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Cainiao to create dedicated Liege hub

Chris Lewis

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November 27, 2023

Saudia Cargo, Cainiao, and Worldwide Flight Services are to create a dedicated area at the Cainiao Liege eHub in Belgium from 1 March 2024 as part of a reinforced strategic collaboration. The move is in response to increasing demand for cross-border e-commerce, particularly in the Middle East and European markets. A WFS/SATS contract to handle over 50,000 tonnes annually on flights between Liege and Riyadh has been extended.

Earlier this year, Cainiao unveiled its international express shipping service, Global 5-Day Delivery, in collaboration with AliExpress, now available in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Korea.

John Batten, chief executive, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia at WFS (a member of the SATS Group) commented:“E-commerce is extremely important to WFS/SATS, our customers, our industry, and, of course, consumers, but up to now, it has been processed within a traditional air cargo handling environment.

With the growth projections for e-commerce, the industry response must be more dynamic and tailored, and this is what WFS/SATS aims to deliver in Liege working alongside Saudia Cargo and Cainiao. This three-party collaboration leverages operational excellence skills and requirements from the airline, cargo handler, and e-commerce logistics perspectives, and will exemplify our commitment to innovation, speed, and real-time information for the future of the e-commerce logistics ecosystem.”

Saudia Cargo chief executive, Teddy Zebitz, said:”With high frequency flights on our Hong Kong, to Liege Via Riyadh route, we have a significant capacity exclusively dedicated to Cainiao. Utilizing a meticulous process involving pre-built ULDs, we facilitate an uninterrupted supply chain, supporting Cainiao in achieving their key performance indicators.”

Vice president of Cainiao Group, Eric Xu, stated: “Through continuously equipping our Liege eHub with cutting-edge technology solutions, we managed to boost the efficiency of logistics operations while improving customer experience through greater transparency and traceability. We are confident that this win-win collaboration will further reinforce Cainiao’s position as the world’s leading cross-border e-commerce logistics provider by offering the valued customers of us three companies with enhanced experience.”

Cars take to the air with Qatar Cargo

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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November 27, 2023

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Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a ‘Drive’ automobile transport service. Vehicles such as vintage cars or premium models can be moved on freighter or passenger flights to more than 160 belly-hold and over 70 freighter destinations as well as on non-scheduled services.

The airline’s specialist teams from Special Loads, Dangerous Goods, Operations, Charters and its loadmasters collaborate to offer solutions in particular ensuring safety measures, and that vehicles are tied down and secured properly before flight.

In 2022, Qatar Airways Cargo transported over 1400 vehicles.

Tech firm Pledge to highlight logistics emissions at COP28

Chris Lewis

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November 23, 2023

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Tech firm Pledge to highlight logistics emissions at COP28

Climate tech firm Pledge and non-profit group Smart Freight Center are to host a round at the COP28 summit in Dubai on 6 December to bring together carriers, forwarders, and shippers to share best practices and exchange ideas to meet net-zero targets.

It will also highlight innovative solutions, technologies, and methodologies, such as Smart Freight Centre’s GLEC Framework and ISO Standard 14083, which can help the industry to meet net-zero targets.

Smart Freight Centre focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation and is promoting accredited emissions reporting with its GLEC Framework and ISO Standard 14083.

Pledge co-founder and chief executive David de Picciotto said: “The OECD has predicted that global logistics emissions are set to increase 42% by 2050 – the same year the Paris Agreement has tasked the EU to achieve net zero carbon. If we’re going to meet this challenging goal, the industry needs to come together and collaborate.”

DoKaSch opens in Dubai

Chris Lewis

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November 23, 2023

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DoKaSch Temperature Solutions has opened a depot in United Arab Emirates, close to Dubai-World Central Airport. The UAE’s pharma market expected to reach a value of US$4.7 billion and the new depot will also be a gateway to the Indian subcontinent, a key production region.

New study boosts cold chain efficiency

Chris Lewis

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November 21, 2023

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Tower Cold Chain and Cardiff Business School have constructed a mathematical ‘model’ showing how temperature-controlled containers might flow around the global network of existing or new hubs. It is part of a UK government grant supported study that enlisted the expertise of scholars in the School’s Logistics and Operations Management section to test the feasibility of a decision support system for Tower’s global distribution. Tower said it could help to minimize empty movements and over-stocking and reduce operational costs.

Rotate to offer air capacity data for free

Chris Lewis

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November 21, 2023

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Rotate to offer air capacity data for free

Software and data specialist Rotate has launched a real-time capacity and market intelligence tool for the air cargo industry. It contains live updated flight data from thousands of airlines, more than 9,000 airports and over 200 aircraft types and is available free-of-charge to air cargo companies.

Co-founder Gert-Jan Jansen said the Rotate Live Capacity tool supports functions including network design, business development, benchmarking, carrier management, pricing, and market trend analysis.

Fellow co-founder, Ryan Keyrouse, added: “Our belief is that the real value is not the market data itself, but rather in the interpretation and the analysis of this data, which drives actions and better decisions.”

