Tag: freight

  • DHL bolsters transport solutions with real-time freight visibility platform

    DHL bolsters transport solutions with real-time freight visibility platform

    DHL Supply Chain continues to engage the latest technology to enhance supply chain efficiency for its customers. The newest technology for the Transportation Sector is a patented technology called MacroPoint that will give DHL the ability to provide customers with real-time shipment status updates using predictive analytics and proactive alerts within the supply chain.

    The real-time freight visibility platform is just one of many technology enhancements DHL has made to its global transportation services offering. The company has also invested in technologies that provide transportation business intelligence and end-to-end supply chain visibility. They include: DHL Resilience360, an innovative cloud-based supply chain risk management platform that helps companies visualize, track and protect their business operations, and Connected View, a web portal that allows companies to query the status of shipments, warehouse orders, inventory snapshots and purchase orders.

    “Our focus is on our customers and we’re constantly looking for new ways to help them simplify their transportation management and optimize their transportation costs,” said Jim Monkmeyer, President of Transportation, DHL Supply Chain. “It all boils down to a commitment to innovation. That’s how we stay ahead of shifts in the marketplace so we can help our customers think beyond today’s shipment.”

    DHL Supply Chain offers comprehensive transportation management solutions, freight brokerage, dedicated fleet services and Lead Logistics Partner (LLP) capabilities around the world. DHL Supply Chain also provides customer focused solutions for a wide range of inbound, manufacturing, warehouse, distribution and outbound operations.

    DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, ecommerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 350,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

    DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 57 billion euros in 2016.

  • The art of temperature-controlled logistics

    The art of temperature-controlled logistics

    The average life sciences and healthcare supply chain involves some 25 different parties – companies separately responsible for preparing, moving, holding, or checking the integrity of a shipment. Now imagine that the transiting pharmaceutical products or medical devices must be maintained within a temperature range of 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). Understandably, this requires robust systems and meticulous choreography.

    Demand is increasing for the unbroken cold chain – an uninterrupted set of processes from manufacturing and storage to distribution and delivery undertaken in refrigerated conditions. We find that our customers are paying greater attention to the specifics of how their products are being shipped and want to provide more direct input. We therefore work closely with them to identify where we can establish more control mechanisms, enabling customers to track their shipments at all touch points, particularly through global air cargo facilities.

    Today, technology enables us to gather data on any parameter of the supply chain – for example, not just temperature but also humidity, energy consumption, and even whether a door has been opened or closed. By transmitting this data via mobile devices, key processes can be monitored in real time from anywhere in the world. And throughout time, this is generating additional data – current and historical – as shipments move through the supply chain.

    Ensuring cold chain integrity requires using rich analytics algorithms to turn raw data into actionable recommendations and warnings. These can improve storage and handover processes, guide business decisions, and prevent cold chain failures before they occur.

    With temperature-controlled logistics, we use data to mitigate and predict risk. For example, we would start by looking at the validation performance of our packaging. Then, at the next level of our analysis, we would examine our process control around this packaging. We would be asking questions such as “How well can we control the process?” and “What’s the impact if we experience a deviation?”. It is essential that we take a scientific approach to the evaluation of risk through data – this is how we anticipate which process elements could go wrong and which ways any packaging might fail.

    Cold chain logistics is constantly evolving – active and passive packaging solutions, new services provided by the airlines, and more. One of our customer surveys showed that 40% of our life sciences and healthcare customers consider maintaining temperature control to be a major issue. That is why many of our discussions with customers concern harnessing the power of big data and analytics. These highly targeted activities reduce risk and enable better decision making, ensuring we succeed in delivering temperature-controlled healthcare to the world.

  • Kuehne + Nagel acquires two perishables specialists

    Kuehne + Nagel acquires two perishables specialists

    With the acquisition of CFI, Commodity Forwarders Inc., an airfreight forwarder of perishables products in the USA, and Trillvane Ltd, one of the largest perishables specialists in Kenya, Kuehne + Nagel expands its global perishables network by adding more than 150,000 tons of perishables and further strengthens its position in providing end-to-end international and domestic fresh chain solutions.

