MYCRANE, the world’s first digital platform for the search and selection of cranes, has announced the appointment of an exclusive pan-India franchisee.

The free-to-use MYCRANE service will be operated in India by Mumbai-based Sahil Freight Express Pvt Ltd. Established in 1986, the company has extensive experience in the freight and logistics sector.

As an exclusive distributor for Scheuerle in the past, Sahil was responsible for introducing the manufacturer’s globally-renowned SPMTs, modular platform trailers and semi-trailers to the Indian market. In addition, Sahil has handled a number of heavy lift projects, and was the pioneer in establishing the concept of NVOCC/ LCL (less-than-container-load) consolidation as a service provided by freight forwarders in India.

The franchise partnership agreement was signed at Expo 2020 Dubai, currently taking place in the UAE, by MYCRANE founder and director Andrei Geikalo and Suhail Shaikh, the chairman and managing director of Sahil Freight Express Pvt Ltd.

“India has one of the fastest digitising economies in the world, as well as a very positive outlook for the Indian cranes and construction sector, so we are delighted to be opening the MYCRANE service in the country. In Sahil Freight, we have the right partners who have a proven track record of introducing new products and services to the market. I have no doubt MYCRANE will be a big success in India,” said Geikalo.

The crane market in India is expected to grow strongly in the coming years. The ongoing expansion of roads and metro railways and the routine maintenance and upgrading of oil refineries, cement and power plants are all driving demand for cranes.

Suhail Shaikh added: “While the crane market is expected to be very strong in the coming years, it remains a fact that the majority of the rental equipment market in India is dominated by smaller, informal players. MYCRANE therefore has a huge opportunity to make life easier for those seeking crane rental services, by connecting them with a wide range of reliable equipment providers who have been thoroughly vetted by our team. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to getting to work in the Indian market.”