A major challenge faced by exporters and air cargo operators is logistics congestion, particularly during peak hours at major cargo hubs. Industry experts are urging businesses to shift cargo releases to non-peak hours, a move that could significantly improve turnaround times, reduce delays, and increase overall supply chain efficiency.

• The Urgency of Cargo Handling Delays

Debajyoti Bagchi, Vice President, Business Development TT Group, highlights this issue:

“All air cargo stakeholders expect their shipments to be offloaded at the air cargo complex immediately upon truck arrival. However, most airlines operate during premium slots allocated at peak hours, creating a sense of urgency on the shop floor.”

This bottleneck effect leads to longer waiting times, inefficiencies, and increased operational costs for exporters and logistics service providers.

• Why Non-Peak Cargo Releases Matter

According to industry studies, optimizing cargo release schedules can:
  🚛 Reduce processing times by up to 30% at major air cargo terminals
  ⏳ Cut waiting times for exporters and transporters, improving cost efficiency
  📦 Enhance cargo flow, reducing congestion and shipment delays
  🔄 Improve coordination between freight forwarders, ground handlers, and customs authorities

• Smart Logistics: Regulated Parking & Offloading

Beyond non-peak hour scheduling, regulated parking and off loading mechanisms play a key role in preventing last-minute cargo surges that lead to bottlenecks.
  ✔ Implementing designated waiting zones for trucks
  ✔ Using real-time tracking systems to manage cargo arrivals
  ✔ Automated slot booking to optimize offloading schedules

• Industry-Wide Adoption: A Necessary Shift

To address this industry-wide issue, exporters and logistics operators must align their cargo release strategies with off-peak timings.
  ✅ Encouraging smart scheduling and better coordination
 ✅ Adopting digital tools for real-time slot tracking
 ✅ Collaborating with government and private stakeholders to standardize non-peak operations

• A Smarter, More Efficient Future

With India’s export sector growing rapidly, optimizing cargo handling is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. Exporters who proactively adopt off-peak release strategies will not only enhance their own operations but also contribute to a smoother, more efficient logistics ecosystem.

For more insights and best practices in cargo logistics, visit Cargo Breaking News.

Also, check TT Skill for more interesting news.