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India
Transport India with Seacon Logistics
Seacon Logistics is your logistics service provider and central point of contact for transport to and from India. From strategic locations and together with our worldwide network of agents and partners, we quickly, smoothly and cost-effectively take care of your transport. From full loads (FTL), part loads (LTL), pallets, intermodal to special transport.
With an area of almost 3.3 million square kilometres and more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, India is the second most populous country in the world. The country borders Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
India has undergone impressive economic development in recent years and is now one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. The service sector is the largest economic sector, followed by industry and agriculture. India also plays a major role in the IT industry and is a major producer of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The Indian logistics market is of great importance for international transport. In part due to its favourable geographical location, it is an important transit country between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Imports mainly consist of machinery, electronics, motor vehicles, and petroleum products, while exports consist of textiles, foodstuffs, smoked goods, and electronic equipment. The country maintains close trade relations with the United States, China, Europe, and the Gulf States.
For transporting goods to and from India, it makes sense for your company – together with Seacon as your professional partner – to take your logistics to a higher level. From our office in Mumbai and our European locations, we provide direct, safe, and efficient transport to many destinations in collaboration with our global partners. On this page, you can read more about our transport solutions for India.
Important transport routes India and your benefits
Thanks to its thriving economy, India has invested heavily in domestic infrastructure in recent decades. Below, we describe the possibilities and most main transport routes for transport in India.
India's road network is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world, comprising over 5.5 million kilometres of roads.This includes national highways, state highways, and district roads. Some of the major national highways in India are NH-1 (Srinagar – Kanyakumari), NH-44, (Srinagar – Kanyakumari) and NH-48 (Mumbai – Chennai). These roads connect major Indian economic and commercial centres and facilitate the road transport of goods and people.
The railway network is extremely important for Indian (goods) transport. It is the fourth largest network in the world, transporting billions of passengers and thousands of tonnes of cargo every year. Indian rail transport consists of approximately 64,000 km of railway lines and includes both long-distance trains and regional express trains that run between the metropolises and the countryside. Rail transport is a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of transport, which is mainly used in the country for the transport of coal, ore, cement and agricultural products.
The country has an extensive coastline along the eponymous Indian Ocean.This makes sea freight of great importance to the economy. There are numerous ports along the coast, which are very important, both for trade with other countries and for domestic transport. The largest and most important seaport in India is the port of Mumbai (also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port). It is the largest container centre in the country and an important transit point for trade with Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Another interesting Indian seaport is the port of Kolkata (also known as Calcutta), which is an important transhipment point and distribution centre for trade with East Asia and the Middle East.
Thanks to the rapidly growing middle class and the development of the economy, air freight transport has also increased sharply. This applies to both the number of cargo flights and the volume of goods transported. The main reason for this is the increasing demand for fast and efficient delivery of goods and products. India's largest and most important airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This airport offers connections to numerous international destinations.
Important cities for cargo transport in India
India has an efficient infrastructure, making it an interesting location for cargo transport and logistics. The three main Indian cities are Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the largest city and the most important economic centre of India. With over 21 million inhabitants and an area of 437 square kilometres, Mumbai is the largest city in India and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is particularly known for its large and important seaport: the Port of Mumbai. It is one of the major transhipment points for goods from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Mumbai is also a popular location for companies in the automotive and electronics industries.
Kolkata, also known as Calcutta, is the capital of the state of West Bengal and another interesting Indian business location.The city has more than 14 million inhabitants and has one of the largest ports and airports in India. It is also an important production location for the textile industry, the chemical industry and the mechanical engineering industry.
Delhi, the capital city of India, is also one of the country's major economic and transportation locations.The Delhi metropolitan area has more than 21 million inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in Asia. Delhi's favourable location (in northern India) and proximity to Pakistan and China make the city an important hub for trade and transportation to neighbouring countries.
Transport solutions from Seacon Logistics
We offer different types of transport to and from India. Whether it concerns general cargo, less-than-truckload or full-truckload shipping, air freight, sea freight or freight transport – we will ensure that your goods arrive at their destination safely and on time. Below you will find our transport solutions to and from India:
- Groupage transport to India
- Pallet shipment
- Partial loads (LTL / LCL)
- Full loads (FCL / FTL)
- Rail transport
- Deliveries in the city centre
- Delivery with tailboard
- Express delivery to India
Groupage India - LCL and LTL
The term LTL (Less Than Truck Load) is used in freight transport to indicate that only part of the available cargo space of the truck is filled. In the logistics industry, it is therefore common to combine several partial loads at one loading point or to add a partial load. In short, groupage or LTL is therefore the merging of several smaller loads into one larger load. This optimises the use of the freight container during road freight.
The abbreviation LCL stands for Less than Container Load and in sea freight refers to shipments that do not fill an entire container and are combined with other general cargo in a consolidated container. LCL transport mainly offers price advantages and some benefits in practical handling and stowage. For general cargo, only proportionate transport costs are incurred for the use of the container volume.
Full loads India - FCL or FTL
The abbreviation FCL (Full Container Load) is used in sea freight for full container loads. Unlike LCL: a load that only partially fills a container. With FCL loads, the container is loaded by a shipper and unloaded at the destination by a consignee.
