Complete Logistics Solutions

Massive investments to drive India logistics growth says JLL

Thanks to fresh investments, supply and interest this sector, the Indian logistics industry is set to reach the next level. Although India is down the rungs on the Logistics Performance Index (India stood 35th among 160 countries in World Bank’s 2016 study) in comparison to some of the top regional markets, launch of GST and huge investments from global players will help the sector grow manifold.

Interestingly, logistics in the Asia Pacific region is performing well in comparison to other global counterparts. According to the 2016 World Bank survey on trade logistics, top regional markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan feature near the top of a global league of 160 countries in terms of logistics performance, alongside markets in Europe and the United States.

Based on JLL estimates, the total amount of stock in seven largest logistics markets in the region currently totals more than 1.5 billion sqm (gross floor area), double the size of the 795 million sqm in the United States and significantly more than the 260 million sqm in Europe. It is more appropriate, however, to look at logistics stock at a local level, as regional economies are at vastly different stages of development.

The warehousing sector in India has already seen CAGR of 20% from 2014 to 2017, fuelled by economic revival, growth of its e-commerce and the third party logistics industries as well as implementation of GST. The existing stock has a potential to grow at an even faster rate going forward, at least until 2022. Investment in infrastructure is also expected to play a significant role, as large planned investments such as MMLPs, dedicated freight corridors (DFC), etc., in road, rails, ports and airways across emerging India will bolster trade – and, consequently, warehousing demand.

Warehousing Space in Bhiwandi

Warehousing & Logistics space leasing increased by 50 percent in H1 2017: CBRE

According to a report by CBRE the leasing of industrial and warehousing space rose 50 per cent in January-June at 7.3 million sq ft in eight cities and absorption may touch an all-time high in 2017 on positive sentiments after GST rollout. The report further says that the companies from third party logistics, engineering, manufacturing and FMCG sectors contributed about 75 per cent of the leasing.  Leasing activities grew in all sectors except pharma, which absorbed 20 per cent less space in the first half of 2017 as compared to the second half of 2016.

Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Chennai were the preferred markets for leasing space. Mumbai’s share was 13 per cent of the total leasing in first half of 2017, while Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune constituted 23 per cent of the demand. “The leasing activity continued to witness strong growth during the first half of 2017, as close to 7.3 million sq ft was leased across cities. The transaction activity grew by almost 50 per cent when compared to H2 2016,” CBRE said.

Among the prominent deals during January-June period, LP Logistics leased about 2 lakh sq ft in Bhiwandi, Mumbai, Honda Two-Wheelers 1.9 lakh sq ft in Bengaluru, HUL 1.8 lakh sq ft in Delhi-NCR and P&G 2 lakh sq ft in Chennai. CBRE Chairman India and South East Asia Anshuman Magazine said the country’s growing economy has helped in increased activities in industrial and warehousing segment over the past few years.   “The sustained growth of the segment, coupled with the implementation of the landmark Goods and Services Tax (from July 1), will result in efficient supply chains and lower compliance costs, the benefits of which will eventually trickle down to make the reform a much needed incentive for businesses in India,” he said.

The deal size rose to 65,000 sq ft during January-June 2017 from about 50,000 sq ft in second half of 2016. The number of transaction above 2 lakh sq ft also doubled during the period under review. “Sustained demand coupled with limited quality supply led to a steep appreciation in rentals (11-13 per cent) in micro- markets like Ghaziabad, Kundli/Murthal in Delhi-NCR, western corridors of Hyderabad and Bhiwandi in Mumbai,” the report said, adding that rentals dipped in Chennai on higher supply.   The consultant projected that rentals in select micro- markets would rise on strong demand.