Darshan Roadlines: Escalating Demand & Global Players Heating Up Competition in Logistics Industry
In the wake of Government's thrust on development of metros, refineries, wind power etc, what prospects do you see for the Indian logistics and specialized transport industry in general and of DRPL's business in particular?
Since the new positive thinking regime of the government at the center, there is an all-round thrust on development in our country. This has resulted in movement of project cargoes and windmill accessories across India, which needed old rules to be replaced for smooth movement of ODC/OWC. Many amendments have been made in the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, mainly Modular Hydraulic Trailers have been brought under the purview of MV Act, till date, and was issued under the Special Gazette of MoRTH. Also, for the first time in India, MoRTH has introduced an online permission for ODC/OWC movements on real time basis. This has resulted in smooth movement of ODC jobs pan India, with direct revenue generated in MoRTH’s bank account.
With the current focus on the development of metros, refineries, and wind power projects, many specialized vehicles are being introduced for transportation of long and delicate metro bogies, heavy refinery machineries, and long windmill blades, which are now being transported on imported or domestic extendable trailers of upto 53 meters.
To cater to this demand, DRPL has been adding new specialized extendable trailers in addition to multi-modular hydraulic axles to its fleet. At DPRL, we always stay abreast of the current trends in the transport industry, so that we can meet demand as and when it arises, and offer the right solutions.
With the entry of several global market leaders of heavy-duty modular trailers, what impact will it have on the domestic logistic market in terms of quality, productivity, safety, and total cost of ownership?
Under the government’s Make in India program, many international giants have started manufacturing in India. For instance, TII Sales, Germany, has started production of multi- modular hydraulic axles and extendable trailers at Bawal in Haryana. Due to this, our domestic market is now getting better quality axles and trailers at competitive rates, along with easy availability of original parts for trailers. So, I would say that the overall quality, productivity, and safety will improve and cost of ownership will also be reduced.
Big international manufacturers of modular hydraulic trailers like Goldhofer, TII Group, Faymonville, etc, are seeing a lot of opportunity in India for their products. Currently, they are eying the thrust being given on the renewable energy sector by the Central government, due to which, many windmill companies are going for expansion.
All of this will lead to increase in demand for transportation of their windmill blades, towers, nacelles, etc., and also of other project cargoes such as heavy machinery, transformers, etc. Since huge fleet of transport vehicles will be required, the logistics Industry has already started adding new extendable trailers and multi-modular hydraulics axles to their fleets. Extendable trailers can be extended upto a length of 53 meters from a collapsible length of 18 meters, so they can carry 53 meter long windmill blades.
Please tell us about DRPL’s fleet of transport vehicles and their application areas.
We have mechanical trailers of various configurations ranging from lengths of 40' to 110' Tata and Ashok Leyland trailers, 100 units of multi-modular hydraulic axle trailers made by Tratec in Gurgaon, and 16 types of Volvo pullers ranging from 280 to 520 hp capacity. We have 11 brand new extendable trailers, of which, 3 are from Cometto, Italy, and 8 from TII India. These can transport the 53-meter long windmill blades.
Our 100 units of hydraulic axles are for transporting heavy machinery, boilers, transformers, tanks, or any heavy project cargo. We have more than 65 mechanical/articulated trailers to carry normal ODC cargo permitted under MV Act, 1988.
In fact, we have all the latest vehicles required for transportation of renewable energy or solar plants or transformers and any heavy project cargo, and our team is always geared up for demand coming from any such projects.
Our industry is going through a very tough time due to the large number of ODC/OWC transporters coming into the fray. This is leading to tough competition. E-bidding and reverse bidding has directly resulted in low transportation costs. Customers are squeezing the transporters and leaving them with bear minimum profit margins. Due to this, many a times L1 bidder fails to lift contract due to price constraint, and then L2 is contracted by the bidder. This is today’s scenario.
Please name some of the most challenging and critical projects undertaken by DRPL.
To name a few, I would like to mention Suzlon Energy Ltd, whose 100 MT transformer was to be placed on a hill top near Satara, through very rough and hilly terrain. We completed this job with the help of 3 volvo pullers: one for pull and 2 for push and thrust from behind. We have also transported a 100-ton crane of Mukund Ltd in Kalwa to Essar Ltd in Hazira. This job was refused by many transporters to Mukund Ltd. but some of our clients recommended us and we took up the challenging transportation to Hazira, successfully.
Darshan Roadlines is one of the most renowned names in logistics and specialized transport services. What core strengths of your company keep it afloat even in tough economic conditions?
DRPL, today, has survived during tough times due to commitment, excellent service, and time bound delivery with all safety norms applied for safe and sound project cargo transportation. Our financial stability is also why our customers trust us. Our vehicles are well maintained and we have a full-fledged workshop in Taloja Distt, Panvel.
Our growing client list bears testimony to this, plus the fact that we have sustained our old customers through the years. To cite one example of an old customer: M/S Chinubhai Kalidass & Bros., a leading CHA & Forwarder, has completed 100 years, and with which we have been associated since our inception in 1972.
What is your vision and action plan for 2020?
In my view, by 2020, the current population of hydraulic modular axles would have been phased out in parts, and brand new axles would have replaced them. New capacity vehicles would have been introduced by manufacturers of pullers and modular hydraulic axles, as per government norms. Also, there will be more activities at all ports in India. Major movements through waterways due to MoRTH’s current focus on using waterways will be the thrust factor.
Published on:
22 May 2017
Published in: Lifting & Specialized Transport April-June 2017
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