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Global logistics provider YCH Group is preparing to significantly scale up its presence in India, with plans to invest up to ₹1,000 crore over the next three to five years to expand warehousing and integrated logistics infrastructure across key industrial and consumption hubs. The Singapore-headquartered company sees India as one of its fastest-growing markets and is betting on rising demand for organised warehousing, supply chain automation, and technology-enabled logistics services. Growth in sectors such as electronics manufacturing, e-commerce, semiconductor production, and advanced manufacturing is creating fresh opportunities for logistics providers capable of offering large-scale, modern infrastructure.
As part of its expansion strategy, YCH is evaluating the development of major logistics parks and distribution facilities in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai—three locations that have emerged as critical nodes in India's evolving supply chain network. Their proximity to ports, airports, manufacturing clusters, and large consumer markets makes them strategically important for both domestic distribution and international trade.
The company expects its India business to witness substantial growth over the coming years. Revenue from Indian operations, currently estimated at around ₹400 crore, is projected to increase threefold and potentially reach ₹1,200-1,500 crore within the next three years, reflecting management's confidence in the country's long-term logistics potential.
YCH has been operating in India for nearly two decades and currently maintains a presence across 60 locations spanning 40 cities. Its network supports a broad customer base through warehousing, distribution, and supply chain management services, while generating employment for approximately 1,500 people, including contract personnel.
A significant part of the company's future growth plans will revolve around southern India, particularly the Chennai region. The company already operates its largest facility in the country near Sriperumbudur, one of India's leading manufacturing and industrial hubs. The campus houses a large-scale warehousing operation with a capacity for tens of thousands of pallet positions, serving customers from various sectors, including technology and electronics.
Industry analysts view YCH's proposed investment as another indicator of growing international confidence in India's logistics sector. Over the past few years, demand for Grade A warehousing has surged as manufacturers expand domestic production, e-commerce companies strengthen fulfilment networks, and businesses increasingly prioritise supply chain resilience.
The timing of the planned investment also aligns with broader structural changes taking place across India's logistics landscape. Government-led infrastructure initiatives, multimodal connectivity projects, logistics policy reforms, and digital transformation efforts are improving the efficiency of cargo movement and encouraging greater private sector participation.
For the wider supply chain ecosystem, the creation of new logistics parks could deliver multiple benefits. Modern facilities equipped with advanced storage systems, automation technologies, and integrated transportation connectivity can help reduce transit times, improve inventory management, lower logistics costs, and enhance service reliability for businesses operating across sectors.
The proposed expansion is also expected to enhance India's capacity to support the growing manufacturing sector and export-oriented industries. As global companies continue diversifying supply chains and exploring alternative production bases, access to world-class logistics infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important factor in investment decisions.
From a trade perspective, additional logistics capacity in strategic markets such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai could further improve cargo handling efficiency and strengthen connections between production centres, consumption markets, ports, and international trade routes.
With its planned ₹1,000 crore investment programme, YCH is positioning itself to play a larger role in India's next phase of logistics growth while supporting the country's ambition to become a more competitive manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain hub in the global economy.
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UltraTech Cement has deployed 45 electric heavy-duty trucks for clinker transportation in northern India, marking one of the largest electric trucking deployments in the region’s cement sector and expanding the company’s efforts to decarbonise logistics operations. The new fleet will transport clinker from UltraTech’s Kotputli Cement Works in Rajasthan to its grinding units at Dadri and Sikandarabad in the Delhi-NCR region. The route spans approximately 250 kilometres and passes through Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The deployment is being undertaken in partnership with Energy In Motion and follows the signing of a transport service agreement involving the company and its logistics partners. Each vehicle in the fleet has a carrying capacity of 55 tonnes, enabling the movement of large volumes of clinker on a key supply corridor for UltraTech’s northern operations. The company estimates that the electric trucks will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 8,900 tonnes annually while replacing the consumption of approximately 2.9 million litres of diesel each year. The initiative represents a significant step in the commercialisation of long-haul electric freight transportation in India’s heavy manufacturing sector. By deploying battery-powered trucks on a high-volume industrial route, UltraTech aims to demonstrate the operational viability of electric heavy-duty vehicles for large-scale cargo movement across multiple states. Commenting on the development, K.C. Jhanwar, Managing Director of UltraTech Cement, said the company views logistics decarbonisation as an important component of its broader sustainability strategy and its efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels across the supply chain. The latest deployment adds to UltraTech’s growing portfolio of low-emission transport assets. The company was among the early adopters of cleaner freight solutions in the cement industry, introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks in 