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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rough seas ahead: How are renewed geopolitical conflicts impacting supply chains?
By Neeraj Bansal, Partner and Head, India Global, KPMG in India As the old saying goes, without logistics the world stops. In today's volatile geopolitical environment, this couldn't be more true. As tensions flare up across the globe, we are reminded just how fragile and interconnected our supply chains really are. This fragility has again come into sharp focus with the renewed conflicts in the Middle East, which have reignited fears of supply chain instability and added fresh uncertainties to already strained global networks. Since the start of the conflict, crude oil prices have fluctuated sharply, with brent crude surging past USD80 per barrel, reflecting the market's sensitivity to geopolitical risks. The impact, however, goes beyond oil prices. Tanker operators changed course or halted mid-route, leading to increased freight costs. Shipping rates of supertankers more than doubled to USD60,000 a day. War-risk insurance premiums to Gulf-bound shipments also increased from around 0.2 per cent to 0.5 per cent within a week of the conflict. The disruption wasn't limited to the seas. Airspace closures across the UAE, Israel, Qatar and Iraq forced cargo flights to take longer routes, leading to an increase in transit times and operational costs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo All these have placed a renewed strain on global logistics, pushing up delivery times and transport costs across sectors. How can India navigate evolving disruptions? While global businesses grapple with the implications, for economies like India—deeply connected to the West Asian trade and energy flows—the stakes are even higher. With growth projected at 6.5 per cent this year and exports touching USD821 billion in FY25—up by 5.5 per cent—the country has been steadily moving towards a trade-driven, export-oriented economy. But events like these can potentially halt the growth momentum. For instance, the West Asia corridor is a key region for India's trade. With USD178 billion worth of trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council, any escalation in tensions in the region brings risks for Indian traders and manufacturers who depend on stable routes and predictable timelines. Besides, there is also the energy angle. More than two-thirds of India's crude oil imports and 50 per cent of its LNG supply pass through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow strategic waterway that connects the Persian Gulf in the west to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea in the southeast. Any disruptions here can push up fuel prices, import costs and inflationary pressures. Although India isn't unprepared— considering strategic reserves and a diversified supplier base for energy imports—any further conflict escalation poses risks such as price shocks and transport delays. Going ahead, India's resilience will depend on its ability to stay flexible by strengthening risk monitoring systems and adapting its trade and energy strategies in real time. To strengthen energy security, India can further diversify its oil sourcing beyond conflict-prone regions through long-term deals and strategic partnerships. This includes deeper engagement with key suppliers such as Russia, Africa and Latin America. The current crisis also highlights the need for India to move away from traditional trade routes, reducing dependence on Gulf maritime corridors. Fast-tracking the operational development of alternative corridors, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), can help us build resilient trade linkages. Further, India can look to upgrade port infrastructure on its eastern coast to increase trade with Southeast Asia and the Far East. As for exporters facing immediate pressures, the government can consider strategic export support measures to cushion them—especially the small-sized ones—from rising trade disruptions. The way forward: How can businesses navigate unforeseen disruptions? For businesses, unpredictability is the new norm. According to KPMG International's top risks forecasts for 2025, most CEOs consider geopolitics and political uncertainty the top threats to organisational growth. In today's era, building a resilient supply chain ecosystem remains absolutely critical, thus calling for a proactive and multi-layered approach to navigate uncertainties. One critical step is strategic scenario planning, where companies map out a range of potential outcomes and simulate response to various disruptions. This allows them to identify vulnerable points across their supply chains and develop integrated strategies that can be deployed as conditions evolve. Equally important is the diversification of logistics routes—both geographically and across modes of transport—to reduce reliance on any single corridor or supplier. Greater flexibility in sourcing strategies, inventory management and transport planning can help in cushioning against adverse impacts arising out of key route closures. In addition, businesses must build robust contingency plans. This includes, identifying backup suppliers, securing freight contracts that account for future uncertainties and maintaining critical inventory buffers for essential goods. Such preparedness, especially in high-risk segments of the supply chain, can substantially improve a company's ability to respond quickly and effectively when disruptions occur. Overall, to strengthen these strategic measures, companies can consider increasing efforts towards digitsation, which can help them substantially improve the visibility and resilience of supply chain processes. For instance, a digitised supply chain, leveraging real-time data, can help companies in better evaluating safety stocks and alternate sourcing strategies. While recent headlines suggest a potential easing of tensions, the broader global environment remains fragile and unpredictable. In times like these, planning in advance and staying prepared for all possible future scenarios will be key for long-term resilience. The sooner the supply chains adapt, the better they will be positioned to navigate the next disruption—whenever it comes. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trichy airport sees record 76k domestic flyers in June
