CSS Homeward Bound Sponsors Cultural Event Showcase

As part of its commitment to promoting the arts, CSS Homeward Bound recently sponsored Melalayam 2013. Produced by a group called “Wednesday Events” who are known for promoting ethnic art forms of Kerala, the show received tremendous acclaim from the audience.

“CSS Homeward Bound is proud to promote cultural events such as these, as it brings together the large expatriate community of South India that resides in the region and allows them to see traditional performances from back home” said Suku Sudhakaran, General Manager, CSS Homeward Bound.

A major attraction feature during the course of the show was the “Panchari Melam” which is a percussion ensemble comprising of 40 artists using various classical instruments such as the Chenda Ilathalam, Kombu and Kuzhal.

UAE Open Badminton Tournament

CSS ASSOCIATE AS CO-SUPPORT SPONSOR



The 36th edition of the India Club – India Bulls UAE Open Badminton Tournament commenced on Monday, 20th May 2013 and concluded on Friday June 14th, 2013 at the India Club, Dubai.  The tournament was first inaugurated in the year 1978.

H.E. M. K. Lokesh, The Indian Ambassador to UAE, H. E. Khaled Al Kamda, Director General, Community Development Authority, Dr. Omar Muthanna, CEO, Community Development Authority and Dr. Ram Buxani, Chairman, India Club inaugurated the tournament.

This year, the Tournament comprised of 26 categories as against 14 categories in the previous year. To encourage and promote badminton amongst youngsters, various categories under age groups 8 yrs to 18 yrs have been included.  Due to popular demand, Masters and Super Veteran categories were reintroduced.

The finals of the tournament occurred on Friday, June 14, 2013 whereby cash prizes, trophies and gift hampers amounting to more than AED 50,000/- were the highlight of the prestigious “India Club – India Bulls UAE Open Badminton Tournament 2013”.

“As co-support sponsor, CSS Group is extremely proud to be associated with India Club and the prestigious UAE Open Badminton Tournament.  Our partnership with India Club grows stronger year on year and we are delighted to be a long standing supporter and sponsor for this tournament,” added, Amith Horra, Marketing Manager, CSS Group.

Dubai-based Mohammed Munawer and Indian Olympian Valiyaveetil Diju stole the show at the India Club on Friday as they shared the accolades on the final day of the 36th edition of the Indiabulls UAE Open Badminton Tournament.

On a day that showcased contrasting talents from the 18-year-old Munawer to the 32-year-old veteran Diju, the young teenager, who featured in all three finals in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, won the men’s singles title, while Diju bagged top honours in doubles and mixed doubles.

“I was born and brought up in Dubai. I started performing better since last year. I’m from Kerala and there I’m ranked under-19 No1 and men’s singles No1,” added Munawer.

Diju, on the other hand, a doubles specialist who represented India in mixed doubles at the London 2012 Olympics, enjoyed his second appearance at the tournament here in Dubai and was thrilled to soak up the crowd support.

Highlights of the 2013 Tournament

  • The tournament was inaugurated on Monday, 20th May 2013.
  • On an average 25 matches were played daily for 24 days.
  • A record number of 143 matches were played on two weekends, Fridays, 24th May & 7th June.
  • Daily crowd: Approx 300 including Club Members/Badminton Players/ Guests.
  • In all the 26 categories, 559 entries were received.
  • A total number of 533 matches were played throughout the tournament (the highest ever for India Club on record).
  • Players from India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Hungary, Iran, Lithuania & Jordan took part in the tournament besides the local Indian & Pakistani expats residing in the UAE.
  • The Badminton Committee comprised of A. K. Prakashan, Manoj Mathews, Wales Thomas & Anil Mohan.
  • A team of 25 Officials were also set up for the tournament.
  • This tournament started in the early 1978.

 

100 Entrants Take On The Greatest Motoring Adventure In The Fifth Peking to Paris Rally

“The Peking to Paris was the first international event for cars and ran in 1907, and was like men landing on the moon – it was a staggering achievement to get a car half way around the world. They had no maps, there were no roads for much of the route, they had no use for money, they shaved bits off silver lumps to barter, there were no petrol stations, cars then used up tyres at a horrendous rate yet the winner, who won by a week, still drove from Paris to his home in Rome on one of the tyres he had set out on (a Pirelli). They cheated on each other all the way. “

Billed as the greatest motoring adventure, the fifth Peking to Paris Rally which started from China’s capital on 28th May successfully completed on 29th June. Organised by the Endurance Rally Organisation (ERA), more than 100 cars from various eras and manufacturers, representing 26 countries, travelled half way round the world in just 33 days before arriving in Paris.