2021, liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks in 2022 and electric trucks in 2024. As of FY26, UltraTech operates 638 CNG trucks, 32 LNG trucks and 89 electric trucks across its manufacturing network. The addition of 45 new electric vehicles further expands its fleet of more than 750 green trucks. The deployment follows a series of electric mobility initiatives undertaken by the company over the past two years. UltraTech began testing electric trucks for clinker movement in 2024 and subsequently scaled up operations on other routes after pilot projects demonstrated operational feasibility. As India seeks to reduce emissions from freight transportation and accelerate the adoption of electric commercial vehicles, large-scale deployments such as UltraTech’s are increasingly being viewed as important test cases for the future of long-distance industrial logistics. The company said it will continue working with logistics partners and technology providers to expand the use of cleaner transportation solutions across its supply chain. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
CEVA Logistics has expanded its presence in West Africa through a new joint venture with EFL Africa, a leading Nigerian logistics company. The newly established entity, CEVA EFL Limited, is expected to enhance logistics connectivity across Nigeria and provide customers with greater access to international supply chain networks. The partnership brings together CEVA Logistics’ extensive global reach and end-to-end logistics capabilities with EFL Africa’s established local infrastructure and market expertise. The move underscores the growing importance of Nigeria as a strategic logistics hub and gateway to West Africa, a region experiencing increasing trade activity and supply chain investments. Through the joint venture, businesses operating in Nigeria will gain access to a broader portfolio of integrated logistics services, including freight forwarding, transportation, customs brokerage, warehousing and inland logistics solutions. By combining local market knowledge with international logistics capabilities, CEVA EFL aims to address longstanding operational challenges while improving supply chain efficiency for customers across the region. A key feature of the new operation is its dedicated barge transportation service designed to move containers between Lagos ports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs). The initiative is expected to reduce reliance on congested road networks, shorten transit times and improve cargo flow in one of Africa’s busiest logistics corridors. The venture will also leverage approximately 140,000 square metres of ICD infrastructure located in Ikorodu and Apapa, including an Export Processing Terminal that supports import and export activities. In addition, CEVA EFL will provide customs clearance services through an in-house licensed team, enabling faster cargo processing and greater visibility throughout the supply chain. Industry observers view the development as a significant step toward modernising logistics operations in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s role in regional trade. The joint venture is also expected to support knowledge transfer and workforce development by combining global best practices with local operational expertise. Executives from both organisations have highlighted the partnership’s potential to create more resilient and customer-focused logistics solutions while contributing to economic growth in Nigeria and the wider West African market. As supply chains continue to evolve across Africa, the launch of CEVA EFL reflects a broader trend of international logistics providers investing in strategic regional partnerships to strengthen market access, improve infrastructure utilisation and support cross-border trade growth. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The Centre has decided to proceed with a new ₹13,000-crore greenfield civil-military airport in Great Nicobar Island, abandoning long-standing plans to expand the Indian Navy’s INS Baaz air station. The move marks a significant shift in India’s infrastructure strategy for the strategically located island in the eastern Indian Ocean. According to government and defence sources, the proposed dual-use airport will be developed at Chingen near Galathea Bay and will cater to both civilian and military operations. The facility forms a key component of the broader Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which carries an estimated investment of around ₹81,000 crore and includes a transshipment port, power infrastructure and township development. The decision effectively ends proposals to extend the runway at INS Baaz in Campbell Bay. Studies conducted over the past several years reportedly found that expanding the existing naval airfield would be technically challenging due to terrain constraints, navigational limitations and the requirement for substantial supporting infrastructure. Located close to the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, the new airport is expected to strengthen India’s logistics capabilities, improve connectivity to the remote island territory and support military operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Defence officials have indicated that the airport will remain under naval operational control while also serving civilian aviation requirements. Construction is expected to be completed within five years. The airport project is part of the government’s broader effort to develop Great Nicobar as a strategic and economic hub. Authorities argue that the new facility will enhance surveillance, maritime domain awareness, disaster-response capabilities and logistical reach across the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. However, the wider Great Nicobar development programme continues to face scrutiny from environmental groups and opposition leaders, who have raised concerns about its potential impact on rainforests, coral ecosystems and indigenous communities. Critics have questioned whether the economic and strategic benefits outweigh the environmental costs associated with large-scale infrastructure development on the ecologically sensitive island. Despite the debate, the government maintains that the project is essential for strengthening India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region while improving connectivity and economic opportunities in one of the country’s most remote territories. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
