DHL Group unveiled a plan for sustainable growth up to 2030 on 24 September. It said it would strive to increase revenue by 50% by targeting high-growth markets and sectors. But it would also reinforce its commitment to decarbonization and integrate sustainability into its existing strategic framework.
‘Strategy 2030 – Accelerate Sustainable Growth’ aims to unlock its full growth potential through divisional and Group initiatives. While the Group’s business divisions will continue to focus on their profitable core businesses, the company will accelerate sustainable growth by focusing on fast-growing geographies and industry sectors, as well as e-commerce.
Chief executive, Tobias Meyer said: “We are ideally positioned to seize growth opportunities in a rapidly changing world thanks to our well-balanced, diversified portfolio. We want to grow faster and more profitably while decarbonizing our business. We will fortify our market-leading position in global logistics with a strong focus on quality and on servicing the needs of fast-growing industry segments.”
DHL said that its existing “Strategy 2025 – Delivering Excellence in a Digital World’ had navigated the Group through global challenges including the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. Now, though geopolitical tensions are reshaping the global trade landscape and companies are working to create more resilient supply chains while the fight against climate change and demographic shifts in the workforce contribute to additional complexity.
DHL aims to leverage its strengths and accelerate growth with initiatives in key areas. These include life sciences and healthcare where it says it is strongly positioned to address structural shifts in the pharma market, which depends on specialized logistics solutions such as temperature-controlled frozen or cryogenic storage. The biopharma, cell and gene, and clinical trials market is expected to grow at around 10% a year. between 2023 and 2030.
The transformation of the renewable energy and auto-mobility sectors also requires dedicated logistics solutions, such as handling windmill blades or battery energy storage systems and has expected annual growth of 15%.
The Group will also enhance its e-commerce footprint market by offering integrated offerings, such as combined fulfilment and last-mile delivery. The global e-commerce market is expected to grow at 7% a year until 2030.
The company also aims to use its expertise to support customers in decarbonizing their supply chains with strategic partnerships and to secure among other things a 30% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030.
At the same time, DHL Group aims to align its complex legal structure with its management structure. While the company’s management structure with its five divisions – Express, Global Forwarding/Freight, Supply Chain, eCommerce, and Post & Parcel Germany – is simple and clear, it says the underlying legal structure is much more complex and partially overlapping. The realignment intends to reduce complexity and create a more flexible and agile set-up.
This includes establishing Post & Parcel Germany and eCommerce as standalone corporate entities comparable to all other entities with the name Deutsche Post AG continuing to be used for Post & Parcel Germany activities.
DHL goes for green growth, simpler set-up
Menzies opens in Maputo
Menzies Aviation has officially opened its new cargo facility at Maputo International Airport in Mozambique. The handler says it is a significant expansion of its footprint across East Africa and its regional customer portfolio is set to increase. Launch customers include Airlink and Qatar Airways.
Senior vice president cargo of Menzies Aviation, AlAnood AlSuwaidi, said: “We’re thrilled to cut the ribbon on our new cargo warehouse in Mozambique. This cutting-edge facility will allow us to provide best in class services to our airline customers while supporting East Africa’s air cargo sector. This represents the next exciting step in Menzies’ cargo expansion strategy, which has seen us expand our footprint right across the globe.” Menzies Aviation has operated passenger facilities at Maputo International since 2018.
Liège is cradle of innovation for Challenge Group
Challenge Group is using an exclusive aircraft engine dolly at its Liège airport hub.
It features shock-absorbing cushions that protect sensitive engines from tarmac vibrations with a maximum capacity of 13,800kg and flexible loading options for 16FT X-load, 20FT, and 10FT configurations.
The dolly is compatible with Trent engines, ranging from the 500 to 1000 versions used in Boeing and Airbus models and it can also handle RZX containers.
Challenge Group chief operating officer, David Canavan, said: “This innovative engine dolly significantly enhances our operational capabilities, giving us a distinct edge over the competition. By ensuring the safe and efficient transport of aircraft engines directly from the offloading point to the aircraft door, we not only streamline our processes but also minimize risks associated with warehouse and tarmac vibrations.”
SATS and Sinoair sign worldwide handling deal
Handling group SATS has signed a memorandum of understanding with China-based Sinotrans Air Freight for strategic projects in ground and cargo handling services across their respective networks. These will include setting up gateway hubs for Sinoair in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. The two companies are also in talks for SATS to manage Sinoair’s new e-commerce hub in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, expected to open in 2026.