Since the early pioneers first drove from Peking to Paris in 1907, the ERA has organised the rally along the lines of the original pioneering event. Crews will drive the original route of Prince Borghese, the 1907 winner, over the vast wilderness of northern Mongolia, where there are often no roads or tracks at all, relying on their own wits and navigation ability, camping besides rivers and lakes for 10 nights.

It’s the longest and toughest rally a classic car can compete in, crossing mountains and deserts and fording wide and fast-flowing rivers.

Back in 1907 just five cars took part. Now the Peking to Paris receives entries from around the world. The oldest car taking part is a 1913 Ford Model T, while a 1917 LaFrance has the biggest engine at a whopping 14.5-litres. The smallest-engined car is a 1250cc MG TD, narrowly taking the accolade from the youngest car entered, a 1300cc 1982 Renault 4.

From China the route passes through Mongolia, the world’s most sparsely populated independent country, with the Gobi Desert once again being a rally highlight. From Mongolia the route travels through Russia, avoiding main roads and major towns and cities, and the longest stage sees competitors travelling 668Km (415 miles) in one day, as they journey from Novosibirsk to Omsk.

With such a grueling route, much of which is on unmade surfaces, pre-war cars with their greater ground clearance should perform well. In the pre-1942 classes covering 1920-1931 and 1932-1941 Bentleys remain very popular, with eight entered, and three Rolls-Royces join them. American cars are also a popular choice and in the pre-1942 classes 19 are competing.

Some competitors have opted for rear-engined cars. The field is made up of three Porsche 991, two Porsche 356s, a VW Beetle and a rare 1958 Renault Fregate.

With such a selection of cars and such a long, tough route, there’s all to play for – more than 7,500 miles in a classic car is sure to be a challenge for crew and car…

The international interest in the event is not only with the entrants, who hail from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and all over Europe as well as including a strong British contingent, but with the media too.

The event was filmed by a documentary television team from CBS News while BBC TV from their World Service newsdesk covered the start at the Great Wall in China and the finish in Place Vendome, Paris. BBC World TV is represented in the event aboard the 1938 Ford Coupe of Mike Reeves and travel writer Michelle Jana Chan.

For more information on the Peking to Paris Rally or any future Endurance Rally Association event – call +44 (0) 1235 831221
visit www.endurorally.com

A Magical Mystery Tour

It’s just over 45 years since a 55 minute long film featuring “the Beatles” was broadcast on BBC TV. The magical mystery tour went out on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas day, in 1967.  About a quarter of the British population, some 14 million people, gathered around their televisions to watch.  However when it finished, the howls of disappointment were almost tangible, so much so, that the movie virtually vanished and has remained more or less hidden until recently. Many of the younger 60’s generation were nervous about even admitting that the might have liked the film. The soundtrack songs, when released on vinyl, became hits and included “the fool on the hill”, “hello, goodbye”, “strawberry fields” and “all you need is love”. The magical mystery tour album reached number 1 in America and stayed there for 8 weeks. But what was the film all about?

On Monday 11th September 1967, a 43-seater coach carrying the Beatles, actors, friends and crew set off from London for a jaunt around the English West Country ending up in the quintessential tourist resort of new quay in Cornwall. With the addition of some other filming taken in an airfield in Kent; the finished edit appeared, to the greater majority of viewers, to be a strange unexplained mixture of unrelated scenes and events. It was a confusing visual cacophony which was difficult to follow or understand. The title “the magical mystery tour” was prophetic because it was a real mystery. Only the UK’s guardian newspaper reviewer offered any positive encouragement when it printed that the film was “an inspired freewheeling achievement….a kind of fantasy morality play about the grossness, warmth and stupidity of the (Beatles’) audience”.

So what, if anything, went wrong with this Beatles venture? With the passage of time a re-evaluation of the film has been made. Judging by today’s criteria it may be seen as a challenging viewing experience, which contemptuously rejects the convention of story-telling needing a flowing plot. The result is now regarded as proof of the Beatles creative acumen and their ability to confront cultural stereotypes. The internationally acclaimed film director, Martin Scorsese, supports this view. He says that for him the freedom of the picture was very important.

