9th Annual Pharma Supply Chain Management Summit,

Mumbai hosted the 9th Annual Pharma Supply Chain Management Summit. The Indian pharmaceutical market is the third largest in terms of volume, exporting products to over 200 countries; and thirteenth largest in terms of value. The Indian pharmaceutical sector is fragmented and complex with over 20,000 registered units. Considering this and the sheer size and the scope of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, it comes as no surprise that for the pharma industry, supply chain is one of the most complex supply chains in the world. It is imperative for pharma organizations to strengthen their key pillars and growth enablers. Efficient supply chain, logistics, distribution and planning plays an important role in this growth story.

This year was ATA Freight’s first attendance to the summit. The summit gave ATA Freight an opportunity to meet our customers, conduct fruitful business to business meetings, and get up to date information about the latest developments in pharmaceuticals industry in India. Benefit from extensive networking opportunities with industry peers, our Country Sales Manager Deepak Khedkar and his team host potential customers in our RED stand for 2 days. We are thanking our India team for the effort they put into making sure this was another excellent exhibition. 

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ATA Freight opens office in Russia,

ATA Freight is the leading global logistics provider of personalized and innovative solutions. It offers every customer a service tailored to their specific needs, built on a formidable experience across a broad range of market sectors.

ATA Freight Russia office is established in Moscow to provide integrated logistics services for commercial activities within Russia as well as between Turkey and European Union countries. Industrial Projects logistics, international transportation, warehouse management and freight forwarding are among the services offered by the company to its customers.

When it comes to opening new locations, ATA Freight has considerable decision points such as; ease of doing business, economic growth and strategic locations. When we looked at both countries, Turkey has a strategic location between Europe and Asia, serving as a geographical and economical bridge between these continents. This location offers huge opportunities for logistics between Turkey and Russia. Also, Russia is the world’s largest country and demands an extensive transport and logistics network. Russia’s transport and logistics sector holds teem opportunities for foreign companies. Logistics companies should certainly look to the world’s biggest nation as their next market for investment or expansion.

In order to service between these countries, air, sea, road and rail logistics are in high demand. We believe, ATA Freight (Russia) will grow into a significant logistics player in the Russia. We have dedicated logistics and trade specialists. ATA Freight is an expertise at the helm through well- established partnerships with leading ocean carriers and provides highly flexible freight services—for global reach.

Logistics sector experienced slight contraction in 2016 after a series of political problems, a crisis between Turkey &amp;amp;amp; Russia, sharp fluctuations in foreign exchanges and tightening EU borders. These crises played a destruction on Russia - Turkey logistics sector but now things are starting to look positive again and those days are left behind now. While recovery may be small at present, the transport &amp;amp;amp; logistics sector looks set to enjoy a growth in the coming years.

Turkish and Russian governments signed a mutual agreement about establishing a billion-dollar joint investment fund. With this fund, it will be easier to make new investments within the countries, this will strengthen the business relationships between Russia and Turkey. Logistics is the main industry that governments will focus on. Also, a free trade agreement is on the table and will be signed before the end of 2017.

It is all related with the trade relations but energy projects like Turk Stream, Akkuyu Nuclear Plant and market trends could also act as positive agents when it comes to growth in the logistics sector.

We believe that Russia desires updated technologies, dynamic, cost-effective transport solutions and international investments when it comes to logistics. ATA Freight is financially strong, stable, and independent. With global logistics network and 21 years of experience in the sector, ATA Freight can deliver

• Unique logistics solutions

• Cutting edge technological advantages

• Special Logistics services covering the whole supply chain

• Inhouse Expertise and efficient operations

• Distinguished quality, operational excellence and advanced logistics management

• Excellent customer service with dedication to customers and their business requirements

We are today present in six countries with our own offices- US, Mexico, India, China, Russia and Turkey. We want to be present in promising, growing and challenging environments and do things other companies cannot think about doing. We have opened 6 new locations last year in these 6 countries.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;

ATA Freight is always on the lookout for new markets in global economies and we also have a territorial expansion strategy. So, you will see us at more locations beyond these countries in future. We are aiming to be in Top 50 3PL logistics company until 2026

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About ATA Freight

We started with one office in New York in 1996 now have 28 offices in 6 countries including our brand-new office in Moscow, Russia and +400 team members globally. We like where we are today, but aim to do a lot more. ATA Freight will continuously enhance its ambitions and will be very aggressive to continue growing in the coming years.