    CFI, 1974 established by Alfred Kuehlewind as one-man office in Los Angeles shipping strawberries to Europe, today operates 14 locations throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii with more than 700 employees. The company is specialised in airfreight export and import as well as distribution of seafood, all kinds of agricultural products, flowers and greens. As a leader in the US perishable forwarding industry, CFI differentiates itself through its expertise, ability to provide high-end visibility and delivering unprecedented product quality for its customers’ fresh chains.

    Alfred Kuehlewind, Founder and CEO of CFI: “We are looking forward to become part of the Kuehne + Nagel Group. The planned transaction will offer us new growth perspectives and access to a global logistics network. Both companies’ customers will benefit from an extended service scope.”

  • Vietnam and Singapore firms set up logistics joint venture

    Vietnam and Singapore firms set up logistics joint venture

    The new company is expected to improve logistics services at Vietnam’s northern port city of Hai Phong. Quang Binh Import and Export Joint Stock Company has inked a joint venture deal with Transworld GLS Vietnam Ltd, a unit of Transworld Singapore Group, to establish Transworld QBV ICD.

    The joint venture will specialize in providing warehouse, loading and unloading, packing and customs clearance services and other services related to road, rail and waterway transportation at Quang Binh – Dinh Vu ICD (Inland Container Depot) in Hai Phong.

    In its first phase, the company will invest in transport and customs clearance services on an area of 10 hectares at the ICD.

    Quang Binh Import and Export is a producer and distributor of fertilizer, chemicals, agro-aqua products, food and beverages, bonded warehouse and yard service, and import-export and import & re-export service.

    Ranked among the top 500 largest firms in Vietnam by the Vietnam Report Company (VNR) last year, it is also a leading provider of warehousing and logistics services in Hai Phong.

    Understanding the importance of ICDs in the interntional logistics and supply chain, the company decided to invest in the Quang Binh – Dinh Vu ICD last year.

    The Quang Binh-Dinh Vu ICD will be developed in three phases, with the first phase including a warehouse capable of handling 100,000 tons of goods per year and yard’s capacity of 250,000 TEU per year. Once completed, Quang Binh-Dinh Vu will be one of the biggest ICDs in northern Vietnam.

    ICDs are inland customs clearance points used by importers and exporters. A combination of customs departments, carriers, freight forwarders and customs brokers allow exporters and importers to save time and money.

    The joint venture with Transworld GLS Vietnam aims to make the operation of the Quang Binh-Dinh Vu ICD more effective.

    Transworld Singapore is one of the fastest growing companies in Asia and owns nearly 40 container ships and more than 30,000 containers, particularly well-known for its refrigerated container.

    Transworld QBV ICD JSC is looking to develop Quang Binh – Dinh Vu ICD to be an enclosed logistics chain service that entails depot, yard, warehouse, transportation, LOLO equipment and auxiliary infrastructure, serving as the biggest transit and customs clearance point in Northern Vietnam.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mahesh Sivaswamy, chairman of Transworld Singapore, said: “Starting operation, the Transworld QBV ICD will contribute to cost reduction for enterprises by speeding up and improving efficient clearance service at the port. We engage that the volume of import and export cargo going through our depot is going to significantly increase, making a positive contribution to the budget of Hai Phong City.”

  • Kale Logistics collaborates with Celebi Delhi cargo terminal

    Kale Logistics collaborates with Celebi Delhi cargo terminal

    Celebi Delhi Cargo terminal went live with Kale’s Galaxy (Domestic module) Cargo Management system as part of the phase wise implementation of the entire suite of Galaxy Air Cargo management software system comprising of EXIM operations, Warehouse Management, UD, Invoice and Accounts and Domestic Operations. The new age domestic module incorporates next generation features like Mobile App, Customer Portal, Hand-held based app and EDI with Airlines.

    Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Delhi International Airport Private Ltd (DIAL) and Celebi Ground Handling Turkey which along with domestic operations also provides cargo handling and warehousing services to approximately fifty international schedule carriers. Celebi Delhi is the largest operations in Air Cargo for Celebi worldwide. In order to keep pace with the ever-increasing domestic cargo demands, Celebi Delhi has partnered with Kale Logistics Solutions to automate their Air Cargo and terminal operations.

    Air Cargo industry has reached a crucial point where a fast-track approach to digitalization is required to keep pace with competitive modes of transport. It is undergoing a tremendous transformation – moving from legacy systems to agile technologies in order to streamline its operations, reduce costs and optimize efficiencies.

    Ramesh Mamidala, CEO of Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management quoted, “Modern day freight challenges need technology to enable innovative practices to move businesses forward. With our domestic operations going live on Galaxy, we look forward to greater automation of our operational processes and getting quick and comprehensive information on consignment and cargo tracking. This significant development will help to speed up shipment times, improve efficiency and reduce costs.”

    Being the capital of the country, Delhi has maximum number of flight operations and Celebi – Delhi operates one of the largest volume of domestic cargo movement out of Delhi airport. Topographically, Delhi is surrounded by many states and with a boom in e-commerce business, there is additional domestic freight movement which makes Delhi a top e-commerce hub of India.

    Speaking more on this scenario, Mamidala added, “Celebi – Delhi’s current domestic handling system was challenged by an increased load of cargo and connectivity issues. Hence we decided to move forward with the latest technology solution to cater to this demand. Kale’s Galaxy is the perfect solution, which, with minor customizations fulfilled all our requirements. We would soon be going live on our international operations”.

    Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions says, “We are delighted to partner with Celebi and are extremely confident that our system will address all their concerns and realize the benefits of GALAXY in near future. Galaxy is a global application that is being used by worldwide airports that incorporate global best practices and prepare the industry to manage the demands of e-commerce”.

  • Chain.io unveils supply chain open access integration platform

    Chain.io unveils supply chain open access integration platform

    Chain.io, a cloud-based supply chain integration provider, announces the exclusive beta release of their open access Chain.io Platform. The technology is a cloud-native supply chain integration and intelligence service that helps shippers, logistics service providers and logistics software providers share data more efficiently and dramatically reduce the cost of connectivity.

    “We’re really excited to bring the supply chain community a platform that will be able to make so many people’s jobs easier and more effective,” said Brian Glick, CEO of Chain.io. “This platform is the culmination of decades of combined work across the team. Leveraging open APIs, a collaborative data model, a pay-for-what-you-use pricing structure, Chain.io will transform the way that the logistics industry collaborates.”

    Chain.io fills the gap in the industry where one-on-one software integration has become too complex and costly. Via the company’s technology, clients will be able to develop a one-time connection to the platform and instantly be connected to other partners in the supply chain. Unlike legacy VANs, the cloud native platform allows for self-service and a significantly lower total cost of ownership.

    “Connectivity began with a bi-directional, costly, EDI integration between only two trading partners. Each new partner came with the same costly, bi-directional connectivity,” Glick continues. “Today, we reduce the development time and expense by allowing a company to create a single connection to Chain.io. From here, any other company can do the same, allowing for a nexus of interconnected parties as the platform continues to grow and add users.”

    While Chain.io was officially launched earlier this year by a group of industry experts, its technology has been in the works for some time already. The company leverages modern, cloud-based technologies like Functions as a Service, NoSQL, and Data Streams which allows the platform to deliver lightning fast performance while maintaining the highest levels of scalability, reliability and security.

  • Yusen Logistics opens new logistics centre in Myanmar

    Yusen Logistics opens new logistics centre in Myanmar

    On July 12, Yusen Logistics held an opening ceremony for Thilawa Logistics Centre in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar.

