Triton Logistics & Maritime Pvt. is actively diversifying its exposure across multiple economic corridors as ongoing global disruptions like the US-Iran war continue to strain shipping operations and working capital.
Speaking to NDTV Profit, CEO Jitendra Srivastava said shipping routes are being significantly altered, with vessels now having to reroute journeys by nearly 4,000 miles to avoid disruption-prone corridors like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb in the Middle East region. This has resulted in transit delays of close to two additional weeks, forcing logistics companies to reconsider planning and cost structures.
“We now have to start budgeting for time paralysis,” Srivastava said, highlighting the operational challenges caused by longer and unpredictable transit cycles. He added that these delays are making it increasingly difficult to accurately assess cost differentials, or delta, in the near term.
Srivastava stressed that clients will need to place a sharper focus on cash management as extended shipping timelines tie up capital for longer periods. He said alternative logistics solutions are available but warned these options will come at a higher cost.
As uncertainty persists, Srivastava noted that clients are increasingly seeking innovative and unconventional solutions to manage supply chain risks. “People are looking for many solutions, particularly out-of-the-box approaches, to navigate the current environment,” he said.
The logistics industry, he added, remains in a transition phase as companies adapt to shifting trade routes, rising costs and evolving client expectations.
When it comes to Triton, Srivastava said that working capital pressures have intensified, with margins stretched close to the breakeven point. He noted that the current environment has also triggered a price war across the logistics sector, describing it as a "very sentimental game" given the uncertainty surrounding costs and delivery timelines.
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