Logistics experts train focus on sustainability at SIAM Conclave

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the eighth SIAM Automotive Logistics Conclave on August 18. The conclave on the overall theme of ‘Automotive Logistics: Transitioning towards a Sustainable Future’ saw a sharpened focus on exploring new frontiers for transportation of vehicles. 

In a world impacted by climate change, vehicle and automotive industry goods transportation is among the many sectors that can do their bit to reduce the carbon footprint. This can take shape through a myriad ways including sustainable packaging, optimisation of routes, deploying waterways to take a substantial volume of vehicle logistics off the roads, digitalisation and lots more.  

The day-long conference witnessed participation from top speakers including senior government officials, logistics heads of automobile companies, and experts from the automobile supply-chain.

The event saw five sessions:

- Leveraging Technology for Enhancing Road Transport Efficiency
- Railways – The Road Ahead
- Waterways – The New Frontier
- Role of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks in Automobile Transportation
- Plenary Session: The Path Ahead

Session 1 – Leveraging Technology for Enhancing Road Transport Efficiency

(L-R): Rakesh K Sen, Co-Chairman, SIAM Logistics Group & VP, Mahindra & Mahindra; Ashutosh Jha, Sales Director, Michelin; Sarbjit Singh, Head of Department (Sales Logistics); DK Rai, Director, CHEP India; R S Kapoor, Senior Adviser, Maruti Suzuki.

The panellists spoke about the developments in the roadways sector, government policies and vision change in the past two years. The speakers included Rakesh K Sen, co-chairman, SIAM Logistics Group and VP, Mahindra & Mahindra; RS Kapoor, senior adviser, Maruti Suzuki; Ashutosh Jha, sales director, Michelin and  D K Rai, director – Automotive, CHEP. The session was moderated by Sarbjit Singh, general manager, Hyundai Motor India.

Rakesh K Sen said, “The two factors that matter the most are operations need to ensure reduced logistics cost and time and innovation are imperative in the ecosystem. Moving forward, sustainability is the need of the hour, and everyone needs to adopt sustainable ways.”

R.S. Kapoor, senior adviser, Maruti Suzuki, said: “The automotive industry is evolving and is actively taking steps towards accomplishing sustainability. Sustainable operations, collaborations and emerging technology can further revamp the sector.”

Session 2 – Railways – The Road Ahead

(L-R): Umesh Bhanot, Regional Head - South Asia, APL Logistics; Mudit Chandra, Executive Director (Freight Marketing), Railway Board; Ms. Hena Kausar, Assistant VP (Logistics), Maruti Suzuki India; Srinivas Nanduri; Director, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India; and Nitin Kulshrestha, COO, GATX India.

The panel discussion was about the role of the Indian Railways as one of the future solutions for logistics across India. The role of railways in the logistics industry with future vision was kept forward for smoothening the supply chain.

The panellists comprised Umesh Bhanot, Regional Head – South Asia, APL Logistics; Nitin Kulshrestha, COO, GATX India; Nanduri Srinivas, director, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, Mudit Chandra, executive director (Freight Marketing), Railway Board. The session was moderated by Ms. Hena Kausar, Assistant Vice-President, Maruti Suzuki.

Mudit Chandra, Executive Director (Freight Marketing), Railway Board, said, “The average speed of the Railways has now improved. During the lockdown, Indian Railways had also focused on capacity enhancement. However, the availability of terminals is a major hindrance. However, new policies are coming in and we will see positive change in the coming year and a half.”

Session 3 – Waterways: The New Frontier

(L-R): Capt. Naresh Kundlas, GM, Parekh Marine Service; Capt. Inderveer Solanki, MD, Spring Professional Service & Consultant (STC), World Bank; Tejinder Gupta, Executive Director, Grant Thornton Bharat; Capt. Jeetendra Bhat, GM, NYK Auto Logistics India, and V Ramachandran, Assistant GM, Hyundai Motor India.

The third session was about Gati Shakti as an important step towards developing the inland waterways across the country. This panel consisted of speakers such as Capt. Naresh Kundlas, GM, Parekh Marine Services; Capt. Jeetendra Bhat, GM, NYK Auto Logistics (India); Capt. Inderveer Solanki, MD, Spring Professional Services & Consultant (STC), World Bank, and V. Ramachandran, Assistant General Manager, Hyundai Motor India. The session was moderated by  Tejinder Gupta, Executive Director, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.

Session 4 –  Role of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks in Automobile Transportation  

L-R: Bharat Joshi, Director, Trac1 Logistics; Achal Paliwal, Tower Head-Outbound Logistics, Tata Motor Business Services; Jaffrey Thomas, Partner, PWC; Sanjeev Patil, Vice President (Logistics), National Highway Logistics Management; and Amut Garg, Head-Domestic Rail Business, DP World

This panel discussion was about the the way India is moving forward in developing the infrastructure and creating newer MMLPs across the states for increasing the efficiency of the supply chain aiding the manufacturing sector.

The panel consisted of Achal Paliwal, Tower Head – Outbound Logistics, Tata Motors Business Services; Bharat Joshi, director, Trac 1 Logistics; Sanjeev Patil, vice-president (Logistics), National Highway Logistics Management and Amit Garg, Head – Domestic Rail Business, DP World. The session was moderated by  Jaffrey Thomas, Partner, PwC.

Sanjeev Patil, Vice-President (Logistics), National Highway Logistics Management said, “We are working with our partners to develop 35 future ready multi-modal logistic parks across India, which can be increased to 70 as per the industry’s demand. The Bharatmala and Gati Shakti schemes have given a strong foundation to the future of MMLPs.”

Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India said, “We are handling 2% of the current modal share of inland water transport with a target of achieving 5% by 2030 and 7% by 2047. More vessels will be added that will make inland water transport more economical for operations.”

L-R: Rakesh K Sen, Co-Chairman, SIAM Logistics Group & VP, Mahindra & Mahindra; Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India; V K Agarwal, Executive Director, Mechanical Engineering (Freight),Railway Board, and R S Kapoor,Senior Adviser, Maruti Suzuki

The conclave ended on a high note with the exchange of best practices, thoughts, and solutions, for the advancement of the automotive supply-chain.