Significantly the magical mystery tour highlights a saying which probably has meaning to us all.

“A right idea, before it’s time, is a wrong idea”!

Looking back it is easy to see that the Beatles, on this occasion, were well ahead of their time. Nevertheless the viewers wailing did not stop them going on to produce even more memorable music and hit songs.

Psychologists now agree that everyone enjoys having our inner feelings stirred but there has to be a sequence of events which sit comfortably with our emotions. Anything which does not do this, we tend to dislike. Creativity though usually demands the unexpected, looking at things from new angles. Hence the quandary!

We may have great ideas but, like the Beatles, it maybe the wrong time. In contrast, I can already hear the wailing of some who will decry the association of creativity with any type of magical mystery tour. Such a concept, to them, is unacceptable because it implies that creativity must have some sort of magical, incoherent or mystical aspect. Along with this comes the notion that the end result is either impossible, or crazy and therefore difficult to quantify.

Yet we all have access to our own personal mystery tours and how magical we make them is up to us. Where, you may well ask? Well recent studies show that the use of face book, far from being detrimental, may actually help lift your mood. Do you like looking at your old face book pictures? Just like the Beatles film, with the passage of time, things take on a different meaning. Old photos, postings and videos can, for example, comfort users who are stressed. This new assessment contrasts with previous research which said face book may be bad for you. The power is in your hands, as you can put the “magic and mystery” into things by using face book, and other social networking sites, to connect with your past self, when your present self needs reassurance. Who knows, you may end-up with a Beatles’ mind-set and gain a fresh confidence which spurs you on so you will recognise when it’s the right idea at the right time.

Lucky Winner

As part of our continuous commitment to the freight forwarding fraternity, CSS initiated a thank you scheme over 5 years ago, whereby one lucky name out of the scores of business cards that are dropped into the raffle bowls placed at the D/O counter at the CSS Corporate Office and CSLC-1 in Jebel Ali will be rewarded with a gift.
The winner picked, selected and rewarded for the months of March- April 2013 was  Rahamathulla-JAS Middle East LLC who walked away with gift vouchers worth AED 200 from Carrefour, presented by Fida Asghar, Team Manager, NVOCC, CSS Dubai.

Chairman’s Message

A recent study reveals that we may solve other people’s problems easily, but at the same time find it somewhat difficult to determine our own.  It is therefore little wonder that sometimes we have a feeling that the human character is very strange. Everybody, to some degree, is interested in each other’s life. Or, to put it more precisely, everyone is eager about fine tuning other’s life and career. Taking advantage of these facts has meant that the last decade has seen an alarming increase in the number of motivational speakers and trainers in our society. Does anybody actually gain from such speaking discourses? It is probably not as much as some imagine, especially as I believe that nobody can realistically motivate another person. These speakers and trainers can only “inspire”, with their words and deeds. Motivation has to come from with-in, “self- motivation”. Those who get motivated from within can only succeed in life. They are driven by an indomitable spirit.
Such determination was obvious when our CSS team recently experienced wonderful opportunities to be inspirational. Various trade shows and CSS India’s invigorating budget meet, proved to be a springboard for stimulating ideas throughout an interesting season of interactions.
As business behaviours drastically change across the globe we need to equip ourselves for the challenges. What better way is there than to expand the results of the recent study, I mentioned at the start of this message, and instead of just focusing on other people’s problems, we put inspiration foremost in our minds, so we may inspire each other to motivate for success?

Intermodal South America

Intermodal South America Transport Exhibition is the leading exhibition and conference event for international trade, logistic, transport and cargo handling.
It displays over 450 exhibitors from all over the world, presenting new products, the latest equipments and technology innovation and a vast conference program, providing a unique opportunity and experience for more than 45,000 professionals.
This year the CSS delegation was headed by Siby Kurian, Senior General Manager Sales & Marketing along with Ajay Krishnan, Senior General Manager Ocean Freight and, Arjun Bose, Director, CSS Abu Dhabi.
Siby Kurian, Senior General Manager Sales & Marketing CSS Group said; “We met with several key contacts during the three-day event, which offered great opportunity to increase the potential between The Middle East and Brazil.”
“The profile of Intermodal South America is one of bringing together the key players in the segments of logistics, cargo transport and overseas trade to put the finishing touches to business or to embark on new deals,” said Ajay Krishnan, Senior General Manager, Ocean Freight, CSS.
For the Director of CSS Abu Dhabi, Arjun Bose, Intermodal is the reference point for the main meetings of international companies. “Opportunities at such conferences are enormous as we meet the key movers in the market at these events,” he concluded.
The 19th edition of the event, at the Transamérica Expo Center, in São Paulo, brought together more than 600 companies representing 26 countries, in an area 23% larger compared to last year, and it attracted an audience of 48,500 attendees over three days, with cargo shippers a significant proportion of those attending.