Headquartered in Singapore, SATS is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services. Together with its WFS arm, it operates an Americas-Europe-APAC network of over 215 cargo and ground handling stations in 27 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume.
Sinoair currently has regular charters operating between China and Liege Airport in Belgium, Dubai International Airport in the UAE and is looking to expand further to the rest of the world.
Chief executive-designate for SATS Gateway Asia-Pacific, Bob Chi said: “We look forward to working with Sinoair to leverage our respective networks to give customers even better global network connectivity to and from China, which has one of the world’s fastest growing air transportation sectors, to cities worldwide.”
Managing director of Sinotrans Air Freight Liu Yong, added: “Sinoair and SATS work together to provide customers with superior operational services. We look forward to working with SATS to further strengthen global air transport capabilities through our extensive network resources.”
F1 and DHL find a green formula for motorsports airfreight
Formula 1 and its logistics partner DHL are to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for their airfreight movements, they announced at a press conference in Singapore on 20 September.
From March of this year, starting with the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 has been working with DHL Global Forwarding’s GoGreen Plus service to use the green fuel, which cuts emissions by around 80% per flight compared to conventional aviation fuel.
Like many other companies and organisations, Formula 1 is committed to reach Net Zero by 2030. So far this year, 20% of cargo flights to races outside Europe have been scheduled to use the GoGreen Plus service with SAF.
Head of DHL motorsports logistics, Paul Fowler, said: “We are committed to using our expertise to support Formula 1 in transporting cars and other equipment around the world in the most efficient way possible. With 40 years of expertise in motorsports logistics, we are focused on identifying ways to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and making motorsport more sustainable with every step we take.”
More broadly, DHL employs multimodal transportation including sea and road freight. This season, for example, it has more than doubled its fleet of biofuel-powered trucks to serve the European leg of the F1 season
It has also switched from thirsty 747 freighter aircraft to more efficient twin-engined Boeing 777Fs reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 17%.
Formula 1 itself has also rationalized its calendar and create a better flow of races and centralised remote broadcast production at a new Media and Technology Centre at Biggin Hill airport south of London in the UK.
Formula 1’s head of ESG, Ellen Jones, said: “Formula 1 has always been at the forefront of innovation, and our early stage investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a testament to our dedication to deliver on our Net Zero by 2030 commitment. SAF is just the latest step for the business, and underscores how alternative fuels both on and off track can materially reduce carbon emissions. This delivery of our sustainability strategy is only made possible through coordinated actions across our sport.”
The SAF for Formula 1 logistics is purchased and transferred through DHL’s book and claim system which allows for the decoupling of specific environmental attributes from physical products, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and transferring them to another party through a registry and allowing buyers and sellers to participate without direct involvement in the physical supply chain of the fuel. At purchase, buyers “book” a specified quantity of SAF and “claim” emissions reductions towards their sustainability objectives, acquiring environmental benefits without physically possessing the fuel.
DHL’s SAF for Formula 1 is backed by verification from the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC which ensures that the fuel is produced in accordance with strict sustainability criteria. The ISCC goes beyond simple emissions reduction to promote transparent, sustainable, and deforestation-free practices throughout the supply chain. Its scope encompasses a wide range of sustainable materials, from agricultural biomass to recycled carbon sources, ensuring a truly holistic approach.
Launched by DHL Global Forwarding in 2022, the GoGreen Plus service uses the book and claim system for sustainable fuels in air and ocean freight.
Air France-KLM extends WFS North America contracts
SATS Group’s Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) arm has renewed contracts with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo in North America.
It encompasses contracts at Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles airports, including freighter services in Miami.
WFS’ partnership with the carrier also includes full passenger, ramp and cargo handling services in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Newark.
The carrier’s director of cargo North America, Jean-Noel Rault, commented: “With an additional collaboration on SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), we continue our mutual efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. We commend the WFS Group for their leadership in environmental responsibility, and we are excited to elevate our historic partnership. Together, we are proudly working towards a more eco-friendly future for the logistics and airfreight industry”.
Senior Vice President of Cargo for WFS in North America, Frank Clemente, added: “It is only possible to build an enduring and growing partnership with a leading global customer like Air France-KLM Cargo when you deliver consistent performance, strong collaboration, and a commitment to excellence in operational efficiency and innovation. We understand their specific operational requirements and our strategic network spanning major gateways around the world provides Air-France-KLM Cargo with a reliable and efficient network and consistent, high-quality service delivery.”