1 2 3 TRICHY: Trichy International Airport recorded its highest-ever domestic passenger traffic in June, handling 76,035 passengers — a 64% increase over the same month last year, according to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Though only one new domestic destination was introduced and 22 weekly services added, Trichy recorded the highest rise in domestic traffic among 33 international airports in the country. Integration of flight services in both incoming and outgoing traffic is one of the main reasons for the surge in domestic passengers. In June 2024, the airport handled 46,375 domestic passengers through 80 weekly flights to four cities. By June 2025, this rose to 76,035 passengers via 102 weekly flights to five destinations. Although the number of weekly flights grew by just 27%, passenger numbers jumped 64%. Traditionally seen as an international hub, Trichy airport is increasingly being used by passengers to access other international gateways such as Kochi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, especially for Gulf-bound travel. In turn, passengers from those cities are flying into Trichy to tap into its strong Southeast Asia connectivity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2023 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo Kochi was the latest addition in May 2025 and offers tourists quick access to Velankanni. Until March 22, Indigo operated all domestic services from Trichy. The entry of Air India Express, with new flights to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, boosted domestic footfall. 'We persuaded Air India Express to launch domestic services. New Delhi is under consideration. We'll also push Indigo to expand its offerings from Trichy,' said MP and airport advisory committee chairman Durai Vaiko. 'Airlines will be suggested to move ATR flights to smaller airports and introduce narrowbody flights for domestic services connecting Trichy. New flight connectivity from Trichy to Kolkata is on cards too,' airport director S Gnaneswara Rao said. 'There is demand for connectivity to Trivandrum, Mysore, and Kannur. Trichy is better connected to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore than many tier-I cities,' said aviation analyst H Ubaidullah.
Gulf Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's three major airports to install e-gates for international travellers
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has decided to install e-gates at all the three major airports of the country — Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. The e-gates to be installed at the international arrival and departure lounges of the three airports will simplify and speed up the immigration process and the international commuters will no longer have to wait in long queues. Earlier, the PAA has concluded the design phase of its e-Gates project for Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore international airports after a series of stakeholder workshops. A PAA spokesman said the initiative aims `to introduce biometricbased automated border control at major airports to significantly enhance passenger facilitation, reduce wait times, and improve security.' German consultancy M2P Consulting will now develop technical specifications and tender documents to invite proposals from global e-Gate providers. The project reflects PAA`s vision `to integrate smart technologies into airport operations, ensuring seamless and secure travel experiences, the spokesman said. Earlier, aviation sources have confirmed that Pakistan has restored its flight operations to the Gulf countries after the reopening of airspace over Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The resumption of flights follows temporary suspension of operations by national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late last night due to escalating tensions in the region. The PIA has now restored its Gulf-bound flights; however, delays are still expected in departures. According to flight schedules, a total of 32 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other airports across the country have been cancelled, including 14 Qatar Airways flights. Airline sources added that 55 flights - both arrivals and departures - have been delayed at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities. Several flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the deteriorating situation in the Gulf. Bahrain and Kuwait resumed operations earlier, followed by Qatar later in the night, paving the way for partial restoration of services. Severe delays are being reported across multiple routes. PIA flight PK 747 from Lahore to Madinah is delayed by 13 hours, while PK 247 from Lahore to Dammam faces a 6.5-hour delay. Qatar Airways flight QR 621 from Doha to Karachi and Lahore is delayed by 10 hours. PIA flight PK 233 from Islamabad to Dubai is delayed by a staggering 15 hours.
