Project Logistics' Unnerving Times

I just realised that it has been 3 months since my last post!
I was wondering why. May be there was nothing to write about in these months. The project transport scene was so bleak that nothing happened to write about.

Every transporter i talked to was complaining about the bad situation. One well known transporter from Gujarat even said "if this period continues for another 3-4 months many will be out of business". I have been anticipating this period for a long time. I mentioned this in my previous posts.

Last 2-3 years before March 2012 were crazy due to announcement of various projects. There was a mad rush for Hydraulic Platform Trailers. Every other transport company was buying these vehicles. Every other trailer manufacturer under the tree was making cheap imitations of Hydraulic Trailers. Result was rates nosedived in turn there was hardly any operating margins.

Now when projects are either stalled or scrapped. There is bloodbath in transport rates. Smaller players are cursing the day they entered ODC transport business. They have started to sell their hydraulic trailers. I infact received a call from one yesterday.

There is a silver lining though. 

This phase will cleanse the system. Sometimes nature should left alone to take its own course. Survival of the fittest. I hope once the madness subsides, better sense will prevail. I may sound harsh but that's how everything can be set right again.

Meanwhile, KHL has released the annual ICT world ranking of top transporters on basis of carrying capacity. In my opinion carrying capacity alone does not make a top rated transporter.
Here below is a snapshot. You can download the magazine from www.khl.com

Industrial Heavy/ODC Transport scenario not bleak

I met somebody senior in project transportation a few days ago in Mumbai. We were chatting on the current scenario in the sector and by blog. While appreciating my work he told something about my blog which did shake me a bit.
As per this gentleman I being a part of this sector I have been far too critical about it. "The picture is not that bad as it is portrayed."


I agreed.


The idea of creating this blog was to open our eyes and speak out about heavy project transportation in India. This segment for no reason has somehow been not talked about. There are too many bottlenecks and attitude problems. Then i realized that every country is unique with its own individuality and India is an unique country. In India in certain situations logic fails and faith takes over. This faith has kept us alive through many invasions.
The problem does not lie with the service providers. It is the availability of cheaper and inferior alternatives and the non presence of an honest regulatory machinery.


Its logical, if i have a cheaper alternative to which i don't have any regulatory obligations, i will consider the technically advanced and higher priced alternative as second to the cheaper version.


I will now try to include more developments in the sector in my blog.