Gujarat Junction 2025 and Exim Star Awards 2025 delivers insights, recognition and networking

Exim India’s Gujarat Junction 2025 and Exim Star Awards 2025, the 15th edition, reaffirmed its stature, yet again, as the definitive regional gathering of the maritime, cargo and logistics fraternity. Held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Radisson Hotel Kandla in Gandhidham, the event was marked by enthusiasm, anticipation and vibrant participation.

Engaging CEO Roundtable

The proceedings began with the CEO Roundtable, featuring a distinguished panel of leaders from across the cargo and logistics spectrum. Their thought provoking insights and perspectives on the theme “Gujarat: Leading the Charge in Port & Logistics with Comprehensive Development” captivated the audience.

The session was skillfully moderated by Mr Mitesh Dharamshi, General Manager -  Kandla, Parekh Group, whose incisive questions drew out relevant opinions on Gujarat’s current logistics landscape and future trajectory. The discussion spanned operational, regulatory and policy dimensions, while interactive exchanges with delegates added depth and dynamism.

Some of the views expressed in brief

Mr Jeet Shah, Director & CFO, S J Logistics India Limited, began proceedings by highlighting that the region is a key cargo and logistics hub of the country, with its two important ports of Kandla and Mundra and other facilities. Gujarat is good for business, he stressed.

Mr Shanu Gupta, Director, Rishi Kiran Logistics Pvt. Ltd., talked about the vast logistics infrastructure in Gujarat, which enables smooth logistics operations catering to especially northern and central India, its focus on port-led development, its stature as a leading coastal shipping hub, the advantages of the Gujarat-based GIFT City, the proposed shipbuilding facility, green hydrogen hub etc.     

Mr Mukesh Oza, Group President & CEO, Samsara Group, in a virtual address, described Gujarat as India’s maritime and logistics backbone, the result of years of effort and policy impetus that went into creating its massive, diversified and globally competitive port infrastructure, its integrated multimodal logistics connectivity, industrial clusters linked to ports etc. And this is a continuous process, with much more to come.      

Mr Avtar Singh Sohal, Chief Commercial Officer, Samsara Group, reiterated the Group’s commitment to serving the fraternity.  

Mr Mitesh Dharamshi, General Manager - Kandla, Parekh Group, made a pertinent comment that bulk, dry bulk and break bulk cargo handling will always be around due to some of their inherent advantages.

Mr Dilip Chudasama, Sales Director - Area 

India, Hapag-Lloyd India Pvt. Ltd., expected 2026 to be a challenging year for carriers with the likelihood of a volatile market. There will be a lot of cost and operational focus, smart capacity moves will be made by carriers, smart cost management will be looked at, and how to better utilise assets will be considered. Till the time it is safe for assets, cargo and people, Hapag-Lloyd will not be transiting through the Suez Canal, he said. 

Mr Manoj Katar, COO, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), highlighted the planned expansion of Mundra Port’s container handling capacity in the coming years alongside the upgrades to its rail infrastructure.

Mr Rahul Jain, CEO, Saurashtra Freight Pvt. Ltd., said that Gujarat will remain the flag-bearer of the entire spectrum of shipping and logistics. He emphasised that CFSs will continue to be relevant despite DPD and DPE, expanding their service offerings. He also stressed the importance of value-added services.

Mr Devashish Patyal, Deputy CEO, INTECH Group, said Gujarat will also be at the centre of digitisation. Digitisation is expanding with technology and is not just a tool for cost reduction, but can be used to optimise and scale, to obtain the best productivity, and seamlessly move the cargo. Technology is the enabler for the next    generation of logistics, he emphasised.

Among the many leading lights who graced the occasion (see box on page 18) were Mr C. Harichandran, OSD, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla and Dr Rajesh Kumar Nagora, IRS, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Mundra.  

Senior officials from ICDs, CFSs and rail operators, including CONCOR, were also present.

Rousing Awards Gala

Excitement peaked during the Exim Star Awards 2025, where winners across more than 30 categories were honoured with trophies and certificates amid uplifting music and applause.

The highlight of the evening was the standing ovation for Mr Sadashiv P. Shetty of Meridian Freight Forwarders Pvt. Ltd., who received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry.

Felicitations and Lucky Draw

The event also celebrated two notable contributions to the sector:

* Velji Dosabhai & Sons Pvt. Ltd. – Honoured for over a century of commitment to logistics excellence.

* Mundra Customs – Recognised for its pivotal role in modernising and simplifying trade processes.

The Awards Jury, chaired by Mr Dhiren Mehta, was felicitated for its efforts, while a lively Lucky Draw added an element of surprise and joy, with two winners walking away with an exciting prize.

Consolidating premier status

With its blend of insightful deliberations, deserving accolades and prolific networking, Gujarat Junction 2025 and Exim Star Awards 2025 once again underscored their position as the premier platform for the region’s maritime and logistics community.

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