    The event was attended by Thilawa SEZ Management Committee Vice Chairman Cho Cho Win; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of Japan in Myanmar Tateshi Higuchi; Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development Limited (MJTD) Chairman Thein Han; Mitsubishi Corporation Chief Representative for Myanmar Mitsuo Ido, Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd.; Kenji Mizushima; Yusen Logistics (Myanmar) Co., Ltd. President Yasuhiko Nojima; and Yusen Logistics (Thilawa) Co., Ltd. President Tatsuhiko Saeki.

  • Cathay Pacific selects DHL to manage aircraft service parts logistics

    Cathay Pacific selects DHL to manage aircraft service parts logistics

    DHL Supply Chain has commenced management of all aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul logistics activities for Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon in the airlines’ home base at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), part of a 10-year contract signed earlier this year.

    The contract will see DHL Supply Chain take overall responsibility for the storage, warehousing and domestic transportation of 80,000 specific aviation part types, components and equipment used to maintain Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon’s combined fleet of 180 aircraft to the highest safety and operational standards. DHL Supply Chain will also work with incumbent aircraft maintenance provider HAECO to provide additional services including parts inspection and airside operations.

    Cathay Pacific Director, Engineering, Neil Glenn, said: “Operational efficiency and quality are imperative to Cathay Pacific. Aircraft maintenance and repairs require constant precision and care, which is supported by the efficient storage, handling and on-demand provisioning of vast numbers of spare parts.”

    “As such, we are delighted to have engaged DHL Supply Chain as our logistics partner. DHL has an excellent reputation and is tasked to perform safe and efficient supply chain management and handling in extremely complex environments, which adheres to Cathay Pacific’s rigorous compliance requirements and operational standards.”

    “The arrangement that we now have in place allows all three parties to concentrate on their specific core capabilities, namely: airline management (Cathay Pacific), aircraft maintenance (HAECO) and now, DHL will be responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) supply chain management,” added Mr. Glenn.

    A core team of 120 trained DHL Supply Chain specialists operate on a 24x7x365 basis, managing more than 90,000 sq. ft of warehousing space, processing 1 million unit of spares transaction per annum, round-the-clock transport delivery, and reporting and governance procedures. Operations commenced after approval was obtained from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and nearly four months of intensive onboarding and training involving DHL Supply Chain, Cathay Pacific and HAECO.

    DHL Supply Chain will begin introducing process improvements and implement new supply chain systems within the initial phase of the contract.

  • Dachser Thailand expands Bangkok branch

    Dachser Thailand expands Bangkok branch

    The Dachser Bangkok branch has moved into a spacious new facility in the conveniently located Huaykwang district. The large open space gives plenty of room for the growing team and business volume.

    “Relocation to the new premises reflects our continuous development in Thailand,” said Christophe Vincent, managing director Air & Sea Logistics Thailand. “Last year, we celebrated the opening of our Bangkok airport office and the relocation of our Laem Chabang branch. It was now time to move our Bangkok branch into bigger premises to consolidate our back-office, sales and operations and to accommodate the expanding team.”

  • XPO awarded chilled warehousing contract for BrewDog

    XPO awarded chilled warehousing contract for BrewDog

    XPO Logistics has signed a contract with craft beer pioneer BrewDog, one of the UK’s fastest-growing food and drinks companies. XPO will provide class-leading temperature-controlled warehousing for BrewDog’s stockholding of craft beer at a multi-user, 125,000 square foot facility in Mossend, Scotland.

    The Aberdeen-based brewery – founded in 2008 by James Watt and Martin Dickie – has grown from a two-man team in 2007 to over 600 employees and ships beer to more than 55 countries around the world.

    “The team is bringing freshly filled bottles, cans and kegs from our production site to the facility in Mossend, where each batch is carefully chilled to a steady 8ºC and then assembled for onward distribution to BrewDog customers and our own chain of over 50 pubs across Europe,” said BrewDog’s Stephen McCrindle, customer service and logistics manager. He added, “The quality of our product underpins our business, and it’s important to us that we are in XPO’s experienced hands when it comes to managing our supply chain.”