CSS Projects, Oil & Energy

The Projects, Oil & Energy division of CSS Group recently handled a large shipment of steel structures, from Haiphong (Vietnam) to Abu Dhabi. The volume of cargo handled was 5100 cbm as it was from 2 suppliers. CSS Projects, Oil & Energy division chartered a vessel to carry the cargo from Haiphong to Abu Dhabi on behalf of their client. The entire loading operation onto the vessel was done in close coordination with the supplier and vessel owner. To ensure a smooth operation Raj George, Senior VP Projects, Oil & Energy said, “Being present during the loading of the vessel was truly remarkable because of its large volume; I was also able to ensure that all the requirements of the client were adhered to and that the entire operation went according to plan.”

CSS Homeward Bound Attends Inauguaral WCA Relocations Conference

The WCA Relocations is the newest and fastest growing specialty network within the WCA. The group was started in mid-2012 and has already grown to over 75 member offices in 50 countries and 62 cities worldwide. The aim of the group is to provide a platform for household goods and personal effects movers to meet, build business and efficiently find partners globally. With expert partners around the world just a click away, members of the group can deal with peace of mind knowing that each member is qualified.
The WCA relocations hosted its inaugural conference on March 6-7, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event began with a networking cocktail reception with over 100 delegates and attendants. Victor Gomez, General Manager for the network said: “I am delighted with the support the membership has given this new concept. We have lots of exciting plans and benefits soon to come and the progress we have made in six months is hugely encouraging.”
CSS Homeward Bound and CSS India participated in the inaugural WCA Relocations meeting and were able to meet other members and network with them.
It is always an advantage to be part of any inaugural networking meeting of an association and especially an association as big as the WCA. “The Conference was very well organized and the highlight was the perfection in which the one to one meetings were scheduled and how the participants made a point to be present on time and get to know each other and exchange information,” added Suku Sudhakaran, General Manager, CSS Homeward Bound.
“The Conference was productive for CSS Homeward Bound firstly because of the relationships that were built with many of the members and secondly we have already been able to exchange very interesting enquiries and business strategies”, he added.
With relocations on the rise and the high demand for a strong network of specialized movers, WCA Relocations is looking to innovate and create more value and benefits for all members. An example would be the new mobile application designed to attract more business from companies relocating employees by targeting their HR managers and offering them a unique way to identify items to be shipped.  It can also be used to directly contact members for quotations and onsite surveys. The application offers multiple features for relocations companies as well giving them a means to calculate dimensions, weight and take photos of items at the click of a button. This gives users a more efficient and professional means to complete a survey.

CSS Mumbai Shifts ITS Export CFS To Punjab Conware

In view of providing better service to their clients, CSS Mumbai has shifted its export CFS to a new location of Punjab Conware in Nhavasheva. This new warehouse will have state-of-the art facilities and modern amenities. All consolidation activities will be carried out in this new place which is a custom bonded warehouse with dedicated personnel to ensure the most professional service and smooth movement of shipments.

As per an official statement, the major reason for the shift was due to pilferage, short landings, delayed movement of containers & high extra costs. Previously CSS Mumbai was using CWC Dronagiri for their consolidation activities. This decision is seen as a welcoming change and will definitely enhance the whole process of their CFS activities.

The new address is:

Consol Shipping Services (I) Pvt Ltd
Punjab Conware CFS
Shed # 1, Plot No. 2, Sector 2
Taluka – Uran, District – Raigad
Navi Mumbai – 400 707

Contact

Datta Salvi
Tel : +91 22 27242841
H/P : +91 9920754201

Dubai International Boat Show 2013

The 21st edition of the Dubai International Boat Show witnessed high visitor turnout, with tens of thousands of visitors streaming through the gates during the show due to the international recognition it has received since its inception.

