court has power to stay proceeding. However, with the exit of Britain from the European Union, it is not clear, whether Britain would elect to apply the Res Sub-judice rule to the parties, with regard to disputes both within and outside the European Union In order to avoid any such ambiguity in the future, it is advisable to have a clear mention of the Jurisdiction Clause, in all legal documents.

Conclusion:

As stated before, the process of Britain’s exit, is currently only on paper and would take a minimum of two years, to come into effect, hence these two years can be prudently utilised to understand the two “W’s” – “WHO” & “WHAT” shall be affected with the exit of Britain? We can further apprise ourselves of the legal implications and take possible and necessary steps to overcome the impact.

Chairman’S Message

T S Kaladharan

 

It is in challenging times that the true merit of a company comes shining through. Whilst there has been a general sluggish trend in our industry, the past few months have proved to be really encouraging for CSS Group because we have been successfully creating a road map for areas of development.  This has not happened by accident but by sticking to demonstrably ethical principles and a belief in our management and staff.
In this context the current buzz phrase is ‘customised development of talent’. This is something we have been doing, within CSS, for years. Its present-day title only recently came into prominence but, ensuring that the right people are in the right roles and have the right capabilities; has always been part of our ethos. By keeping open continuous dialogue between management and staff, so that everyone feels engaged and recognises that their role is appreciated, raises mutual benefits for all of us. By encouraging opportunities to promote, from within our company, also significantly increases the likelihood of achieving ones goals.
A recent study revealed that many companies, who proved to be initially successful, degenerated over the years either because of bad management, poor managerial practices or a combination of both.  Within CSS, over the past twenty years, by applying the principles of customised development of talent we have successfully created a team of leaders. Our staff efficiency and trust worthiness is well known throughout the industry. This is why our identification of growth opportunities deserves acclaim.
We have made significant progress in the UAE. Furthermore as part of expanding our wings; CSS will soon have an operational presence in both Muscat and Qatar. I am confident that we can keep this pace going forward.  Undoubtedly an ability to engage all staff equally and responsively, an aspect that is ingrained in our philosophy, will spur us onwards towards new horizons.

Achievement Award From Skycargo


Emirates SkyCargo presented its top agents with special achievement awards at a dedicated event held on 26th March 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, Dubai. These awards recognise the important role of cargo agents and forwarders in contributing to the airline’s success during the year 2015.

In congratulating the top performing forwarders from across the country, Emirates SkyCargo presented Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C. an award in recognition to their continued support, a testament to the commitment of CSS in offering a quality product using a premium service.  T S Kaladharan, Chairman and Ajay Krishnan, Vice President Freight forwarding represented the group company at this auspicious event.

Accepting this honour T S Kaladharan commented, “We are extremely proud to be honored by Emirates SkyCargo in recognition to our continued support towards the growing Air Cargo industry. The constant efforts and long term business relationship is a true testament to our partnership towards success”.

The awards were presented by Duncan Watson, Vice President Middle East and Americas and Badoor Al Maazmi, Manager Cargo UAE representing Emirates SkyCargo. The annual agent awards are an important part of the Emirates SkyCargo award calendar and an opportunity to recognize all cargo agents for their tremendous contributions in supporting the on-going success of the award-winning carrier.

“Winning is a habit, as clichéd as it may sound – it is true at CSS, Even more now as we push our way to becoming a regional powerhouse. We thank Emirates Airline for the support extended to us, and we are looking forward to growing an already significant relationship that we share with Emirates Airlines,” Commented Ajay Krishnan.

About Emirates SkyCargo:

Since services commenced in 1985, Emirates SkyCargo has built a reputation for leading the industry in innovation, flexibility and service. It has received numerous international awards, including ‘Cargo Airline of the Year 2013’ (Air Cargo Week), ‘Cargo Airline of the Year 2013’, ‘Best Middle East Cargo Airline’ (both Air Cargo News), ‘Best Air Cargo Carrier Middle East’ (AFSCA), ‘Cargo Operator of the Year’ (SCATA) and ‘Air Cargo Excellence Award’ (Air Cargo World). With many more awards from prestigious organizations.

Emirates’ 250-strong fleet is one of the youngest in the skies, now serving 155 destinations in 81 countries on six continents. In September 2015, Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of its thirteenth Boeing 777F, bringing its fleet to 15 freighters (two Boeing 747-400ERF and thirteen 777Fs). Scheduled freighter services now operate to 53 destinations in 39 countries.

