Pratik Bijlani –
On September 19, 2024, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) took place at the West End Hotel in Mumbai, marking a key milestone for the organization. AMTOI, established in 1998, is a pivotal trade body representing companies involved in multimodal transport, logistics, and supply chain solutions across India. Its mission is to promote the seamless integration of transportation modes such as road, rail, sea, and air, while advocating for policies that support the sustainable development of India’s logistics infrastructure.
The AGM was attended by several influential figures in the industry, including Capt. Vivek S. Anand, President of Sun Logistics; Mr. Nilesh Banddi, Regional Manager of Fairmacs Shipping & Logistics; CM Muraleedharan, India Area Director of Unifeeder Group; Mr. Alfaz Malbarwala, Managing Director of Galaxy Freight Pvt. Ltd. and Mr.Sandeep Harit, Managing Director of Movex Services Pvt. Ltd. among others. The event was graced by the presence of chief guest Mr. Rajiv Jalota, Chairperson of the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA), and guest of honor Mr. Vishal P. Mehta, CEO of Rushabh Sealink & Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
One of the key moments of the AGM was the presentation of the Annual Report for the 2024-25 term, along with the audited financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2024. The meeting also saw the election of new executive committee members, signaling a new phase of growth for AMTOI. Arun Kumar, Managing Director of InSynergy Supply Chain Solutions, was appointed as the new President of AMTOI, with Devpal Menon as Vice President, Haresh Lalwani as Honorary Secretary, and Vasant Pathak as Honorary Treasurer. This leadership team is expected to focus on driving innovation, enhancing digital transformation, and reinforcing collaboration between stakeholders in the logistics sector.
In his speech, Arun Kumar emphasized the importance of fostering innovation and collaboration to strengthen India’s multimodal transport infrastructure. His appointment is seen as a move towards modernizing the sector and enhancing its strategic capabilities. As the industry faces growing demands, Kumar’s leadership will play a crucial role in shaping policies that make India’s logistics network more globally competitive.
Another significant highlight of the event was the recognition of Tushar Jani, a revered veteran in the logistics sector, who was honored with the prestigious Late Shri P.K. Srivastava Memorial Award. This award, named after the former CMD of Shipping Corporation of India, recognized Jani’s unparalleled contributions to the logistics industry over the years. In his speech, Jani passionately called for collective action, stating, “It’s there. But if we contribute, we come together, bring in proficiency, bring that vision, bring our self-reliance, we have a chance to do not only that, we as an India can show the world what can be done, and I’m sure we will win if we are together.”
Mr. Jalota also addressed the gathering, offering insights into the ambitious plans the Government of India has for the sector. He expressed optimism about the future growth trajectory of India’s logistics and port sectors. “What we are hoping for by 2047 we may reach up to 28 to 30 billion dollars, and we all know that we are part of that sector where tremendous growth is going to happen. What is believed that in the next 20 to 22 years India’s exit cargo growth will be between 4 to 6 times, and to manage such type of cargo growth we have to have a port sector which can take care of the growth of shipping,” said Jalota, emphasizing the importance of capacity building and port expansion.
The AGM concluded with a networking session and a cocktail dinner, where industry professionals had the opportunity to exchange ideas and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. As AMTOI moves forward under new leadership, the association is poised to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of multimodal transport in India.
Marex Media