Visitors had the chance to view the impressive range of superyachts and boats on display, as well as enjoy a range of family-friendly exhibitions, competitions, prize giveaways and entertainment options.

With even easier access to this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, free Water Taxis were provided by the RTA from Skydive Dubai and Dubai Marina Mall and shuttle buses provided transportation from Gateway Towers at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah. With these services, visitors were able to spend ample time enjoying the vast selection of yachts, boats, and the full range of marine equipment available at show.

Exhibiting their first class Yacht and Marine Logistics services was CSS Group and Peters & May for the 21st Dubai International Boat Show.

“The Dubai International Boat Show is a highly anticipated and vital event for the international marine industry and we are extremely pleased with the visitor and buyer turnout, business activity and high-level networking that has taken place this year,” said Ken Dinnadge, Senior Vice President, Business Development of CSS Group.  “Another trigger for increased demand in yachts and marine logistics has been the improved logistics and infrastructure in Dubai. The marinas are growing tremendously with more and more berthing facilities, prompting more people to consider it as a lucrative investment,” said Ken.

“We focus on high-end, personalized yacht and marine logistic services to help clients buy the perfect product to make them happy; something that potential buyers at the Dubai International Boat Show are looking for,” said Dave Holley, CEO, Peters & May.

The Dubai International Boat Show took place from March 5th-9th, 2013 at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), Mina Seyahi

For further information, please visit

www.cssgroupsite.com and
www.petersandmay.com

CSS, Peters & May-Yacht & Marine Logistics-Aboard The world’s Largest Containership

CSS was excited to be involved in a shipment that required the use of CMA CGM MV Marco Polo, the largest container ship in the explorer class owned by the CMA CGM Group. On 7th January, 2013 the CMA CGM MV Marco Polo became the largest containership in the world to call at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, measured by capacity it can hold 16,020 TEU’s.

“CSS Group was established to be involved in the first ever call of the world’s largest containership,” said CSS Group’s, VP Business Development, Ken Dinnadge. “We had three brand new yachts loaded on board from Southampton, UK for Princess Yachts customers here in the UAE and Qatar which had to be handled with care in order to be delivered in perfect condition.”

Whilst this was a complex operation that included Peters & May, the carrier, CMA CGM, CSS Group, Dubai Clearing and forwarding agent, DP World, the receiving port, the organization and commitment to customer satisfaction was showcased through the excellent teamwork and preplanning that was undertaken to ensure all went accordingly to plan.

Nishith Kothari, JSL Cargo stated “We truly appreciated the way the team worked, and the constant updates we received from your back office were extremely helpful. In short, we had a very good experience working with CSS, and I would like to thank you for giving us the pleasure of coming on board the world’s largest vessel.”

ABOUT THE MV MARCO POLO

Owned by French shipping company CMA CGM it began its first voyage as the world’s largest containership from Ningbo, China.

Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea, the Marco Polo is an engineering masterpiece measuring 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters. By the end of next year, two more of these will be delivered, all to be named after great explorers.

It shows the expertise of the group’s teams, who are able to handle not only the very technical piloting of the ship but also its commercial operations.

Their entire network of 400 agencies all around the world is active to ensure the successful launching of this ship.

Emirates SkyCargo Recognizes Achievements Of UAE Forwarders-CSS Group

Emirates SkyCargo recently presented its top forwarders with special achievement awards at a dedicated event held at the Atlantis Hotel, situated on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. These awards recognized cargo forwarders and organizations for their efforts throughout the year.

In congratulating the top performing forwarders from across the country, Emirates SkyCargo presented Consolidated Shipping Services L.L.C. an award in recognition of their continued support.

“We are extremely honoured to be awarded by Emirates SkyCargo in recognition of our continued support towards growing the Cargo industry. The continued efforts and long term business relationship is a true testament to our partnership success,” added TS Kaladharan, Chairman, CSS Group.

“The forwarders we work with are an integral part of our accomplishments in achieving growth across all of the markets that we operate in,” said Ram Menen, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo. “It is important to commend their hard work, for we rely on their quality service and support around the clock on a daily basis; it’s a 24 operation we’re running and they work with us every step of the way.”

About Emirates:

Emirates consist of a young and efficient fleet of nearly 200 aircraft, including 10 freighters. Its route network spans 132 destinations in 77 countries on six continents, ensuring significant global reach and connectivity among the trade routes of the world. With Dubai as its hub, UAE-based agents are an important part of cargo handling activities on the ground.

