Without the right logistics support, shipments can get delayed, projects can miss deadlines, and costs can quickly spiral out of control. Coordinating goods across ports, transport modes, and teams is complicated, and even small mistakes can create big problems. That’s why expert guidance is so important. It ensures shipments move on time, safely, and efficiently, helping businesses reduce risks, stay organized, and focus on growth instead of constantly solving avoidable problems.
Dr. Sharmila H. Amin, Managing Director at Bertling Logistics, is a leader in handling complex project cargo and end-to-end supply chain operations. She combines hands-on experience, smart planning, and technology to make logistics run smoothly.
Her work includes:
- Managing high-risk cargo
- Empowering teams to make quick decisions
- Creating standardized processes
- Using digital tools for full operational visibility and coordination
Dr. Amin’s approach shows that logistics leadership is about more than moving goods. It is about planning, fostering collaboration, and building systems that keep operations efficient, reliable, and ready for sustainable growth.
Ground-Level Start
Dr. Sharmila Amin began her journey in the logistics industry by working directly in freight and cargo operations, gaining hands-on experience in airfreight, customs, and project logistics. As she navigated the complexities of coordinating people, ports, and multiple modes of transport, she realized that logistics was much like conducting a large, global orchestra. Her growing passion for solving intricate operational challenges, along with a desire to build strong, capable teams to execute high-complexity projects, naturally led her to take on leadership roles at Globe Forwarding and later at Bertling Logistics in South Asia.
Proactive Risk Management and Project Governance
A key challenge Dr. Sharmila Amin encountered while leading Bertling Logistics was managing the scale and complexity of operations. This involved overseeing large, high-risk project shipments and thousands of smaller, time-sensitive deliveries, particularly during market disruptions like the pandemic. She addressed these challenges by implementing cross-functional training to enable teams to adapt quickly, strengthening partner networks, and maintaining rigorous project governance to identify and mitigate risks early. Through persistent effort, clear communication, and trusted vendor relationships, she transformed these challenges into efficient, repeatable processes that ensure operational excellence.
Work Environment Where Employees Feel Empowered
Dr. Sharmila believes in creating a work environment where employees feel empowered, work together seamlessly, and are encouraged to come up with innovative solutions. She achieves this by making decision-making simpler and giving teams real ownership of their responsibilities, rather than having every decision go through multiple layers of approval.
A great example of this approach was during the COVID-era route disruptions, when supply chains faced unexpected challenges. Dr. Sharmila Amin set up a small, focused “war-room” team made up of representatives from operations, customs, and commercial departments. This team was given the authority to make day-to-day decisions about routing shipments and managing vendors without needing constant approvals from higher management.
This approach had a big impact:
- Decisions were made much faster
- Problems were solved in real time
- Projects stayed on schedule despite disruptions
The success of this strategy was so clear that it has now become a standard way of managing high-risk projects throughout the organization. It shows that empowering teams and trusting them to make decisions improves efficiency, builds confidence, and accountability across the company.
Specialized Project Logistics Services
Bertling Logistics combines global reach with regional expertise, offering specialized services and a strong presence in India.
Their capabilities can be seen across key operational areas:
| Global Presence | Bertling Logistics: ~50 offices, ~700 employees worldwide |
| Regional Representation | Globe Forwarding acts as Bertling’s exclusive agent in the region |
| Specialized Services | Dedicated project fleet and a range of specialized logistics capabilities |
| India Operations | Handles over 250 project shipments annually, employs 54 people, revenue > 60 crores |
Collaborating with Ports and Heavy-Lift Equipment Providers
Bertling Logistics actively explores strategic partnerships that strengthen end-to-end project delivery, including collaborations in:
- Ports and Heavy-Lift Equipment: Partnering with ports and heavy-lift machinery suppliers to ensure safe, efficient, and timely handling of oversized and complex cargo.
- Last-Mile Transport: Collaborating with regional transport providers to deliver shipments accurately, on time, and cost-effectively, even in challenging locations.
- Specialist Charter Services: Working with providers of specialized vessels, aircraft, or road charters to handle unique or time-critical shipments safely and reliably.
The company focuses on selective partnerships that align with its vision of safer, faster, and greener project logistics.
These include:
- Last-Mile Heavy-Lift Operations: Partnering with experts to move oversized loads safely and on schedule.
- Multimodal Hubs: Collaborating with integrated road, rail, and port hubs for optimized routing and better supply chain visibility.
- Digital Supply Chain Solutions: Using technology partners for tracking, analytics, and real-time reporting to ensure transparency and faster decision-making.
Real-Time Shipment Visibility
Bertling Logistics differentiates itself by combining deep industry experience with digital tools and proprietary methods, such as:
- Transport Tracking & Route Optimization: Real-time shipment tracking and optimized routes reduce delays, save costs, and ensure timely deliveries.