    XPO has introduced a system interface between its enterprise software and BrewDog’s that improves stock visibility of kegs, cans, bottles and coasters, order processing speed and accuracy to create a more dynamic supply chain.

    Peter Fuller, XPO Logistics business unit director, said: “The growth trajectory of BrewDog has been phenomenal. The business previously operated on a ‘make it and sell it’ model using its own shared storage and production facilities, but it has now far outgrown these. We’re providing BrewDog with the sophisticated storage and supply chain facilities that a fast-growing company of this size needs.”

  • DB Schenker On-Track in Driving Rail Freight Solutions for Customers across Asia Pacific

    DB Schenker On-Track in Driving Rail Freight Solutions for Customers across Asia Pacific

    Since inaugurating the first Beijing – Hamburg rail link in 2008, DB Schenker has since developed an unparalleled portfolio of Euro-Asia Rail door-to-door services, linking China with Germany and the rest of Europe – such as Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Hefei, Suzhou, Shenyang, Wuhan, Yiwu, Zhengzhou with Duisburg, Hamburg, Leipzig, Nuremburg, as well as Lodz, London, Lyon, Tilburg, Warsaw, and many others.

    “Having pioneered the rail service between China and Europe some 10 years ago, we are today in a unique position as the market leader for both LCL and FCL. We are proud to be recognized as such and we will continue to drive innovation around our rail products to and from China”, said Mr Thomas Sorensen, CEO for North and Central China.

    Along with the Pan-Australia Rail solutions network (linking Sydney to Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth), and the Trans-Java Rail solutions in Indonesia (linking Jakarta with Surabaya and Semarang), DB Schenker offers the gamut of daily/regular Full-Container-Load (FCL), Less-than-Container-Load (LCL), Block-trains, multi-customer, reefer services and so on, to customers in the Automotive, Electronics, Industrial/Chemicals, Consumer Goods, and other sectors.

    At the recent Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards (AFLAS) held on 29th June 2017, DB Schenker was again ranked as the Best Logistics Service Provider – Rail for the second year running. Having won AFLAS awards in all major logistics related categories in the past, including Best Logistics Service Provider – Sea Freight and Air Freight as well as Best Road Haulier, DB Schenker’s heritage and pedigree in Rail offers truly peerless inter-modal solutions for shippers in Asia.

    “Incorporating comprehensive Rail Logistics Services into our suite of solutions unleashes a higher level of robustness, to achieve the optimal balance in calibrating Cost, Lead Time, Risk Mitigation, and Environmental Impact in the supply chain”, added Mr Norman Mummery, SVP Contract Logistics/SCM for Asia Pacific.

    “We are humbled and thankful to win this award for the second year in a row, voted by shippers and peers from the industry.  As a pioneer and first-mover in Rail among Global 3PLs for Asia, we are unrelenting in pushing the limits to strengthen our network and take our customers further”, says Ditlev Blicher, CEO of DB Schenker in Asia Pacific.

  • Rhenus takes over O’Brien Logistics

    Rhenus takes over O’Brien Logistics

    The Rhenus group will have its own national company in Australia, Rhenus Logistics Australia, in future too. The logistics specialist signed an agreement to purchase the freight forwarding company known as O’Brien Customs and Forwarding Pty Ltd in order to expand its network of business sites in the Asia-Pacific region.

    The O’Brien family business handles air and sea freight consignments and provides customs and warehouse services. It was initially founded as a pure customs clearance firm by Jan and Shane O’Brien in 1996. O’Brien has been offering its customers air and sea freight transportation in addition to customs services for seven years. O’Brien has its headquarters in the northern part of Melbourne.

    The Rhenus Group is planning to expand the firm’s current operations in future with its network and its services. They include, for example, domestic traffic, support for imports/exports, buyers’ consolidation as well as warehouse and integrated logistics solutions.

    “The takeover of O’Brien and the founding of the national company to be known as Rhenus Logistics Australia enable us to cover the whole of Australia with our services. As a result of the acquisition, we’re gaining experienced employees with local expertise for the global operations of the Air & Ocean business unit at Rhenus Freight Logistics too,” says Jan Harnisch, Rhenus COO Ocean Freight Asia.

