Leasing of industrial and warehousing spaces across eight major Indian cities increased by 28% during the January & September period this year, reaching a record 37 million sq ft, according to CBRE. Delhi-NCR led with 11.7 million sq ft, followed by Bengaluru with 5.7 million sq ft and Hyderabad with 4.6 million sq ft. Together, these cities accounted for nearly 59% of the total leasing. The sector also saw 23.8 million sq ft of new supply, largely contributed by institutional developers in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai.Read more

Bengaluru-based drone logistics firm Airbound raised USD 8.65 million in a seed funding round. The capital injection was led by Lachy Groom and saw participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and senior executives from Tesla, Anduril and Ather Energy. Airbound intends to deploy these funds to scale its autonomous drone operations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, where it recently initiated a pilot with Narayana Health. The startup aims to revolutionise last-mile delivery costs via automation.Read more

Allcargo Logistics has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for its Composite Scheme of Arrangement, which involves demerging its international supply chain business into a new listed entity, Allcargo Global Limited. The domestic express and contract logistics businesses, currently operating under Allcargo Gati, Gati Express & Supply Chain, and Allcargo Supply Chain, will be consolidated under Allcargo Logistics Limited. Shareholders will receive shares in the new entity on a 1:1 basis. This restructuring aims to enhance operational focus and strategic clarity.Read more

NDR InvIT Trust, listed on the NSE, announced the acquisition of MLG Warehousing and Industrial Park in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, valued at around INR 143.9 crore. The Grade-A facility, spanning nearly 4.63 lakh sq ft of leasable area across 21 acres, marks the Trust's entry into Lucknow's logistics market. The property is 98% occupied by clients from the FMCD, logistics, retail, and paint sectors, enhancing NDR InvIT's growing nationwide logistics portfolio.Read more

Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) and UltraTech Cement Ltd. have entered into a strategic partnership to transition bulk cement transportation from road to rail. The collaboration leverages CONCOR's rail network to move cement over long distances, reducing road congestion and fuel consumption. By relying on rail, the companies aim to cut carbon emissions, enhance supply chain efficiency, and lower transportation costs. This initiative aligns with India's broader push for green logistics and sustainable freight solutions, setting an example for heavy industries nationwide.Read more

Blue Dart Express has launched a Digital Account Opening platform that enables businesses to open accounts and start shipping in just 10 minutes. The process includes profile creation, plan selection, KYC verification, Aadhaar-based agreement signing, and prepaid card recharge. Once onboarded, companies can use the Digital Prepaid Card to ship goods immediately. The platform also allows selection of predefined shipping plans or customized plans based on business needs. Designed to reduce onboarding time from days to minutes, this initiative aims to simplify logistics for MSMEs, e-commerce sellers, and growing enterprises across India.Read more

Blue Dart Express Limited has leased a 600,000 sq ft warehouse in Gurugram for nine years, starting mid-June 2025. The lease, with ASD Hotels & Resorts LLP, carries a monthly rent of INR 1.02 crore (USD 122,000) and a security deposit of INR 6.12 crore (USD 738,000), with an annual escalation of 5%. Gurugram dominates warehouse leasing in Delhi-NCR, driven by e-commerce, 3PL, and automobile sectors. The move aligns with a broader trend of rising warehousing demand, increased rents, and appreciating land prices in the region.Read more

DHL Logistics Private Limited has extended its lease for 317,000 sq ft of warehousing space in Panvel near Mumbai for five years, at a monthly rent of INR 1.80 crore (approx. USD 215,000). The lease, effective from August 1, 2024, includes a 5% rent escalation starting June 2025 and a security deposit of INR 14.11 crore (approx. USD 1.7 million). The warehouse is located in the Ascent Free Trade and Warehousing Zone, developed by Ascendas Panvel FTWZ of CapitaLand Group, near the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. The move highlights Panvel's growing importance as a logistics hub.Read more

Mahindra Logistics has expanded its warehousing operations in Northeast India by adding over 4 lakh sq ft of space across Guwahati and Agartala. The Guwahati facility, spanning 3 lakh sq ft, is the region's largest Grade-A multi-client warehouse and hosts the first Community Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Logistics Skill Council. The 1.3-lakh sq ft Agartala facility strengthens connectivity across northeastern states and enables cross-border trade with Bangladesh. The expansion forms part of the company's 'Go-East' strategy, supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing logistics infrastructure in tier-II and tier-III cities.Read more

China's top state banks are playing a crucial role in financing Aramco's Jafurah shale gas project, lending over a third of the total funds, while Chinese sovereign and private funds opted out due to U.S.-China trade tensions, Reuters reported. Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank each lent about USD 1 billion, with Agricultural Bank of China adding roughly USD 750 million. In August, Aramco signed an USD 11 billion lease-and-leaseback deal for processing assets with a consortium led by BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, joined by Mubadala and Lunate. Jafurah is vital to Saudi Arabia's plan to increase gas output by 60% by 2030, reinforcing its global energy ambitions.Read more