- TMS Integrations: Seamless coordination between carriers, warehouses, and customers for full visibility and fewer errors.
- Project Governance Templates: Clear roles, timelines, and escalation points streamline complex, high-risk projects.
- Standardized Checklists & Dashboards: Ensure every step is followed meticulously and allow proactive, fast responses to challenges.
This approach minimizes surprises, enhances accountability, and ensures faster, more reliable execution compared to generalist providers.
Upskilling for Future-Ready Logistics
Dr. Sharmila Amin observes several key trends shaping the global logistics industry today.
These include:
- Increased infrastructure investment and modernization of ports, improving efficiency and capacity for large-scale projects.
- Wider adoption of technology, such as digital tracking and supply chain visibility tools, enables real-time monitoring and faster decision-making.
- Growth in project and renewable sector cargoes requires specialized handling and expertise.
- A stronger focus on regulatory compliance, ensuring safety, reliability, and adherence to international standards.
To stay ahead and lead these changes, Bertling Logistics is taking proactive steps:
- Strengthening project-capable teams to manage complex and high-risk shipments efficiently.
- Investing in digital tools and technology for tracking, analytics, and end-to-end supply chain visibility.
- Building strategic partnerships with port and road authorities to streamline operations and reduce delays.
- Upskilling employees in handling renewable energy projects and large infrastructure cargoes.
Through these initiatives, Dr. Sharmila Amin is not just adapting to industry trends but setting higher standards for service, efficiency, and reliability in complex logistics operations globally.
Advice For New Leaders And Entrepreneurs In Logistics
Dr. Sharmila Amin advises new leaders and entrepreneurs in logistics to focus on the entire customer journey rather than just individual tasks. She emphasizes learning from hands-on experiences by spending time on docks, in warehouses, and with carriers to gain practical insights into operations. Building a reputation for reliability is crucial because trust is the foundation for repeat business. She also highlights the importance of investing in teams and empowering them to make decisions, as their growth drives the success of the organization. Above all, she reminds emerging leaders that ethics and compliance should never be compromised since shortcuts may save time initially but often create bigger challenges in the long run.
Ensuring Trust And Transparency With Clients
Bertling Logistics builds trust and ensures transparency with clients, partners, and employees by strictly following established customs, trade compliance regulations, and ISO frameworks wherever applicable. Client information is carefully protected through documented service level agreements, contractual NDAs, and controlled data-access protocols. Transparency is further reinforced with clear billing practices, regular third-party audits for high-risk projects, and well-defined procedures for addressing any compliance issues. In essence, Bertling combines well-documented processes, secure data management, and regular governance reviews to ensure that every action is reliable, ethical, and fully accountable.
Media Features
Dr. Sharmila Amin’s expertise and insights have been recognized across leading industry publications, highlighting her thought leadership in logistics and project management:
- Shared insights on project logistics and the impact of COVID in Maritime Gateway
- Discussed freight road and rail challenges in Cargo Talk
- Commented on infrastructure issues in The CEO Magazine
- Featured in leadership profiles by Passion Vista, Business Insight Media, and Cargo Insights
Future Vision
Over the next three to five years, Bertling Logistics plans to strengthen and scale its operations while driving innovation across the logistics landscape. The company is focused on expanding its project logistics footprint, particularly in sectors such as renewables, heavy engineering, and emerging industries. Simultaneously, Bertling is investing in digitalisation and data-driven technologies to make supply chains faster, smarter, and more transparent. Sustainability remains central to its strategy, as the company strives to build a future-ready logistics organisation that sets new benchmarks for reliability, innovation, and customer-centricity. Through these initiatives, Bertling Logistics aims to shape the future of logistics in India and to contribute to the country’s emergence as a global logistics hub.
Quick Takes (It will be designed separately)
- Recommended tool/app: Trello or Monday.com for tracking complex logistics operations clearly, or industry-specific tools like Cargo Wise.
- Motivating quote: “Lead with clarity, act with integrity, and the results will follow.”
- Advice for future leaders: “Build competence before you chase scale; expertise earns trust, and trust builds everything else.”
- Book/movie recommendation: Book – The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz; Movie – The Pursuit of Happiness.
Dr Sharmila Amin’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
- Plan with Precision: Execute with excellence to minimize risks and ensure smooth operations
- Empower Teams: Give ownership and decision-making authority for faster, collaborative problem-solving
- Leverage Technology: Use digital tools and data for smarter, transparent supply chains
- Build Trust: Prioritize reliability, ethics, and transparency with clients and partners
- Focus on Growth: Expand strategically and integrate sustainable practices for long-term value
