DSV and investment group CVC launch $14bn bids for DB Schenker

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August 23, 2024

The Bloomberg news agency is reporting that Danish transport and logistics group DSV and a consortium led by CVC Capital Partners have separately put in binding bids for DB Schenker, the forwarding and logistics arm of Germany’s Deutsche Bahn rail group.

The bids value the company at about €14 billion ($15.6 billion), Bloomberg reports.

It adds that the CVC-led group has also tabled an offer of for up to €16 billion under which the German government would reinvest a roughly 25% stake in DB Schenker underwhich the buyout firm would keep the DB Schenker brand and its German headquarters .

Deutsche Bahn revealed in December that it was exploring a sale of DB Schenker to help the rail operator cut its debt and to raise funds to invest in its network.

AP Moller-Maersk had also expressed interest in buying DB Schenker but dropped out of the bidding in July.

Puerto Rico life sciences drive pays off

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Chris Lewis

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August 21, 2024

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The Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community says its efforts have helped drive an 8% increase in life sciences exports from the island in 2024 and attracted new commercial air cargo capacity, up 7% year-on-year, according to figures from Rotate. The data specialist partners with the Community to provide an online dashboard tracking cargo movements to and from Puerto Rico.

Air cargo capacity on flights to Europe increased by 22% and 35% on routes to South America.

The Community has also set up a training program to help companies achieve IATA CEIV certification, and helped create an online directory of warehousing facilities and trucking services.

Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Manuel Cidre, said: “Our collaborative initiatives — including the IATA CEIV certification program, the development of a comprehensive industry dashboard, and incentives to enhance climate-controlled warehousing —have been instrumental in driving these positive results. The data clearly demonstrates that Puerto Rico is on the right path to becoming a global leader in life sciences logistics.”

Smart mark for Turkey’s SmartIST terminal

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Chris Lewis

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August 21, 2024

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Turkish Cargo has received IATA Smart Facility Operational Capacity Certification for its SmartIST Terminal in Istanbul. it confirms that its operational procedures comply with all IATA regulations including those for dangerous goods, ULDs, temperature control, live animals regulations and perishable cargo. The IATA SFOC Certification is granted following detailed examinations by independent auditors and demonstrates compliance of handling and storage processes.

IAG Cargo flies aid to hurricane-hit island

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Chris Lewis

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August 20, 2024

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IAG Cargo has delivered critical aid to Grenada to help with recovery from Hurricane Beryl, which struck the Caribbean island in early July.

The carrier, whose brands include British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, worked with organisations including the Grenada Overseas Association Manchester, All Saints Parish Church Bedford and the Grenada High Commission in the UK to transport aid on a British Airways 777 to Maurice Bishop International Airport. Goods shipped included first aid kits, water purification systems, bedding, non-perishable food items and hygiene items.

Dallas Forth Worth brings customs checks airside

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Chris Lewis

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August 20, 2024

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Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) said on 14 August that it had become the first airport in the country to operate a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Centralized Examination Station on the secure side of an airport.

Compared with operating outside a secure airfield environment, it expedites the direct transfer of cargo from planes to the CBP inspection facility, reducing transportation costs and enhancing efficiency and security, says DFW. The CES was made possible through a partnership between CBP, DFW Airport and dnata Cargo USA, the airport added.

With CBP officers on site, the CES ensures faster inspections and optimal use of CBP resources. It also features the latest non-intrusive inspection technology to expedite cargo exams and speeding up delivery of imported goods.

International e-commerce clearances have increased from just 16,000 in 2020 to 20 million packages in the 2023 fiscal year and, in the first half of fiscal year 2024, have already exceeded 23 million.

DFW’s executive vice president operations, Chris McLaughlin, said: “The CES is a key part of supporting DFW Airport’s rapid growth of international e-commerce package clearances. We’re just beginning to tap into our immense business potential in cargo, thanks to our location in the center of the country, coupled with our extensive air service network. We thank our partners at CBP for choosing DFW as the first airport in the nation to lean into this new operating model.”

CBP Dallas Area port director, Jayson Ahern, added: “By expediting the commercial flow of legitimate goods, this innovative Centralized Examination Station has proven to be an economic stimulus to the region. CBP has assigned officers, agriculture specialists, and supervisors to this facility since its inception, we have seen greater speed and efficiency in clearing cross-border e-commerce and imports targeted for inspection. For the American consumer, it means their products make it to their doorstep faster and safer.