The Capacity Live tool will be enhanced with premium features over time such as capacity forecasts, alerts on capacity changes, capacity overviews and a competitive position analyser.

https://app.letsrotate.com/sign-up

Menzies secures Heathrow cargo contracts

Chris Lewis

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November 21, 2023

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Menzies secures Heathrow cargo contracts

Menzies Aviation has renewed and secured several new key cargo contracts with airlines at London’s Heathrow Airport including Thai Airways Cargo, Middle East Airlines, Royal Air Maroc Cargo, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines Cargo and Tarom.

Among the new contracts, Menzies is set to deliver cargo handling and airside trucking services for Thai Airways, overseeing the transportation of more than 16,000 tonnes of vegetables and fresh fish on 14 turns per week.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo has appointed Menzies to manage its cargo handling at Heathrow, managing seven turns per week.

Royal Jordanian Airlines, has added cargo handling and airside trucking to its existing passenger and ramp handling agreement. The extended contract will include 14 additional turns per week, with more than 6,000 cargo tonnes anticipated each year.

Menzies Aviation has also locked in a further five-years with Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines, to provide air cargo handling services and airside trucking for more than 14 turns per weeks, including more than 1,700 tonnes of fresh vegetables.

Menzies will also continue providing cargo handling services for SAS Cargo, over 35 turns per week and will also continue serving long standing cargo customer, Tarom of Romania, with seven turns per week.

Vice president cargo – Europe, Karl Aldwinckle, said: “It is fantastic to see such positive momentum, with a series of wins and renewals for the cargo team at London Heathrow, helping to expand our cargo footprint in Europe. We have an ambitious cargo expansion strategy and are proud to have built strong relationships with our customers who recognise our service driven approach. We’re excited to continue building on these relationships and expand our reach in Europe and beyond.”

Joseph Tam to head up Greater China cargo for ACS

Chris Lewis

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November 17, 2023

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Air Charter Service has promoted Hong Kong-based Joseph Tam to cargo director of its new Greater China region.
James Royds-Jones, recently appointed as regional director for Greater China, commented: “Joseph has been with ACS for more than 12 years now – his experience in the region is unparalleled and he truly leads by example in the cargo sector here from the Hong Kong office.”
Chief executive, Justin Bowman, added: “In his new role Joseph will be working even more closely with our cargo teams in both Shanghai and Beijing, as well as in his own in Hong Kong. We will be looking to strengthen the team in the region further in the new year, as we look to develop our already substantial presence in Greater China.”

ECS restarts Niger flight

Airlines
GSA

Chris Lewis

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November 15, 2023

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ECS Group has reinstated its B747 Niger Air Cargo service the sole, direct full-freighter connection from Europe. The service had been suspended following the military coup in the west African country. It offers 150 tonnes of cargo capacity per month from Liège, Belgium to Niger’s main cargo hub, Niamey International Airport, offering a link to neighbouring Nigeria and Mali.

During the pandemic, Niger Air Cargo’s leased B747 was instrumental in ensuring that medical and relief goods could be brought into the country. The airline also provided temporary cargo import solutions during the recent difficult circumstances.

ECS Group chairman Adrien Thominet, said: “Demand to Niger is quickly recovering to previous year levels and looks equally promising as we head into the new year. Thanks go to our Niger Air Cargo team which continues to prove its resilience and flexibility in the face of unpredictable challenges.”

German forwarder opens Texas site

Chris Lewis

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November 14, 2023

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German-owned forwarding and logistics company Deugro has opened a 96,775sq ft operations and logistics terminal in Baytown, near Houston, Texas. It includes 7.3 acres of paved and fenced hardstanding, suitable for cargo storage along with access to the Houston Ship Channel, local ports and major highways.

The facility is equipped with 24/7 CCTV and alarm monitoring security systems, is climate-controlled and has advanced real-time automated inventory management, including line-item checking, tracking, and material receipt. IT solutions offer control and visibility at line-item level and documentation generation for commercial invoice and packing list generation.

The terminal offers long-term and short-term storage solutions, including palletized or bulk storage and ‘out-of-the box’ solutions for storing industrial and oil field services equipment.

Full packing services are available on site, including customized export crating, casing, container packing and unpacking, and cross[1]docking. The facility is powered by renewable energy sources.

Handling equipment ranges from 3,000 to 55,000lb capacity forklifts and there are two high, all-weather container loading docks, an oversized cargo door for cargo and 14 grade level overhead doors.

The outdoor secured hardstanding has laydown areas, including six dock high truck wells.

Global head of supply chain logistics, Deugro USA, Jeff Smith, said: “Deugro is starting a new chapter of growth and prosperity— providing seamless logistics solutions, climate-controlled warehousing, and customized packing and crating in the operational environment of a true project freight forwarder.”

President – North America at Deugro USA, Tobias Schultz, added: “Deugro USA’s new Operations and Logistics Terminal in Baytown marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering top[1]tier logistics solutions. With tech-driven facilities and a strategic location, this expansion ensures we can provide out-of-the-box, bespoke solutions for handling and storing project assets, including industrial and oil field services equipment.

Our state-of-the-art inventory management, coupled with a committed team prepared for rapid order fulfilment, is geared toward providing our clients with unparalleled advantages in the industry.”