We have grown into one of the leading logistics providers, providing end-to-end design, implementation and operational capabilities in freight forwarding, contract logistics, transportation management and distribution management.

We believe what primarily sets ATA Freight apart is its relentless drive to do its part in bringing the inevitable transformation in our -in many ways- conventional industries. ATA Freight is one of the few players in the industry with an in-house R&amp;amp;amp;D unit, CATI- Center for Advanced Technologies and Innovation, and a standalone software solutions company, Vizio under its group of companies.

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ATA Freight is awarded as one of the Top 10 Freight Management Solution Providers- 2017 by the Logistics Tech Outlook.,

We believe what primarily sets ATA Freight apart is its relentless drive to do its part in bringing the inevitable transformation to our -in many ways- conventional industry. We see our working environment dramatically changed within the upcoming years, an environment that hosts a network of conversations driven by intelligent automation. We see today’s challenges in information management arena as opportunities to transform customer experience.&nbsp;

TOP 10 Freight Management Solution Providers 2017&nbsp;

Freight Management has become a hot topic among the shippers today, due to the growing pricing pressures and service options from carriers, combined with the increasing demand from customers for more frequent and time-bound shipments. Keeping the accurate shipping records, handling freight data, managing transportation and making payments—are all key to a smooth running supply chain.

A robust Freight Management system streamlines and optimizes the efficiency of commercial freight operations, through proper freight route planning, carrier selection, shipping scheduling, load planning, guidelines compliance and auditing, invoicing, and reporting. It also automates the process of outsourcing freight bill processing and payment— saving time and expenses for the companies, while reducing errors like duplicate billing, overcharges, incorrect freight rates and more.

Today, the profound impact of technologies like cloud, big data analytics, Internet of Things, and self-learning systems are contributing considerably to the freight management landscape, enabling customers to better reap rewards from quicker and safer delivery of cargo. In this scenario, companies look for innovative vendors and partners who can help them with the right technology and assist them through implementation. In the last few months, we have analyzed and shortlisted hundreds of freight management solution providers that are the forefront of tackling the challenges in the industry.

Our selection panel analyzed the vendor’s capability to meet shipper’s needs in managing the freight operations through the amalgamation of latest technologies into their solution.

We present to you the Logistics Tech Outlook’s Top 10 Freight Management Solution Providers- 2017.

ATA Freight

A Personalized Logistics Partner&nbsp;

Since its inception, ATA Freight has evolved from an international freight forwarder to one of the global providers of innovative and fully integrated supply chain solutions. In recent years, “We see a dramatic change in the environmentwithin logistics industry—an environment with expanding number of nodes in the shipper distribution networks, aimed at reducing delivery time to customers from days to hours,”expresses Matt Goker, COO, ATA Freight. Organizations are demanding an efficient freight management system in order to optimize this distribution network, improve customer service and generate cost savings.

“While most providers focus on conventional solutions that require continuous investment of client's time and resources, ATA Freight carries a different approach, aimed at contributing to the customer’s decision by providing complete transparency into their logistics planning,” adds Goker. ATA Freight’s Vizio MyWay system is specifically designed to enable proactive management of shipments through improved, end to- end visibility into their inventory, order and shipment status; as well as dynamic, and intelligent exception alerting.This web-based shipment management solution is developed by the joint efforts of ATA Freight’s in-house R&amp;D unit, CATI - Center for Advanced Technologies and Innovation and Vizio Software Solutions divisions. Vizio MyWay is capable of handling a variety of tasks—from real time PO level tracking to order planning, shipments scheduling and event management, as well as generating reports based on users’ requirements. While bringing inan inevitable transformation to the logistics industry,

ATA Freight’s key differentiating factor, Goker says, "Lies in developing pragmatic solutions—especially in the challenging information management arena." ATA Freight has developed a wide range of information management services, employing advanced analysis and modeling tools to evaluate the breadth of options against identified cost and service objectives. The best example is ATA Freight’s proprietary predictive engine, which powers Vizio MyWay to provide users with an unprecedented level of business-critical information and predictive insight—eliminating the burden of scrutinizing innumerable pages of data.&nbsp;

&nbsp;ATA Freight complements Vizio MyWay with ATASOT, a proprietary interactive 3D container space optimization solution that enablescustomers to use a container to itsfull capacity, minimizing the waste. In one instance, ATA Freight enabled a VIP client to achieve major productivity gains by implementing ATASOT proprietary software. “Our space optimization team noticed opportunities for the Fortune 50 client who utilized ATASOT solution and increased the capacity usage from 62 to 84 percent, dramatically reducing the overall logistics spend,” affirms Goker.