“This CES will serve as a model for future port efforts throughout the United States. Together with our DFW and dnata partners, we’re proud to be on the front end of this innovative effort.”

FedEx offers Asian customers high tech tracking

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Chris Lewis

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August 20, 2024

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Federal Express has launched FedEx Surround, offering customers enhanced control and visibility of shipments en route using advanced sensor. The system is based on a lightweight sensor able to transmit precise location every two seconds via Bluetooth Low Energy to WiFi access points or gateway devices throughout its network, allowing packages to be tracked hundreds of times compared with only a few dozen of times with traditional scanning equipment.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can predict potential disruption. Priority boarding and handling and cold chain support, along with 24-hour support is available from dedicated teams is also available.

FedEx Surround is currently available in Singapore and Hong Kong, and will shortly be rolled-out to China, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Korea and Taiwan.

Etihad Cargo reorganises for growth

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Chris Lewis

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August 19, 2024

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Etihad Cargo says it has transformed its organisational structure to enhance customer experience and drive growth. The new structure will enable the carrier to align more closely with the needs of its customers with a new allocation of regions and a dedicated Customer Experience Department.

The network is now divided into four regions managed by newly appointed directors: South Asia and Oceania (SAPAC, India, Vietnam, Australia) led by Bernard Lee; North Eastern Asia (China, Hong Kong and Macau, Korea, Japan, Taiwan) led by Jacqueline Han Lin Ni; Europe and Americas (North Europe, Central Europe, South Europe, UK and Ireland, Americas) led by Rainer Krammer; and Africa, Middle East and CIS (GCC, UAE, Africa, Levant, CIS) led by Grant Kemp.

The Customer Experience Department is led by Lubna Allaham and will develop additional customised customer-centric solutions.

Etihad Cargo has also appointed Rayan Alhaddar to the new role of senior manager of business development.

On 14 August, Etihad Cargo reported a 17% increase in tonnage in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Tonnage in the East increased by 19% and by 20% in the Western region The UAE saw a 15% growth.

Air Charter Service opens in Dublin

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Chris Lewis

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August 19, 2024

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Air Charter Service, has opened an office in Dublin, its first in Ireland. It is headed by Alex Sadler, who joined ACS more than 11 years ago at the company’s London headquarters and most recently opened and ran the office at Gatwick Airport.

ACS’s chief executive, Justin Bowman, commented: “Ireland has always been on our list of where we wanted an office. In fact, it was at a company conference in Ireland more than 20 years ago that our chairman, Chris Leach, first laid out his global expansion plans for ACS to the rest of the team. This move will help us to better serve our existing customers in the country and to grow our client base further.”
The office is located in on St Stephen’s Green in central Dublin, which is home to several other aviation companies.

WFS to handle Turkish Airlines in Denver

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Chris Lewis

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August 19, 2024

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SATS Group handling arm Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has won a three-year contract from Turkish Airlines for ramp handling and cabin cleaning services at Denver International Airport in Colorado.

Denver is the carrier’s 14^th US destination having begun operations in June 2024 with three weekly flights, increasing to four in July, using Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, to and from Istanbul.

WFS will provide services including aircraft pushback, baggage handling, cargo loading/unloading and airside cargo transportation. It already provides ground handling services for Turkish Airlines in Chicago.

WFS has also won a five-year license to provide ramp handling for aircraft at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 4 from 1 October. WFS is already an established provider of passenger services for airlines at JFK, serving 12 airlines across all terminals.

Hactl steps up battery safety

By

Chris Lewis

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August 19, 2024

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Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has opened a dedicated Lithium Batteries Storage Zone,equipped with CO₂ fire suppression systems and fire-proof partitions to segregate battery cargo from other shipments. Increased provision of fire extinguishers will also help to contain any battery fire and reduce the risk of spread.

Hactl’s automated Box Storage System (BSS) has also been re-programmed to store all stillages containing lithium batteries in positions which are more accessible for fire-fighting, and isolated from other cargo types.

Hactl chief executive Wilson Kwong said: “Shipments containing lithium batteries are an important revenue stream for the air cargo industry, but the potential risks of handling lithium batteries are well known. This fact, coupled with the ever-increasing tonnages that we are required to handle, means that we must take every possible precaution.

“Hactl has already invested in an intelligent cargo thermal detection system in order to provide advance warning of any exceptional conditions that may indicate the impending risk of a battery fire. The new Zone takes this proactive approach still further, ensuring that any battery fire can be effectively contained and then quickly extinguished.”