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Pallet-building tech to optimise Etihad cargo flights

Chris Lewis

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August 29, 2023

Air services company Dnata has partnered with logistics technology solutions provider Speedcargo to deliver services to Etihad Cargo at Singapore Changi Airport.

Following successful trials, Speedcargo’s artificial intelligence (AI)-based Cargo Eye and Assemble solutions installed at Dnata’s facilities will help optimise cargo capacity for the carrier’s daily flights from Singapore.

Cargo Eye uses advanced, vision-based 3D technology to scan and capture exact cargo dimensions, volume data, images, and labels. This information is then fed into Assemble which creates a digital plan, advising Dnata’s cargo handling teams of the optimal method of building a pallet. Charles Galloway, dnata’s regional chief executive, airport operations – Asia Pacific, said: “Working alongside Speedcargo, Cargo Eye and Assemble will enable us to provide Etihad Cargo and its customers with digital audit trails of how their cargo has been handled, improving efficiency and providing a quality end-to-end service.”

Emirates goes live on CargoMART

Chris Lewis

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August 29, 2023

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Emirates SkyCargo is now live on CargoAi’s CargoMART marketplace solution. It is being launched in the Netherlands, Spain and France, and will open up to customers in select countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia in the coming months. Customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules, tariff and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity and make immediate bookings. Once the system is fully operational, over 10,000 freight forwarders on CargoAi’s database will have access.

WFS to build fifth Madrid terminal

Chris Lewis

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August 24, 2023

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Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of The SATS Group, is to open a fifth cargo handling terminal at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

WFS aims to begin operations from the6,500sq m (69,965sq ft) facility by the end of the first quarter of 2024, increasing its total cargo facility footprint in Madrid to 17,000sq m (183,000sq ft).

WFS has been present in the Madrid cargo and ground handling market since 1998 and serves 39 airline customers, as well as providing trucking services connecting other key airports in Spain and across the EU.

The new building will offer 17 landside truck and van docks, two build-up-pallet lanes and docks, four airside truck and dolly docks with tilting and 20-foot ULD handling capabilities, a secured refrigerated cargo acceptance area, 2-8°C and 15-25°C loose and mechanised temperature-controlled cool rooms and a mechanised handling system connecting the landside and airside docks.

Like WFS’ other cargo terminals in Madrid, it will be powered by 100% renewable energy, including solar panels located on the roof. Indoor AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) will also be introduced into the facility in the second half of 2024.

Digitisation initiatives will include the launch of Cargospot mobile warehouse technology, the CargoKiosk system to automate and expedite truck processing times, and a Warehouse Workflow Monitoring System.

Managing director of WFS in Spain, Humberto Castro, said: “Madrid is such a strategically important cargo market as a hub for Central and South America to and from the EU and connecting the Middle and Far East markets. This new cargo terminal will help to future-proof WFS’ service offering by increasing our handling capacity by 60% for our current and future airline customers.

“This will enable us to accommodate strong organic growth and support the significant increase of inbound e-commerce traffic from China.”

We have lift-off, says ACS Houston

Brokers

Chris Lewis

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August 23, 2023

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Air Charter Service has moved its Houston office to larger premises to accommodate growth plans in Texas.
ACS Houston chief executive, Dustin Roades, commented: “Last year was ACS Houston’s best, in terms of both charter numbers and revenue. On the back of what we achieved in 2022, we started looking to move to a bigger office space in order to aid further expansion of the team.
“We opened in Texas in 2014 and the office has steadily grown since then, culminating in our record year last year and a very strong first six months of 2023. This new office has more than double the amount of floorspace of our old one and we are in the process of hiring – with some of the new recruits starting imminently, now that we have space for them.
“This is an exciting time for ACS in Texas and I look forward to this next chapter and to celebrating our tenth anniversary next year.”

Two new faces for Dachser USA

Chris Lewis

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August 22, 2023

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German-owned forwarder Dachser USA has reorganized management in the Northeastern US. It has appointed Andreas Kayser as new general manager, responsible for branches in New York, Boston and Baltimore and Robert Crimmins has been appointed branch manager for Boston.

Kayser (main picture) has been with Dachser in Germany since April 2022, acting as a National Account Manager within the Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) EMEA business unit and before joining the company, was director global airfreight at Forto Logistics. He is based at the branch in New York, close to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Robert Crimmins (pictured below) brings over 28 years of experience in the industry and, prior to joining Dachser, was general manager for CH Robinson in Miami and east region director of sales at Morrison Express.

Rally cars rocket across Brazil with new logistics deal

Chris Lewis

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August 17, 2023

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Rally cars rocket across Brazil with new logistics deal

Entertainment and events specialist Rock-it Global has become the new logistics partner of Rally dos Sertões and will transport vehicles, motorbikes, and team equipment for the Americas’ biggest rally until 2026.