Breakbulk Europe 2016

Breakbulk Europe is the largest exhibition & educational forum in the world addressing the needs of traditional Breakbulk and project cargo logistics professionals.  Breakbulk also serves as an excellent networking platform for shipping and logistics professionals and has also played host to the formation of agreements and identification of new agents for participating companies.

Narayan, Raj George and Siby Kurian

At Antwerp, CSS Participated as trade visitors this time and held important meetings and discussions with key Breakbulk players. The exhibition was held from 23rd to 26th May this year. CSS Group was represented by Raj George Sr. Vice President Projects, Oil & Energy, Siby C Kurian Vice President Sales & Marketing and Narayan R T General Manager CSS Bahrain.

“Breakbulk Europe is certainly an important event for CSS and we never miss that, as it is the ideal venue for CSS to identify potential clients, gain a deeper understanding of international market trends in specialized fields, and more importantly create avenues for new business opportunities within all our sectors,” said Raj George.

Since 2009, CSS Group has participated in numerous Breakbulk Exhibitions held around the globe including Singapore, China, North and South America and Europe. Participating in key exhibitions such as Breakbulk provides CSS Group the platform on which they can showcase the vast majority of the services they offer to potential customers and clients within this booming sector.

“This Breakbulk was an extremely interactive and an engaging exhibition, which is why it is rated as one the most vital exhibitions in the shipping and logistics list of events.  We had excellent networking opportunities as well at Antwerp,” mentioned Siby Kurian.

As part of its contribution to the shipping and logistics industry, Breakbulk Europe also provides educational seminars to its participants that cover key topics which are pertinent to the industry that has an ever changing business landscape due to regulatory rules, advances in technology etc.  In the Breakbulk Europe 2016, participants had the chance to learn about the current business challenges & opportunities facing shippers within the traditional Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo markets.

“Breakbulk exhibition and the entire event grow every year with the number of participants that it attracts. Also energy and enthusiasm was seen all around the European trade in Shipping and Logistics. We too can be confident and expect that an upward graph is not too far away,” commented Narayan R T.

This year was no different with excellent networking events, an increase in participation from last year. As per the official records more than 7200 participants attended the exhibition in the year 2015 and the number could be even more this year.

Growing Auto Logistics at CSS

A recent specialized vertical for the CSS Group, the auto logistics  segment has been showing some remarkable progress during the recent months. From the “auto racks” which allow for effective and environmental friendly loading of vehicles in shipping containers to specialized handling of high end vehicles, door to door, the CSS Group is slowly becoming a trusted name in “auto logistics” in the region.

In an earlier edition CSS had showcased their product in association with a partner, using the auto-racking system for loading up to 4 vehicles in a container. The advantage of this process was a damage free transport of vehicles from origin to destination. CSS group has now gone ahead with value added services, which include vehicle wrapping and specialized lashing for high end vehicles as well. They are currently engaged in a project of transporting 16 brand new McLaren Super cars, their growing expertise in handling this segment of the car industry was a prime reason for CSS to be awarded with the job.

The new infrastructure at CSS, the 10,000 Sq.mt open yard in Jebel Ali – is geared to handle receipt, storage and operations for auto logistics. This facility combined with their new warehousing facility at JAFZA, which will be operational soon, gives an unparalled infrastructure to cater to this segment of the business in the region. CSS facilities at Sharjah, including a covered area suited for storage of vehicles and the open yard are already popular with customers looking for safe and secure handling of vehicles.

“This has been a relatively large vertical in our industry here in the region, while we have taken our time to enter this market we intend to offer our customers a quality product. We have the necessary infrastructure in place to allow this, and I do believe we can create a niche for ourselves in this vast segment.  There is definitely more to come from us – Drive Safe”, commented Ajay Krishnan Vice President Freight forwarding CSS Group, while talking to Lighthouse regarding auto logistics at CSS.

CSS Group at GPLN

GPLN concluded successfully their 13th Annual General Meeting at the Marriott Hotel Grand Place in the heart of Brussels where a multitude of GPLN members, sponsors and media representatives from around the world had plenty of networking opportunities during intense meetings and social events to maintain existing and established new contacts that will benefit greatly their business. The attendance of 170 GPLN delegates speaks itself for the quality of the network and their highly skilled project forwarders.
The event started on May 21 with a day trip to Ghent, before a cocktail reception took place in the evening to welcome all attending delegates. The following morning the delegates heard presentations from Rickmers-Linie, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), Ruslan International, Maersk Lines and TII Group, who gave a brief overview of the benefits of using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) to move heavy and oversize cargoes around the world by road. After an afternoon of one-on-one meetings, delegates were treated to a gala dinner at the restaurant “La Manufacture” in Brussels. The event concluded on May 23 with a second day of one-on-one meetings.

