AMTOI–ERC hosts annual logistics seminar in Kolkata

The Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) held its managing committee meeting at Kolkata, hosted by the Eastern Region Chapter (ERC), followed by its Annual Seminar on Logistics on Wednesday, 03-September-2025, at the heritage Tolly Club, Kolkata.

The Annual Seminar saw a quality record-breaking gathering from the trade wherein Convenor Brij Lakhotia welcomed all present.

Brij Lakhotia, convenor of the ERC, welcoming all present, said the eastern region of India holds a place of great strategic importance in our nation’s logistics and supply chain landscape. With its unique geographical position, rich natural resources, vibrant trade routes, and access to both domestic hinterlands and international markets through ports like Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip, and Vizag, the East is emerging as a logistics hub of the future.

AMTOI adds value

AMTOI President Arun Kumar spoke on the good work that AMTOI has been doing for the past 26 years in tandem with its extended board of 18 trade bodies. He informed that Amtoi remains in touch with the policymakers, and on matters relating to multimodalism, it forwards its suggestions to them in a timely manner. He informed us that AMTOI is the only Pan-India association on multimodalism, and its various councils, such as the NVOCC Council, the Liquid Logistics Council, and the women’s wing, are doing a wonderful job.

He emphasized that AMTOI has added tremendous value to its members and its weekly updates for them on industry matters, and a quarterly publication is much sought after. AMTOI actively assists in MTO registration and renewal and has a Grievance Redressal Cell. He informed the house that AMTOI, which has a say in drafting maritime-related laws, has been writing to the GST council and has taken up matters relating to SCMTR.

President Arun Kumar in his speech, emphasized multimodalism and informed that AMTOI is the only body that caters to the benefits of MTO and promotes Indian flagship.

Guest of Honour Advocate Subhojit Roy, partner at Victor Moses & Co, gave detailed views on the laws relating to admiralty and its intricacy. He informed the house that the law must be well understood and should never be assumed or taken for granted. He gave an insiders view on the application of various laws.

Chief Guest Suresh Kumar Rekhawat, Vice President & International Logistics Head at PCBL Chemicals & Ind Ltd., an industry insider, spoke at length on the positive work that is happening in India. he was exuberating about the Amrit Kal and how India is on its way to becoming the 3rd largest economy even with USA tariffs. He appreciated the yeoman service that the freight forwarders are doing and informed the house that they must be treated as partners in growth instead of someone who is visiting the office for a piece of business.

Speaking on the subject of SCMTR, he requested AMTOI to take up the matter with the policymakers, as the trade is facing issues, and emphasized that the time limit for SCMTR should be just a couple of hours prior to vessel arrival. He also urged the shipping lines to treat a commodity at par because some of the lines treat a particular commodity as NON HAZ and NON-DG, whereas some treat it as HA and DG commodity; this ambiguity reduces the scope of using a large pool of lines. His confidence in India on its growth path was appreciated by all with thunderous applause.

Master of Ceremonies Ashish Lakhotia informed that the event was under green initiative and no flex or standee was used and 25 trees will be planted towards the electricity that we consumed and food wastage, which was well received with thunderous applause

The seminar concluded with networking cocktails and dinner, providing a platform for industry professionals to connect and discuss key issues.