Rally dos Sertões is a cross-country off-road competition that has been held in Brazil since 1993 and is named after the Sertão region.

“Rock-it is providing transportation of team equipment, vehicles, and support equipment from any location worldwide to the rally, and back again after the event,” said Rock-it regional manager for motorsports and business development, Alex Amaral. “One of the many challenges of this rally is that it goes through many small towns throughout Brazil with very little infrastructure.

“Rock-it has employees on the ground that can coordinate and manage this and get any equipment needed throughout the entire rally route.

“Rock-it also deals with all requisite documentation including customs clearance and carnets for the teams.”

Rock-it will also use its reputation in motorsports logistics to help Rally dos Sertões grow the event both in terms of participation and global stature.

The Rally’s chief executive, Joaquim Monteiro, added: “It is a pleasure to have Rock-it on board with us. What started more than 30 years ago as a romantic adventure has turned out to be, as the years go by, more and more professional and global.

“Brazilian teams are relying more on world-class material, which puts a high emphasis on logistics and freight.” The 31st edition of the rally is currently underway, with rally cars, motorbikes, and off-road vehicles racing between five Brazilian cities.

Chapman Freeborn sets up emergency aid arm

Chris Lewis

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August 15, 2023

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Chapman Freeborn sets up emergency aid arm

UK-based charter broker Chapman Freeborn – part of Avia Solutions Group – has set up an Aviation Emergency Services (AES) arm. It introduces solutions including crisis management, assisting organizations in effectively preparing for unexpected emergency situations, and security and risk management to proactively detect and mitigate potential threats related to security, terrorism, and natural disasters.

Chapman Freeborn’s humanitarian efforts over the years include cargo and passenger charters during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2006, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, earthquakes in Pakistan, Haiti, Nepal, Turkey and Syria, as well as supporting ongoing and post-conflict crises in Yemen, Darfur, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Group chief commercial officer, Neil Dursley, said: “For five decades, Chapman Freeborn has aided countries, governments, and NGOs during crises. Just in the last few years, we repatriated pandemic-stranded crew members, relocated Afghan citizens post-ISAF withdrawal, and supplied PPE and COVID-19 vaccines globally.

“We aided Pakistan’s flood victims, helped tackle Greece’s wildfires, and chartered many flights to assist after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, partnering with operators, governments and aid agencies. No challenge is too great, and no location is too difficult for our expert Air Emergency Services team.”

Chapman Freeborn has meanwhile appointed Marcel Kolb as vice president government and humanitarian Europe. He brings extensive experience including 12 years in the military – where he was part of a NATO mission in Afghanistan – and almost four at freight forwarder DB Schenker.

The Silk Way to LA

Chris Lewis

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August 15, 2023

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Central Asian all-cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has started a scheduled route between its hub in Baku, Azerbaijan and Los Angeles

It says that the addition of the California hub – one of the world’s largest gateways – will cater for a wide range of general cargo, perishables, oversized and e-commerce goods.

The new route complements Silk Way West Airlines’ flights to Houston, launched in April, as well as the previously established regular flights to Chicago and Dallas.

Silk Way West vice president Americas, Fadi Nahas, commented: “The new route will greatly benefit our West Coast customers by providing freighter nose cargo load capacity and shorter transit times for US destinations west of the Continental Divide.”

Jettainer appoints innovation chief

Chris Lewis

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August 15, 2023

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ULD management services company Jettainer has appointed Christine Klemmer as chief innovation officer. The newly established department aims to enhance services through cutting-edge technology, strategic AI applications and tracking solutions.

In addition to her new role, she will remain responsible for strategic development at the ULD specialist and manage Jettainer’s project portfolio and corporate communications. Christine Klemmer joined Jettainer in 2019 to further develop the ULD sharing platform skypooling. Previously, she held several international management positions in air cargo where she was responsible for business development, operations as well as quality and process management.

UPS adds India to Healthcare network

Chris Lewis

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August 15, 2023

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UPS Healthcare has expanded its UPS Premier service for critical time- and temperature-sensitive shipments to India. The offering includes ‘first-in, first-off’ prioritization, built-in service recovery features, advanced sensor technology, 24/7 control tower monitoring and real-time visibility, down to 1-2 meters enabled by a mesh sensor affixed to the package.

India is a leading producer of drugs, vaccines, medical devices and biologics and its pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow at 12% a year, reaching $130 billion by 2030, of which over 60% will be exported.

India is also has the largest number of US-FDA compliant plants (more than 262 including) outside the US itself.

UPS Healthcare president, John Bolla, said: “India is one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the world and UPS Healthcare’s investment in the market adds industry-leading services for a wide range of customers, from pharmaceutical companies to hospitals and clinics.

“UPS Premier provides the visibility and traceability that are essential to prioritizing the life-saving medications our customers ship and their customers need.”