Ranjith Pillai, Narayan and Raj George

The photo contest of the annual cap competition was won by GPLN member Dako Worldwide Transport from Germany, showing the transportation of a 185 ton cement mill to Russia which had a length of 18.5m, a diameter of 5.7m, and a total height of almost 6m.
GPLN also conducted a Heavy Lift Maritime and Transport Seminar on May 24 at the Marriott Hotel Grand Place.
GPLN brings together project cargo experts and independent project logistics specialist companies from around the world, all of whom have an expert focus on project logistics. This general meeting allows the participant the face-to-face contact with your GPLN partners where you are able to efficiently build professional relationships in the most lasting and cost effective manner.
Raj George, Senior Vice President, Projects, Oil & Energy, CSS Group, Narayan RT, General Manager CSS Bahrain and Renjith Pillai, Branch Manager, CSS Abu Dhabi represented  CSS Group during the three day GPLN Annual Global Meeting.
“GPLN is always a wonderful platform that provides great opportunities to discuss and formulize new ideas related to projects forwarding. We have pleasure in being a part of this network and gain a lot of mileage from attending the annual meet regularly,” Raj George mentioned.

Smart Palm and CSS

CSS Group takes pride in associating with the logistics service support to the most awaited Smart Palm project in Dubai. CSS role was to coordinate the packing and Transportation from the factory in Suzhou, China directly to the prep yard in Umm Suqeim. This was done in a timely and efficient manner with a challenging program to be met.

In the old days, we used to hear that a tree provided you shade from the sun and a fresh breath of air, rejuvenating your senses. However, in our ever evolving modern times, a tree is destined to provide you with much more than you bargained for. An artificial palm tree structure dubbed, “The Smart Palm” has been launched by the Dubai Municipality with Dubai based D-Idea. These Smart Palms are part of Dubai’s broader vision of being the world’s first with innovative, sustainable ideas, which transform Dubai into the world’s foremost “Smart City.”

The Smart Palm unit stands at  an impressive six meters in height which also house an array of street furniture, free-wifi, cell phone charging and an area for public service announcements.  Additional personalized information such as weather, local attractions and services within the areas are also available.

Dubai Municipality recently installed them in Jumeriah, Umm Suqueim and has further plans to roll them out across the Emirate.  The Smart Palm is the result of a partnership between Dubai Municipality and D-Idea.  Winsun Global is the supplier for D-Idea and has utilized the CSS Group as the sole logistics provider to facilitate door to door movement of the smart palms.

CSS role was to coordinate the packing and Transportation from the factory in Suzhou, China directly to the prep yard in Umm Suqeim. This was done in a timely and efficient manner with a challenging program to be met. “Being associated with such innovative ventures is really a matter of pride for us at CSS. This is yet another project to prove that CSS is the best service provider when it comes professional movement of cargo” mentioned Tasleem Patka, Business Development Manager, CSS Dubai

According to Director-General of the Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah, 52 more Solar Palms will be installed at various public locations like beaches and parks in the coming months. The Smart Palm has mono-crystal solar panels on top of the “fronds” which get charged in the day light hours providing a sustainable environmentally friendly solution. There are eight charging points in this hub and it can charge gadgets two and a half times faster than ordinary plugs. The Smart Palm is a tribute to the innovative spirit of Dubai and is just the latest urban invention that our growing city has to offer.

The free WiFi network connectivity of Smart Palm has a range of 53 meters with capability of connecting 50 users simultaneously, and is provided by telecom company Du.

3D Printed Office Building

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stated that the UAE has emerged as one of the major incubators of innovation and future technology in the world today, and its focused initiatives to shape the future have become global models that can be emulated in all sectors.

“We implement what we plan, and we pursue actions not theories. The rapidly changing world requires us to accelerate our pace of development, for history does not recognize our plans but our achievements,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said while the opening of the ‘Office of the Future’, the first 3D-printed office in the world.

Consolidated Shipping Services Group got the opportunity to be a part of this novel venture. Being the only selected logistics partner, CSS was able to be associated with this landmark achievement initiated by the visionary leadership of Dubai. CSS moved the 3D walls on Open top containers from its origin in China to the destination in Dubai. Every moment of this movement was meticulously planned and executed by the professional team at CSS.