With an FTL delivery (Full Truck Load), the shipment fills the entire available cargo space. The truck transports this shipment to its destination without reloading. This is for one recipient. This completely utilises the truck’s transport capacity.
Fast delivery is the main advantage of FTL. This is because there is no need for transhipment or extra route planning to different recipients. The truck drives directly to one destination. It is the most effective method of transporting goods by road to a final destination.
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Special transport India
In our wide range of transport services, we also offer special transport to and from India. This is the worldwide transport of long, high and heavy goods that do not fit in a container or truck. We believe it is important to comply with all international regulations and guidelines in this type of transport. Especially when transporting dangerous goods, regardless of whether they are transported to or from India to abroad. Below you will find an overview of all goods that Seacon Logistics transports:
- Long goods
- Dangerous goods (ADR)
- Boxes (KTN)
- Boxes (BOX)
- Bundles
- Heavy load
- Pallets (PLT)
- Gitter boxes (GIBO)
- Barrels (FSS)
- Other loose goods
Transport options India: to and from Asia, America, Europe and Africa
At Seacon Logistics we understand that, in addition to the quality of your products, fast shipping and associated satisfied customers are of great importance. That is why we facilitate the worldwide transport of your goods in all aspects. Goods transport within Europe is usually handled via road freight, but for shipments to and from Asia, North and South-America and Africa, we of course also have sea freight and air freight at your disposal.
From our locations at strategically located terminals, we supply all major consumer markets. By outsourcing your transport to and from India to Seacon Logistics, you benefit from the advantage that you do not have to worry about complicated coordination across different continents and time zones. With us, you are guaranteed – partly thanks to the excellent cooperation with our partner network – a fast, efficient and well-organised shipment.
Transit and delivery times for transport to India
To satisfy you and meet all your requirements, reliability and speed are paramount at Seacon Logistics. That is why we work closely with a worldwide partner network and can plan, execute and organise your transport efficiently.
It is also possible to send express shipments, we arrange this in collaboration with our network. Fast transport services and our in-house customs clearance ensure that your transport from India arrives at your customer faster than usual.
For daily updated information and reliable transport planning, please contact us directly. Our specialists are always ready to help you.
Customs: the correct import and export documents
Our focus is always on the entire logistics chain. To serve you even better, our in-house customs department takes care of the necessary import and export documents and transport certificates. Our Compliance Desk checks whether your goods comply with all guidelines and sanction regulations at the place of destination. This way you will not be faced with unpleasant surprises and you can concentrate on your core business. Thanks to our status as Authorised Economic Operator (previously AEO-certified) and 'preferred supplier', we can minimise delays. An important advantage for you as a customer.
Want to know more about how we unburden you in terms of customs and customs declarations?
Incoterms®: Protect your international trade with India
As a global logistics chain director, Seacon Logistics deals a lot with Incoterms®. Although we are not involved in the commercial agreements between buyer and seller, we are often consulted about the dangers and consequences of the various Incoterms® before a transaction is concluded. In practice, many companies still underestimate the risks.
To ensure that contractual formulas in the trade of goods are interpreted equally by buyer and seller, we have created a white paper and an infographic.
Important additional information: Public holidays, driving bans and local details
Although India, as an emerging economy, faces some challenges, it has a well-developed infrastructure that supports the country’s economy. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the system, India has put some regulations in place that affect transport to and from India.
- Customs regulations: India has trade agreements with many countries. However, the specific regulations vary per country. Seacon helps you obtain the required documents and permits to avoid delays in transport.
- Driving bans: There is no general ban on driving on public holidays or Sundays in India, but special rules apply in certain parts of the country. For example, some cities have a temporary driving ban to reduce traffic and air pollution. We are happy to provide you with insight into these restrictions.
- Tolls: Toll must be paid on highways and some other roads in India to finance the maintenance and development of the road network. These charges are calculated based on the distance travelled and the vehicle class.
- Air freight and sea freight: Given the great importance of air and sea freight in India, there are specific regulations and requirements that must be observed.
If you have more detailed questions about the specifics or rules in India, please feel free to contact our team. In a joint logistic analysis, we examine which aspects are relevant for your goods transport.
The strength of Seacon: logistics at its heart since 1985
Since the establishment of Seacon Logistics, we have been building our organisation as a leading logistics chain director. Today, Seacon Logistics has over 700 employees at various strategic locations throughout Europe. Yet the origins of the family business can still be felt in our organisation. And that is precisely where our strength lies. Logistic services from the heart, that's what we are all about!
With a strong we-feeling, we take on logistical challenges and work together to serve you as our customer in the best possible way. With innovative and efficient solutions, we take your logistics to a new level. Transparent communication, personal approach and entrepreneurship are the basis of our customers' trust.
Are you interested in a transport solution to a country other than India? Then take a look at one of our many other partner countries:
Would you like to receive a quote or do you have other questions?
Then please do not hesitate to contact us. We know the logistical challenges of our customers and have been optimising their logistics chains for decades. No distance is too far or challenge too great. Are you ready to take your logistics chain to the next level? Then be sure to get in touch with us.