Interview of the week - Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) - United Arab Emirates

Presently working as the Vice President for Operations & Projects, Oil & Gas, Sreenath joined CSS in 2002. Having been given the great opportunity to lay the foundations of the CSS Branch office in Bahrain, he later moved to the sales department at CSS Dubai.

From sales to operations to supply chain management, transport, and Projects Oil & Gas, he has been allowed to handle various aspects of freight forwarding industry.

It's now been 18 years with CSS & almost three decades in the industry and Sreenath still feels as young and vibrant as the day he joined CSS.

Tell us about Consolidated Shipping Services. Who owns the company?

Consolidated Shipping Services Group is an integrated freight forwarding solution provider with offices covering the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Started in 1995, we have completed 25 years in 2020 and have grown from just an NOVOCC operator in 1995 to being an integrated freight forwarding and Logistics group as we are today.

CSS group is owned by Mr. T.S. KALADHARAN who is the founding chairman and owner of the CSS group of companies.

Where are your offices located?

With the regional HQ based out of Jebel Ali free zone, our offices are located in Middle East & Indian Subcontinent (UAE, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait), as well as India (10 offices) and Sri Lanka.

What is CSS's specialty and service range?

With a team consisting of over 750 experienced and dedicated professionals across 20 offices, CSS can meet a client’s freight forwarding requirements - be it by sea, land or air. CSS group adapts itself to the industry’s latest trends, offering efficient and feasible solutions to its clients and associates.

Projects, Oil and Energy division is another success, providing end-to-end solutions in project management.

We carefully study the geographical and product mix of our clients to provide the best solution while optimizing their business, saving them money and time. Our customers know they can count on us for flexible scheduling and efficient management. With great support from our partners worldwide, and of course needless to mention the back up from members of "The Heavy Lift Group", we have been able to provide our customers with an end-to-end seamless logistics solution.
 
Our other services include: NVOCC / Ocean Freight management, Air Freight management, Land Transportation management, Industrial Packing, Crating & Lashing, Multimodal Operations, Container Freight Station, Automobile Logistics, Supply Chain management, Hospitality & Hotel Logistics, Exhibition & Event Logistics and Yacht & Marine Logistics.

Tell us about projects that you have handled recently.

Over the last two years, we are proud to say that we have played a very important role in the Dubai Metro expansion projects 2020, being a direct vendor of M/S Alstom Transport S.A.

We have also been an integral part of the Zirku Island development project in Abu Dhabi & have had the opportunity to be a part of the Lanaz Refinery expansion Project Erbil, Iraq.

Are there any tricky points one should consider when planning a project cargo movement in the UAE?

The trickiest thing would be the local know-how about the land, the diverse landscapes, rules & regulations (especially the Do’s and Don’ts). It is also a bit tricky planning moves during the holy months, due to short working hours. Though there is immense support from the government, local knowledge will be the greatest value addition.

What is your advantage against competition? Why do you stand out?

With our 25 years in the industry in the U.A.E and with experience & presence in the region, we are able to give our customers a one stop solution to their logistics requirements.

What made you join the industry?

I joined the industry very young and have worked my way up the ladder by working in various departments, or should I say aspects, of our industry, from operations to sales, to 3PL & supply chain, to Oil & Gas & Projects.

It has been 29 years and more since then and I feel that what made me join the industry is the passion and the new challenges that come across daily and keep me motivated.

What was the impact that COVID-19 brought to your business?

As this pandemic has affected the rest of the world, U.A.E., along with the region, have also been deeply affected. The EXPO 2020 which was to be conducted in 2020 has been postponed for October 2021, therefore stalling & delaying various projects during last year.

COVID 19 pandemic has of course brought in many delays in various projects. The industry itself had to look into different ways of conducting / fulfilling day to day requirements, as working from home made things a bit trickier. 

Who should be approached in CSS for inquiries?

You can contact: 

• Sreenath V., Vice President, Operations & Projects, sreenath@cssdubai.com
• Arun P., Manager, Project, Oil & Energy division, arunp@cssdubai.com