The 2,700-square-foot, single-story building was built in just 17 days using a gigantic, 20-foot tall 3D printer and a special mix of concrete, fiber reinforced plastic and glass fiber reinforced gypsum.

Although the “printer” was massive at about two stories tall, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide, it only needed one staffer to make sure it was functioning properly. The rest of the 18-person construction crew consisted of installers, electricians and mechanical engineers who completed the job for a mere $140,000 in construction and labor costs — or about half the price of a comparable structure built with conventional methods. Of course, the building is more than just another gold star in the UAE’s ultramodern play land — it will also serve, appropriately enough, as the temporary headquarters for the Dubai Future Foundation. Next year, the structure is scheduled to become the home of Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

“This is the first 3D-printed building in the world, and it’s not just a building, it has fully functional offices and staff,” the UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mohamed Al Gergawi said. According to Gergawi, Dubai plans to have 25 percent of the buildings in the emirate built via 3D printing by the year 2030.

Yacht And Marine Logistics At CSS

CSS Group’s professionalism comes in demand when a specialised vertical where thorough expertise is indispensible, and that is none other than Yacht and Marine Logistics. A decade long hands on experience has made CSS one of the most preferred name when it comes to movement of expensive and luxurious yachts across the globe.

The team engaged with yacht movement not only takes the survey and submit the quotation, but demonstrate how the movement will be carried out. They also explain about the equipment to be used while the process takes place. The attention to detail makes CSS Yacht & Marine logistics team the most trusted partner around the world.

CSS Group has successfully moved yachts that belong to celebrities and the royal family members. The company is a preferred shipper for many of the world’s leading boat builders, including Correct Craft Inc., Gulf Craft, Princess Yachts, Sunseeker and Viking, along with Government officials and celebrities.

The yacht and Marine team has recently handled two yachts for Sevenstar Yacht Transport Agency UK, one from Jebel Ali to Hamburg (BENETEAU GTE57) and the other which came down to Jebel Ali from Las Spezia (Galeon 325HT) which was later on cleared and delivered to the client. CSS ensures that their people are specially trained to oversee every part of the shipping process, right from documentation till delivery.

For a client, hassle free movement is the highest pricing factor when it comes to expensive loads like yachts, and CSS ensures maximum client satisfaction.

Zero Is The Superhero

Have you ever wondered: People are so busy giving the Right answer forgetting that the question itself may be wrong?

Well, the conditioning that our environment does to us is such that we start playing to the rhetoric without actually thinking why?

So examples are:

We may call FPS as FPS Shipping and CSS as CSS Shipping, in-spite of the S already taking care of the word shipping.

            Or

We may all ensure that we have medical insurance but never ensure that we have a healthy life by eating and living well

            Or

We may constantly be seeing our emails or phones or Whatsapp without actually any urgency on anything

Or

We all want to become market leaders or come 1st in whatever we do.

Ahh, the last example is interesting. Coming 1st or the obsession with the 1st position or being on top at number 1.

Isn’t that what we all are trying to do sub consciously and isn’t that why we have most of the stress and emotional problems in life. The society is sub consciously celebrating anything and anybody who is at number 1 and therefore we all think by pursuing the number 1 position, we will get the self-esteem and self-worth we all are looking for.

But today we will sit back and check if the effort is worth the pain.

The quest to get to the top or number 1 brings out several poisons and i can enumerate as follows:

a)  It gives birth to “Competition” – when you want to run a race, since positions are all relative numbers and nothing in absolute terms, you have to become competitive. What this does to you is it makes you a person who becomes relative to his environment and not in harmony with it. So with each other thing or person, you will try to find your relative standing and stop seeking to know how you stand in harmony with it.

b) Next poison that comes out is “Insecurity” – when you start viewing everything in relative terms , you will get insecure about yourself. In absolute terms you are secure because nature has given you a harmonious position and not a relative position. But your eyes with which you view have become relative so you think you are insecure even though you are secure. Got it?

c)  Now armed with high “competitiveness” and “insecurity” and a vision “to be 1st “, you are totally out of context with the ways of existence and have created a parallel world in your mind. And now, whatever, whoever and whatsoever comes in the way of you gaining your relative position in the world, you view it as “enemy”, “obstacle” or “challenge.”

d) Then come some so called leaders (who are nothing but victims of the same thought process and have accumulated some wealth or what they think is “intelligence” but lack basic premise clarity) and they tell the young: overcome all competition, obstacles and challenges in LIFE.