&nbsp;MyWay also comes with a dedicated virtual assistant—Soul, which knows the customers and their individual needs. “Soul is available on all our platforms, including our smartphone and smartwatch apps,” asserts Goker. “While we leverage the advanced capabilities of our information tools to create plug and play solutions, we always carry our unique sense of personal touch for each customers,” adds Goker. Established in 2005, ATA Freight’s highly acknowledged Customer Service Program—ATACares provides individual attention to the customers by conducting regular meetings on business reviews;how to anticipate and adapt to the changing environment, as well as alerts on latest industry happenings.

&nbsp;“Our premier goal is to make every customer a partner and be an extension of their company. We do that by tailoring a personalized savings plan in return for their business with us,” states Goker.

Forging ahead, ATA Freight’s key ambition is to become a top 50 3PL logistics company by 2026, and its entire personnel is working tirelessly to make this a reality. “As for technological advancements, our proprietary operational software—Vizio will receive a major overhaul in 2017— and will be integrated with all our software capabilities on a single three tier architecture platform for both internal and external users,” concludes Goker.

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SOLAS Regulation - VGM - Verified Gross Mass,

The new global SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulation adopted by the International Maritime Organization will be effective July 1st. All containers scheduled for loading onto vessels sailing on/or after July 1, 2016 will require a VGM (Verified Gross Mass). It is the shippers' legal responsibility to provide VGM correctly and in a timely manner as requested by your local ATA Freight Office.

If VGM is declared incorrectly, then your shipment may be turned away, miss the vessel, put on a hold, delayed and/or may not be loaded by the Carriers, Terminals or related Authorities.

The charges related with "Weighing Cargo (pallet/container or else)" will vary based on the vendor utilized. If you request support from your local ATA Freight office to weigh your shipment, then you will be provided with further information how to manage this requirement and the fees related with this service.*

The charges related with "VGM Filing" will vary based on the carrier. Whatever the charges billed by the carrier will be reflected to you.

If/when mis-declaration is done; at origin, trans shipment location or at any other location; then re-declaration may be required by the authorities and additional charges may occur which would be reflected to you as is. Mis-declaration is subject to possible delays of your cargo. The documentation and fee requirements by the vendors or authorities may vary based on the mis-declaration and re-declaration.

Please note that each ocean carrier, terminal, or even each Country has different requirements and the fees applying to VGM rule. We are kindly requesting your understanding and patience until this requirement is settled within the industry.

We encourage you to stay in close contact with your ATA Freight local office. You can rest assure that our team will provide you their full support for you to stay in compliance, as well as, to make sure your cargo does not delay.

We will continue to monitor VGM rule and will keep you informed through our local offices.

New SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention Regulation set to go in effect July 1st,

The new global SOLAS regulation adopted by the International Maritime Organization will be effective July 1st. The new regulation will require shippers, whose name appears on the bill of lading, to verify the gross mass of the packed container.

What does this mean for shippers?

According the new SOLAS regulation for VGM (Verified Gross Mass), the shipper named on the ocean of lading is the party responsible for providing the ocean carrier and the terminal operator with the Verified Gross Mass of the Container. Containers that are tendered to the terminals that have not provided the VGM, will be turned away at the port.

If the shipper employs a freight forwarder, the responsibility still lies with the shipper even though the forwarder may pack and weigh the full container. The shipper must still verify the gross mass weight of the cargo being loaded.

There are 2 methods for shippers to provide the VGM – Verified Gross Mass

Method 1 – The weighing the fully loaded container after it has been packed with the cargo
Method 2 - Weighing the contents of the container, including cargo and any packing materials, and then adding that total to the tare weight of the container as printed on the outside.

Regarding the tender of partial loads to the freight forwarder

Shippers who offer for transportation, a partial load are not responsible for providing the Verified Gross Mass (VGM). In these arrangements, the requirements to provide the VGM of the co-loaded container resides with the shipper named on the ocean bill of lading, should that be a co-loader, NVOCC or freight forwarder.

As your logistics service provider, ATA Freight Line is available to you to provide guidance in the new IMO-SOLAS regulation. ATA Freight Line will keep you informed on the new SOLAS requirements in continued news alerts and advisories.