Northlink deal helps Cathay combat Alaskan winter
Cathay Cargo has signed an agreement to use NorthLink Aviation’s cargo terminal at Alaska’s Ted Stevens Airport Cathay Cargo, giving it freighter parking and more winter weather resilience from October 2025. The airport is a technical stop for Cathay’s Transpacific Boeing 747 freighters.
The new deal will also grant Cathay Cargo customs clearance for cargo entering the US.
The deal includes 11 power-through hardstands for aircraft to park and depart without ground-tug assistance, and four push-back hardstands. Each of stand will offer dual hydrant fueling systems, lighting towers for enhanced ground safety and renewable energy ground power systems. The agreement also includes collection and recycling of de-icing fluid.
Cathay says that access to guaranteed stand parking will help minimise disruption and strengthen schedule resilience during intense winter weather. It currently uses stands provided by the airport authority shared with other carriers which can become occupied and blocked, leading to diversions and flight cancellations.
Cathay’s director of cargo, Tom Owen, said: “Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport has been a cornerstone in Cathay Cargo’s successful transpacific operations over many decades, serving as a stopover for our freighters en route to and from the Americas. Leveraging NorthLink’s privately developed stands through this long-term agreement helps Cathay Cargo address the challenges posed by severe winter storms by ensuring dedicated gate access is available and offering a dependable supply of hard stand parking spaces, thereby enhancing operational resilience and service reliability for our customers’ shipments.”
NorthLink Aviation chief executive, Sean Dolan added: “NorthLink intends to not only provide world-class infrastructure, but partner in helping Cathay Cargo expand commercial opportunities and capture sustainability gains at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.”
NorthLink is backed by investor Tiger Infrastructure Partners, which targets growth investments in digital infrastructure, energy transition and transportation in North America and Europe.
Fast logistics firm to use Cargo.one platform
Lufthansa Group’s Time:matters high-speed freight arm has signed a partnership with the Cargo.one procurement platform for quotes and bookings on 60 airlines. It will be implemented at Time:matters’ offices in the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Singapore and China and the company says that Cargo.one’s digital quotation tools can reduce time to quote considerably.
Time:matters operates in sectors such as automotive, aviation and aerospace, high-tech and semiconductors, life sciences, medical technology and industrial machinery offering services by air, rail and road with a network of some 500 partners worldwide.
Pictured: Lars Krosch, chief operating officer at Time:matters, and Simson Demmer, vice president of partnerships at Cargo.one
Etihad sets up joint venture with China’s SF Airlines
Etihad Cargo and China’s SF Airlines signed a formal agreement to create a joint venture in Shenzhen on 18 September.
It builds on the existing capacity sharing agreement between the Abu Dhabi and Chinese carriers and is described as “a full strategic alignment between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines, combining their strengths to offer a unified, comprehensive logistics solution to customers worldwide”. It aims to integrate the customer service of Etihad Cargo with the capacity and reach of SF Airlines and boost UAE-China trade routes.
Benefits will include increased aircraft capacity, improved transit times, interconnected networks and the expansion of SF Express’s international express services.
Etihad Airways chief executive, Antonoaldo Neves, said: “This partnership will be pivotal in positioning the UAE as a key player in global logistics, benefiting both our nations and the broader market.”
Chairman of SF Holding, Wang Wei added: “By joining forces with Etihad Cargo, we are setting new standards for the industry, particularly in response to the rising demand for e-commerce, airmail, and parcel delivery. This is a long-term commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of our operations.”
Qatar offers enhanced options
Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a range of enhanced services under the AirPlus Solutions brand. Q-Climate provides temperature-control for additional product categories, with ramp protection against external weather for general and vulnerable cargo in three standard temperature ranges.
Q-Plus offers priority capacity for time-sensitive shipments on confirmed or next available flights if the requested flight can no longer accept bookings. It is available as an add-on for Qatar Airways Cargo’s General Cargo, SecureLift (Vulnerable Cargo), Fresh Care (perishable cargo), and Drive (automobiles) products.
Q-Prime guarantees urgent shipments prioritised processing, best or preferred connections, and a money-back guarantee if the shipment does not fly as confirmed. It can also be used to gain capacity on full flights in urgent cases, where possible.