By the way, keeping money small in life is a part of thinking big. And here you have some profiteers giving lessons on LIFE. Laughable isn’t it?

e)  Then the pursuit starts and it never ends, till you end or die or give up. Because it is a race no one wins. At every pedestal, you realise, i am so tired and yet there is so much to go. Because the flaw is the way you view things and not how things really are.

Ok, let’s say, a lucky few reach the TOP, at number 1 Or 1st position. Now what? Now, as all movies, enters the real villain. And that is the number Zero.

You have never thought about it but read now:

a.  Even if you come 1st, you are still behind Zero.

b.  Zero is so humble that it is never visible to any.

c.   Zero is so powerful, that if it stands behind anyone, it can add tremendous multiples of value to it.

d.  Zero in itself is free of all the poisons mentioned like competition, insecurity etc. I mean how much incrementally insecure can one get when one is already a Zero.

Now look and compare the person who has after all the effort come 1st. He is still behind Zero. He is only 1st and has nowhere to go now. He needs to preserve his 1st position all his life now and live in high insecurity. Not Zero. 1st position is actually a jail. From where you just can’t fail. But Zero is free, independent and can stand where it wants to. It stands before you and stands after you. You are actually nothing. It is Zero who decides what you are.

So my dear friends, next time you “PRAY” and ask god for something, pray that he makes you a Zero. Because as you have rightly realised by now, Zero is the ultimate superhero!

Practical tip: As easy as it sounds, it is most difficult to become a Zero. So my suggestion is for now, you aim for number 3 or beyond. Because number 2 is always HURT that he lost to number 1 by a fraction. And number 1, all of you know, is in a jail, insecure and highly protective of his relative position. Number 3 or 4 are relatively more comfortable. Relaxed, Living, Breathing.

Breathe. Hope you are?

Rahat Talreja
Vice President – CSS India
rahat@cssindiagroup.com

Expo 2020 Dubai And Dp World Partner To Position The Uae At The Heart Of Future Global Trade

Expo 2020 Dubai today announced DP World as its Premier Global Trade Partner.

The company, which is a leading enabler of global marine and inland trade, owns and operates 77 terminals globally including the Port of Jebel Ali, less than 10 km from the Expo site, and will play a vital role in the supply chain for the Expo, which will bring together over 180 nations and 25 million visitors for what will be the world’s largest event in 2020.

DP World is the third Premier Partner to be announced to date. The signing ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and Chairman of Dubai Airports and Emirates Airline, and His Excellency Mohammed Al Shaibani, Vice Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, Director General of His Highness The Ruler’s Court of Dubai, and CEO and Executive Director of the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General Bureau Expo Dubai 2020, said, “Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa or South Asia. Serving an area with a collective population of nearly 3.2 billion people and a GDP of more than US $ 6.5 trillion, Expo 2020 will act as a gateway to one of the most important geo-economic trends shaping our world: the rise of emerging markets, developing countries and South-South trade. The partnership with DP World will play a central role in cementing the UAE’s position at the heart of future global trade.”

HE Al Hashimy added: “Trade and economic diversification are vital to the UAE’s future. Through this agreement with DP World and our other partners, Expo 2020 Dubai will leave an economic legacy in the form of new business generation, GDP growth and job creation across the region.”

Iraq To Invite Foreign Investors To Fund Major New Port

Iraq will invite foreign companies to invest in the construction of the Grant Faw Port in the coming days, to offset the Arab country’s funding shortage, an Iraqi newspaper has reported.

Almada Arabic language daily said Iraq’s transport minister Abdul Hussein Abtan announced the plan during a visit to the Southern Umm Qasr port this week. Abtan said the new investment opportunities would be announced during a conference at Baghdad Airport within the next few days.

The Iraqi government plans for the new port to be fully commissioned within the next two years and contractors will be invited to carry out projects on a post-payment basis or joint operation. The Southern Faw Port will be one of the world’s largest container terminals according to design plans and will eventually have a capacity to handle 99 million tonnes of cargo annually. The port will include a 39km container quay and two km of berths along with a container warehouse and hinterland covering more than one million square metres.

The port is intended to cut sea freight journey times between Asia and Europe, using overland connections through Iraq and Turkey, bypassing the Suez Canal.