Balmer Lawrie, a diversified public sector undertaking, has appointed Adhip Pal Chaudhuri as its new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). This announcement follows the retirement of Adika Ratna Sekhar on June 30, 2024. Adhip, who has been a whole-time director on the board since March 1, 2020, will take on the additional charge as CMD starting July 1, 2024. He is currently serving as the Director of the service business division of the company.
With over 30 years of corporate experience, Adhip’s tenure at Balmer Lawrie began in 2012. His responsibilities have included overseeing the company’s logistics, infrastructure, services, cold chain, and travel and vacations business. His strategic acumen is further highlighted by his role on the board of the Vishakhapatnam Port Authority and his leadership of the Balmer Lawrie start-up fund initiative.
In a related development, Balmer Lawrie has launched a new rail service connecting its container freight station (CFS) in Calcutta to Haldia port. The “Port Link Express” is designed to be a cost-effective and eco-friendly land bridge, aimed at enhancing trade logistics in the eastern region of India. This service is expected to run 2 to 3 trains per week, significantly reducing logistics costs and carbon footprint, promoting sustainable trade practices.
The debut export train, which ran on June 29, was operated by Hind Terminals and carried 90 export TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of the MSC Line. The initiative underscores the importance of regulatory support from customs authorities in facilitating smoother trade and is poised to become a vital component of the eastern region’s trade infrastructure.
This strategic appointment and the new rail service highlight Balmer Lawrie’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and enhancing its operational efficiency to support the region’s economic growth.