Spatial Global Visits CSS Group

Spatial Global is an associate partner of CSS Group for developing the trade lane between the Gulf and the UK. The strong presence of CSS Group in the Middle East region was the key factor which brought the two groups together.

In March 2013, Bryan Hindle, Managing Director and Rachel Morley, Freight Manager, Spatial Global recently visited the CSS Group offices in the United Arab Emirates whereby both companies were able to meet and discuss various strategies to grow their businesses and continue to strengthen their business relationship.

CSS Air freight division Senior VP, Ahmed Al Rais and its General Manager, Jacob Isaac strongly believe that the association of both aggressive agents and focused drive of Airfreight consolidation ex UK with Spatial Global, continue to bring in long term mutual benefits to the companies and clients.

CSS Group @ Breakbulk China 2013

The 2nd Annual Breakbulk China Conference and Exhibition was held during 12th to 15th March in the International Exposition Center in Shanghai, China. More than 130 enterprises have attended the Exhibition, covering many sectors of shipping industry, such as ship-owners, freight forwarders, and equipment providers. This year’s topic was “Targeting Sustainable Growth.”
CSS Group participated as a first time exhibitor in Breakbulk China, showcasing its first class products and services to an array of visitors.
As a bid supporter for the Dubai Expo 2020, CSS Group showcased the Dubai Expo 2020 logo on its booth graphics and throughout its corporate material.
Breakbulk China 2013 is the largest conference and exhibition in Asia addressing the needs of traditional breakbulk and project cargo logisticians and CSS Group’s delegation was headed by the Chairman of CSS Group, TS Kaladharan, Raj George, Senior Vice President, Projects, Oil & Energy, Ajay Krishnan, Senior Manager Ocean Freight, CSS, Arjun Bose, Director CSS Abu Dhabi, Amith Horra, Marketing Manager CSS and Chandrakala, Asst. Manager, NVOCC Ops CSS.
CSS’ booth was strategically located within the exhibition centre whereby there was an abundance of foot fall traffic which generated numerous inquiries and discussions at the booth.
Breakbulk China is one of three annual breakbulk and project cargo transportation conferences & exhibitions organized by Breakbulk Events, a division of UBM Global Trade, alongside Breakbulk Europe (Antwerp Expo May 13-16 2013) & Breakbulk Americas (Ernst N Morial Convention Center, New Orleans LA USA September 24-26 2013).   www.breakbulk.com

GPLN Annual Meeting Abu Dhabi

10th GPLN Annual Global Meeting in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., April 16-18, 2013
Following the success of the 9th Annual Global Meeting, held in Singapore in 2012, the 2013 edition welcomed over 160 specialists in project logistics to the InterContinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi for intense networking meetings and relaxed gatherings during social functions.
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.
For the 2013 edition of the GPLN Annual Global Meeting, over 160 members from 50 different countries signed up and attended the AGM in Abu Dhabi which is the highest number of attendees in GPLN history!
Furthermore 30 persons booked the Heavy Transport and Lifting Course on April 16 and close to 100 delegates joined the desert dinner on the last evening on April 18.
Raj George, Senior Vice President, Projects, Oil & Energy, CSS Group, Arjun Bose, Director, CSS Abu Dhabi, Ahmad Fuad, Asst. General Manager, CSS Abu Dhabi and Narayan RT, General Manager CSS Bahrain represented CSS Group during the GPLN Annual Meeting 2013 whereby they were able to network with various members and discuss various trends and market forecasts within the industry.