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Israel and Iran both claim wins as Trump-brokered truce holds
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran that the U.S. brokered after 12 days of fighting appeared to be holding on Wednesday, with both sides claiming victory in the war. After U.S. President Donald Trump's expletive-laced message condemning early violations, the two Middle Eastern nations said they would honor the truce provided their counterpart did the same. No missile launches have been reported since then. Overnight, the Israeli military said it had identified two drones approaching, most likely from Iran, and they were intercepted before entering the country's territory. It remains to be seen if the pause in hostilities turns into a lasting peace between the regional arch-rivals. If it does hold, it would mark the end of an unprecedented conflict that saw Israel and Iran exchange missile volleys that caused hundreds of fatalities. In the frenetic period since June 13 - when Israel started the war with a strike on Iranian atomic and military facilities - several Iranian military leaders and scientists were killed, the U.S. joined Israel with strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and Tehran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an historic victory had been achieved and the threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic programs had been eliminated, in a broadcast message. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also claimed victory, saying Israel had failed to achieve its goals, while conceding that the loss of Iranian lives and the damage done to nuclear and civilian infrastructure represent 'great wounds to our homeland.' Israel began to return to a sense of normality after Iranian missile barrages drove millions of residents into bomb shelters and shuttered schools, businesses and the airport. Traffic intensified, students returned to classes for their final week before summer break, and restaurants and other places of work were springing to life. Tel Aviv's beaches began to fill up and the U.S. embassy said it would reopen. Airspace disruptions in the Middle East were resolved. Flights returned to the skies and operations at airports in Doha and Dubai - some of the busiest hubs in the world - resumed. Dozens of Gulf-bound flights on several commercial airlines had been diverted to safer airports on Monday, after Iran's strike left thousands of passengers stranded in Qatar. If the ceasefire holds and skies over large swaths of the Middle East remain open, it could bring relief from aviation disruption that has forced airlines to cancel flights, change schedules, and reroute planes around the conflict zone, complicating their operations and forcing them to spend more on jet fuel. Adding to the sense of relief, Israel said it's preparing to resume operations at its biggest natural gas field in the next few hours, setting the stage for higher exports to Egypt. The Chevron Corp.-operated field was shuttered on June 13 as a precautionary measure following the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran. The status of Iran's underground uranium-enrichment facilities is a key question. Trump disputed a report by the Pentagon that found the airstrikes on Iran had only a limited impact on its nuclear program. 'The nuclear sites in Iran are completely destroyed,' Trump said on Truth Social in response to an intelligence report leaked Tuesday saying it seems unlikely and that core components, including centrifuges, were destroyed. A recent satellite image of the Natanz nuclear site, taken on Tuesday, shows the beginning of reconstruction efforts, Iran's state-run TV said in a Telegram post. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Mint
24-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Stuck in Doha, Travelers Look for Escape After Airspace Closes
(Bloomberg) -- A few hours after an Iranian air strike on Qatar, authorities in Doha reopened the airspace over one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world. But getting passengers back on track again has proven to be more complicated. At Hamad International Airport, typically a model of calm, efficiency and quiet luxury, ground staff were overwhelmed by travelers looking for a way out after the escalating regional conflict crossed their flight plans. Hundreds of stranded customers stormed transfer desks or clogged up escalators and waiting lounges. 'Tempers were certainly flaring,' said Howard Gottlieb, 68, from Arlington, Texas, whose return flight to Dallas after a trip to Africa was canceled. 'People were beginning to yell and push. Others were simply laying down in the middle of the crowd.' The turmoil underscores the fragility of the airline industry that's been forced to make short-term adjustments to flight paths and travel schedules as it gets caught up in regional conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East. The scenes playing out at Hamad airport stand in stark contrast to the seamless, globe-spanning operations brimming with luxury service that have put superconnector hubs like Doha and Dubai on the map and turned them into aviation trend-setters. Qatar Airway Chief Executive Officer Badr Al-Meer, who previously ran the airport, is now in his second year leading the airline. The company said it provided a travel alert with details on refunds and flight change information. In nearby Dubai, operations swiftly returned to normal at Emirates because the airspace there didn't close down as completely as in Qatar. The airline, the world's biggest international carrier, said in a statement that 'passengers experienced minimal disruptions to their travel,' and that the company 'quickly activated its robust contingency and disruption plans.' The clockwork routine that's normally associated with airline operations in the Persian Gulf was upended late on Monday night, just before Iran launched a missile strike at a US air base in the country. That move prompted Qatar to suspend transits over its air space, while flights in and out of Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub, were also temporarily halted. Marzahn Botha, who had traveled from Athens in the afternoon, finally made it Doha after a detour to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, where the plane waited for four hours before it was cleared to continue its journey to Qatar. When passengers finally got off at the airport, 'it was crazy,' Botha said in an interview. 'The queues were so long, some people missed their flight for standing in line.' Dozens of Gulf-bound flights on several commercial airlines were diverted en route to safer airports in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, India and Belgium, including those from London and Zurich to destinations like Dubai and Qatar, based on data from aviation consultant Cirium. For Gottlieb and his wife, their path out of Doha led them via a connection through Chicago and then on to their final destination in Dallas, he said in an interview. 'I'm fortunate enough to be able to purchase other tickets,' he said. 'I still have no idea how the refund will work — but at least we got out.' --With assistance from Anthony Palazzo. More stories like this are available on
