admin Logistics are the backbone of modern economies, ensuring that goods and services move seamlessly across the globe. Efficient logistics enable industries to function smoothly, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and construction. They play a critical role in supply chain management, minimising costs and maximising efficiency. Operating within this complex web of global trade, project logistics stand out as particularly challenging due to their complexity and the high stakes involved.
Sarjak Container Lines excels in this demanding field, adhering to a philosophy of unwavering honesty with stakeholders to maintain trust and ensure the success of multi-million-dollar projects. This commitment has solidified their reputation as leaders in over-dimensional cargo transport. Founded on the philosophy of “Project Logistics, Beyond Dimensions” in 2003 in Mumbai, Sarjak Container Lines has continuously evolved to meet the growing demands of global logistics, specialising in over-dimensional and out-of-gauge (ODC/OOG) cargo transport. From a small family business to becoming an industry powerhouse that has transported over 10 million+ FRT cargo, Sarjak Container Lines has grown from strength to strength. Today, the company is powered by 300+ ‘SARJAKites’ and boasts an extensive network in 84+ countries, covering 275+ ports, and global recognition.
A Legacy of Innovation and Excellence
“We provide solutions for “Project Logistics, Beyond Dimensions.” At Sarjak Container Lines any project cargo helps in building nations, impacting the economies directly”
– Supal Shah
Sarjak Container Lines was established with a clear vision to cater to the niche market of ODC/OOG cargo transport. Over the years, as India’s infrastructure and economy expanded, the demand for efficient shipping solutions for large-scale machinery, industrial components, and heavy equipment grew exponentially. Sarjak Container Lines responded to this demand by innovating with flat racks and open top containers, which significantly improved transit times and vessel efficiency. The team at Sarjak Container Lines attributes their rapid growth to a strong dedication to project logistics excellence. They highlight that strategic investments in advanced vessels and an expansion into heavylift and breakbulk services have established the company as a leader in end-to-end project logistics.
The Industry Leaders with a Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
Mr. Supal Shah is an accomplished Strategic Management professional with 25 years of distinguished experience in the shipping and logistics industry. His core strengths span IT/process optimisation, finance/accounts, strategy, global business development, container trading/leasing, and overall business management. As the CEO of Sarjak Container Lines, Mr. Supal Shah is dedicated to building on the company’s success as a pioneer in the global OOG and ODC shipping market, steering its growth and optimising customer experience.
Joining the Sarjak Container Lines team 18 years ago, Mr. Supal Shah has been continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the logistics industry. Before upholding the CEO title, Mr. Supal Shah has held various roles and positions within the organisation, including Business Development and Managing Global Carrier Relations and CEO of Sharp I Tech, which is an IT arm of the Saksham Group.
In addition to his role at Sarjak Container Lines, Mr. Supal Shah serves as the CEO of ARCON Container, a digital start-up revolutionising container logistics by addressing key pain points for various stakeholders His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in ARCON’s creation and success. Mr. Supal also serves as the Group CTO, Group HR Head and Group Strategic Head, defining the direction and strategic approach of the company.
He holds an MBA from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, and is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. An active member of the Rotary Club since 2016, Mr. Supal Shah is known for his exceptional work ethic, commitment to organisational objectives, and ability to inspire and lead high-performing teams.
One- Stop Shop for Global Project Logistics
Sarjak Container Lines believes in delivering beyond dimensions and offers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clients. These services include:
- Odd Dimensional Containerised Cargo
Sarjak Container Lines specialises in transporting over-dimensional project cargo using its specialised equipment, boasting a fleet of 12,500 TEUs. This includes large-scale machinery, industrial components, and heavy equipment. Precision planning and advanced logistics solutions ensure that cargo reaches its destination safely and efficiently, surpassing traditional limitations. The company specialises in handling cargo that doesn’t fit into standard containers. With a dedicated team and specialised equipment, they manage every aspect of the process, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
- Breakbulk, Heavylift, Vessel Owning and Chartering
The company is dedicated to breaking bulk barriers and revolutionising the transportation of OOG and breakbulk project cargo. Services offered by Sarjak Container Lines include expert handling and shipping of OOG cargo, and ship chartering services on their vessel, the SCL Mercury. Acquired by the Saksham Group in June 2022, the SCL Mercury is a versatile multi-purpose heavylift vessel offering Semi Liner Breakbulk services across four major trade lanes. The SCL Mercury is a significant asset for the company, boasting an 8000 DWT capacity and advanced lifting capabilities. This allows them to handle a wide variety of cargo types, including heavy machinery, steel, and dry bulk cargo.
- Heavylift Cargo on Container Vessels
Sarjak Container Lines boasts an unrivalled expertise in heavylift cargo that allows them to tackle the most challenging shipments with ease. The company prides itself on offering specialised services in shipping heavylift project cargo on container vessels. With a commitment to lifting the limitless, the company ensures the safe and efficient transportation of heavylift cargo, redefining possibilities in project logistics.