    The new Rhenus operations on the Australian continent are part of the logistics specialist’s expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. Rhenus is planning to open a number of new business sites this year in this area, including centres in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

  • Kerry launches new UK-China rail freight service

    Kerry launches new UK-China rail freight service

    Kerry Logistics Network announced the launch of its weekly scheduled Less Than Container Load (LCL) rail freight service between Duisburg, Germany and Shanghai via the Yiwu terminal in the Yangtze River Delta, China, using its own consolidation containers.

    This additional service option for east- and westbound shipments enhances Kerry Logistics’ existing Full Container Load (FCL) and LCL services, offering a transit time of 16 days for westbound cargo, and 21 days eastbound.

    Shipments have already been successfully moved using the new service, which offers weekly departures on Friday eastbound and Wednesday westbound.

    The rail freight solution is part of Kerry Logistics’ end-to-end freight management service, which provides an unrivalled range of upstream services, including storage, quality control, assembly, and reworking in addition to the pre-carriage and delivery to final destination.

    Thomas Blank, managing director of Europe, Kerry Logistics, said, “Our proven track record and unparalleled service network in Asia, together with our local expertise throughout Europe, promise that we can now offer our customers a flexible, cost-effective solution on this route for cargoes from industrial freight, down to smaller e-commerce commodities.

    “Acting as the consolidator ourselves allows us to offer shorter lead times, moving each shipment faster than if we had to wait for a full container from each customer, who can monitor their cargo along the route via online track and trace.

    “We can be more reactive to our customers’ rapidly evolving needs,” Blank added.

  • Ceva achieves CEIV certification in Singapore

    Ceva achieves CEIV certification in Singapore

    Ceva Logistics has been awarded IATA’s CEIV status at its facility in Singapore. CEIV is designed to indicate a company or branch’s level of competency as well as operational and technical preparedness in the global transportation by air of pharmaceutical products. A certified pharmaceutical location meets consistent standards and is fully capable of assuring product integrity.

    CEVA staff in Singapore have undertaken a comprehensive training program conducted jointly by IATA and Changi Airport Group, in readiness for certification. A quality team was established at the company’s facility at the Air Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS) within the Free Trade Zone and this group coordinated and implemented the CEIV process.

    “Our 90,000 sq feet facility is fully accredited for the full range of active and passive temperature ranges,” says Michael Yip, SVP Freight Management of CEVA’s South East Asia cluster. We are the largest user and operator of active RKN e1 equipment outbound from Singapore and this new CEIV status recognises the full scope of our capabilities”.

  • Crown Equipment expands Shanghai operations

    Crown Equipment expands Shanghai operations

    Crown Equipment Corporation is expanding in Shanghai with a new facility to support growing customer needs in the region. The facility includes space for extensive new equipment inventory, a parts distribution centre, training facility for mainland China, technology demonstration centre as well as local sales, parts and customer service operations for the Shanghai area.

    “The new location is vital to support our customers’ evolving needs in China,” said Tom Kieffer, managing director of commercial operations, Crown Equipment. “Our goal is to become the first choice of our customers, which requires that we have outstanding parts and truck availability to provide excellent customer support. Our new facility provides the expansion needed to achieve this goal.”

    The facility’s technology demonstration centre is designed to help customers make informed purchasing decisions when it comes to advanced material handling equipment and technology needed to increase the productivity of their operations. The centre will showcase the latest forklifts and technology from Crown, including the QuickPick Remote order picking system that uses automated truck navigation technologies to reduce low-level order picking walk steps, and Crown’s InfoLink wireless operator and fleet management system.

    Along with having access to a complete selection of Crown’s award-winning forklifts and Integrity Parts and Service System, customers can take advantage of Crown’s Demonstrated Performance Training programs that offer a comprehensive range of forklift training formats for operators, supervisors, trainers, technicians and pedestrians.