CSS Welcomes

In line with its commitment to provide world class service to its clients and agency partners across the globe, CSS group has always endeavored to bring together professional and experienced hands from across various transportation verticals.   As another step in this direction, Anil Balakrishnan has taken over the role of Vice President – Business Development CSS group, stationed in Chennai, India.
A qualified Engineer by basic training, Anil brings with him Liner Shipping & Logistics experience of over a decade and half.  After stints with engineering blue chip companies in India, he began his transportation career with Maersk Line in Dubai.  A very enriching and rewarding career with the AP Moller Maersk group saw him successfully take on various challenging positions within the Middle East & Indian sub-continental geography. His previous assignment was as the Managing Director – Maersk Bangladesh.
Upon being asked on the reason he chose the CSS Group, Anil said, “Over my long exposure to the UAE, Oman and Qatar markets, I have seldom come across logistic companies like CSS which can boast of both client confidence, industry respect and fabulous employee loyalty. The CSS leadership is tremendously visionary and hence able to drive its corporate strategies well in tune with a very dynamically changing economic landscape of the geographies it straddles. It is truly a brand which evokes a sense of pride to belong, contribute and add value.”
On behalf of the entire team at CSS Group and the Senior Management we welcome him to the CSS family and wish him all the best.
Vikram Narayan joined CSS Mumbai as Business Development Manager. He carries with him 14 years of rich industry experience starting at Sentrans India and navigating through major establishments before landing at CSS. Vikram is a creative person whose contribution may set new growth factors on the move to CSS. As part of enhancing its talent pool, CSS India has recently inducted many professionals and experienced personnel recently. Vikram Narayan is a Graduate in Commerce from the Mumbai University. CSS wishes all success and whole-hearted cooperation to Vikram.

CSS Group Handles Bell Equipment Ltd

Bell Equipment Ltd who manufactures and supplies the most reliable, most fuel efficient and most safety conscious Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) in the world, recently appointed CSS Heavy Equipment Logistics division of CSS Group in association with Premiership UK by bringing the first demo product launch unit for the Middle East market.

With a customer base ranging from the quarrying, mining and construction sectors to waste, recycling, energy and general plant hire, Bell Equipment Ltd has also earned a reputation as the industry’s benchmark provider of after-sales service and support.

“Bell Equipment Ltd has now decided to establish a presence in the Middle East and enter this market in order to promote and sell our products throughout the Middle East region. Our first unit is now here in the United Arab Emirates and with CSS for demonstration to leading construction companies as well as potential dealers and distributors. The complete logistics pre and post services of CSS Group have been excellent and we look forward to strengthening our business relationship even more,” said Mike Darch, Territory Manager, Bell Equipment Ltd.

“CSS’s ability to supply this demanding sector with innovative logistical solutions for new and used equipment is recognized throughout the world and we are proud to be considered as the prime option for most of the leading manufacturers,” said Ken Dinnadge, VP Business Development, CSS Group. “We also extend to our customers the use of our bonded secure storage facilities located in Jebel Ali Freezone, as these facilities can be used as an interim duty free area whereby your inventory can be kept for both short and long term requirements,” he added.

CSS has continually developed over the years and has in place one of the most professional, well experienced global networks, which specialize in the complete shipping and logistics of new and used machinery globally door to door as well as capably shipping heavy machinery between any ports in the world.

CSS @ Gulf Food 2013

The importance of Dubai as a key trading hub for the global food industry was highlighted by the arrival of a number of country leaders, government ministers and top level delegations that attended Gulfood 2013, the world’s largest annual food trade show, which took place in late February at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

An unprecedented number of government ministers from countries as far afield as Australia, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Korea, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, the UK and the USA conducted key trade discussions during the opening days of Gulfood 2013.  Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, addressed senior delegations on the opening day of the Food Leaders’ Summit.

Attending the Gulf Food 2013 from CSS Group was Roshmon Manoli, Team / Route Development Manager (North America). “Facilitating trade both into and out of the region, Gulfood plays an important role in highlighting opportunities for food exports from the UAE,” he said.

Speaking at the official Gulfood 2013, H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Director General of Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said:  “Dubai now plays a pivotal role in the global food industry from a number of perspectives, not least because the city hosts what has become the most important annual food trade event in the world.  While Gulfood has attracted more and more exhibitors every year from a growing number of countries, this year’s exhibition welcomed more government ministers and country delegations than ever before. This is a clear indication of the stature and importance of Gulfood in elevating Dubai’s position as the region’s leading gateway for trade between East and West.”

According to the Industrial Bank, the UAE is the third largest re-exporter in the world with more than 70 per cent of its total agricultural imports re-exported annually.

Running from 25 – 28 February 2013, the exhibition hosted a record 4,200 exhibitors from 110 countries showcasing more than 50,000 brands across every sector of the F&B industry. Now in its 18th edition, Gulfood 2013 has increased in size by 13 per cent from last year with the addition of the new Zabeel Pavilion – a purpose-built hall spanning 12,000m² – bringing the exhibition space to a record 113,398m².

A New Venture From CSS


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