- End-to-End Project Logistics
From methodical planning to precise execution, Sarjak Container Lines provides comprehensive end-to-end project logistics solutions. This includes road transport, custom clearance, stuffing/operations, and more. The expert team ensures that cargo reaches its destination safely and on time, delivering tailored solutions that drive success. The leadership at the helm takes pride in managing every stage of the logistics process and exceeding client requirements and expectations.
Personalised Project Logistics Solutions
Sarjak Container Lines understands the dynamic nature of the project logistics industry. Every project cargo is different and needs a different approach and solution. Company has invested in the right skills and a standardised process to make sure that we can offer personalised solutions to each project cargo request focusing on optimisation of transit time, safety, and cost.
Global Presence and Network
Over the years, Sarjak Container Lines has built extended network of its own offices, representative offices, and 3rd party agency network. Own offices in China, Singapore, India, Germany and USA and representative offices in Russia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Italy, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kenya assures round the clock and consistent services across the globe. To overcome time and cultural challenges, company has built processes wherein each customer can get global project logistics services approaching local offices of Sarjak Container Lines.
Maintain an Edge and Staying Ahead of the Curve
To stay updated with industry trends and best practices, Sarjak Container Lines actively participates in various exhibitions and conferences. This proactive approach ensures that the company remains at the forefront of the logistics industry, continually enhancing its services and processes. By engaging in these key events, Sarjak Container Lines gains valuable insights and builds relationships that help them stay ahead of the curve, maintaining their competitive edge and driving innovation within the industry.
Overcoming Challenges with Expertise and Determination
“In project logistics, honesty with all stakeholders is crucial; without it, you risk losing future trust and jeopardising million-dollar projects”
– Supal Shah
In the world of project logistics, challenges are a constant. Sarjak Container Lines has a proven track record of overcoming obstacles through expertise and determination. One challenging project involved shipping cargo from Genoa to Chittagong, Bangladesh. Two months later, the company discovered that the Italian shipping line had gone bankrupt, and the Chinese vessel owner had placed a lien on the cargo. This particular instance was a classic case of difficulty and challenges in project logistics, involving multiple overseas stakeholders. Despite the complexities, Sarjak Container Lines successfully navigated the situation, taking possession of the cargo in Ningbo, China, and finally delivering it to the importer.
Meeting Deadlines with Precision
Meeting deadlines is the cornerstone of logistics and Sarjak Container Lines has a history of exceeding expectations. The company ensures that even if a deadline is changed to an earlier date, they have the necessary resources and flexibility to meet the new deadline. The leadership team at Sarjak Container Lines believes that adapting to changing deadlines is part of their DNA. This depends on trade routes and the availability of shipping space, but Sarjak Container Lines uses its own fleet of equipment to ensure that changing shipping lines is not a problem. The company prides itself in having the infrastructure and expertise needed to adjust its operations and meet clients’ needs promptly.
Continuous Improvement and Customer-Centric Solutions
Sarjak Container Lines is committed to continuous improvement and customer-centric solutions. The company has implemented various changes to enhance logistics processes and customer services to make logistics as seamless as possible for clients. For instance, Indian customers can now book cargo with the India office for outbound shipments from India, imports to India, and cross-trade routes. This provides global EPC companies with better control over their procurement, with Sarjak Container Lines handling the rest. With a localised approach to ground their strategies, Sarjak Container Lines implements personalised services and ultra-efficient solutions with record turn-around times.
A Logistics Firm with a Difference
Sarjak Container Lines stands out from its peers by offering personalised solutions and experiences to customers. Using their own fleet of equipment allows the company to control the quality of services better than competitors. ‘Not Just Project Cargo, We Move Economies’ is the core motto of the company. Built on the core values of passion, respect for knowledge and experience, honesty and a commitment to stakeholders, Sarjak Container Lines has become one of the most trusted names in the market. Being honest with customers and vendors, respecting the expertise of the team, and staying passionate about what they do are the core tenets that help Sarjak Container Lines secure an edge in the competitive logistics industry.
Creating A Compassionate Work Environment
The core team at Sarjak Container Lines believes that the success of the company lies in taking a holistic approach to team performance – setting organisational goals and distributing them across different regions to achieve success. For back-office functions, the company invests in the right talent, IT resources, and audit processes to ensure the highest level of compliance and quick response times. The team performance is evaluated yearly using a phygital approach, combining digital systems and personal interactions to understand achievements, challenges, and future aspirations. The team at Sarjak Container Lines leverages digital tools to track performance metrics while also placing a strong emphasis on personal interactions to understand their team’s needs and goals.
Investing in Technology and Future Plans
Sarjak Container Lines is actively investing in new technologies and innovations in the logistics field. Currently, the company is working on SCL Connect, a customer portal designed to enhance engagement and visibility for all customers booking digitally. This platform will allow customers to get quotes, negotiate, book, and track their cargo 24/7. For the team, the SCL Connect is a significant step forward in the company’s digital transformation journey. It will empowers customers with real-time information and seamless interaction, enhancing their overall experience.
The leadership team talks about growth and expansion focused future plans. They are continually exploring new opportunities to enhance their services and better serve their clients. Looking ahead, Sarjak Container Lines is working on adding more breakbulk services, both with own vessels and chartered vessels. The company is also exploring new routes to operate its services, further expanding its global reach.
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