Tag: freight

  • Etihad Cargo, DoH and RAFED highlight Abu Dhabi’s commitment to become a global pharma and life science distribution hub at LogiPharma 2025

    Etihad Cargo, DoH and RAFED highlight Abu Dhabi’s commitment to become a global pharma and life science distribution hub at LogiPharma 2025

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, will attend LogiPharma 2025, taking place from 8–10 April, Centre de Congrès de Lyon, France. As a leading voice in pharmaceutical airfreight, the carrier will be joined at booths 84 and 85 by strategic partners Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and RAFED, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s goal to become a global pharmaceutical and life science distribution hub.

    “Leveraging Abu Dhabi’s strategic location at the gateway to the MENA region, we are offering advanced infrastructure with easy access to regional and global markets. We’re not just offering airfreight, Etihad Cargo has deepened its focus on creating a smarter, more responsive cold chain for pharma customers worldwide, enabling an end-to-end, temperature-controlled ecosystem in collaboration with regulators, manufacturers and supply chain partners.” Said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer.

    The collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and RAFED, the region’s leading healthcare procurement and logistics platform, is in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The partnership is a pivotal step in Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to become a leading healthcare destination in the global healthcare landscape.

    Faisal Haji, Division Director Health Sector Innovation Department at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, commented: “Through our collaboration with Etihad Cargo and RAFED at LogiPharma 2025, we are reinforcing DoH’s commitment to reshaping the region’s healthcare landscape. Our ambition is to cultivate a healthcare ecosystem where patients can benefit from the most advanced treatments and innovations in medical technology. By developing a dynamic hub for healthcare and life sciences distribution, we aim to improve patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care across the region.”

    Samer Al Zamil, Chief Commercial Officer at RAFED, added: “Together with Etihad Cargo and the Department of Health, we are building a trusted supply chain that supports not just the UAE, but the broader region and global healthcare community. LogiPharma is a platform for showcasing what true collaboration across public and private sectors can achieve.”

    Etihad Cargo’s award-winning PharmaLife product, certified under IATA CEIV Pharma, ensures the safe and reliable transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biologics through advanced tracking, thermal mapping and real-time monitoring technologies.

  • DHL Group and Temu sign Memorandum of Understanding to support local businesses

    DHL Group and Temu sign Memorandum of Understanding to support local businesses

    DHL Group, the world’s leading logistics company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the e-commerce marketplace Temu to deepen their cooperation and to further expand their successful partnership. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration to better support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in established markets as well as in growth markets, such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Both parties are committed to fostering compliant trade and sustainable practices.

    DHL Group will support Temu through its logistics expertise, including multimodal transportation solutions, to provide more efficient and sustainable supply chain services. With its dense network and global presence, DHL Group is the ideal partner to support Temu’s growth in both established and new markets.

    “Through our various DHL divisions, we are already providing a wide range of logistics services and solutions, including air freight and last-mile delivery. We are excited to elevate our partnership with Temu to the next level. By combining our logistics capabilities with Temu’s innovative platform, we can create more efficient, compliant and convenient solutions that benefit both consumers and local businesses in the markets we serve,” states Katja Busch, CCO and Head of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.

    As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, DHL Group will utilize its logistics expertise to support Temu’s operations in Europe, including its local-to-local model, which enables local merchandise partners to sell on its platform and supports local fulfillment. Temu expects up to 80% of its total sales in Europe to come from this local-to-local model. Additionally, the e-commerce platform will enable European-based sellers to reach global markets in the future. This allows, in particular, SMEs to scale and expand their businesses. DHL will also assist Temu in growing its presence in e-commerce markets, including the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions.

    “This letter of intent marks a significant step in our partnership with DHL Group. Its extensive network and logistics capabilities will help support our mission to increase consumer access to affordable products and help increase growth opportunities for sellers,” states Qin Sun, co-founder of Temu.

  • DHL Group acquires CRYOPDP from Cryoport to strengthen “DHL Health Logistics”

    DHL Group acquires CRYOPDP from Cryoport to strengthen “DHL Health Logistics”

    DHL Group (“DHL”), the world’s leading logistics provider, and Cryoport, Inc. (“Cryoport”), a global provider of supply chain solutions for the life sciences sector, are pleased to announce that DHL has acquired 100% of CRYOPDP, a leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies. In this context, the companies also announced a strategic partnership to strengthen their supply chain service offerings for the global life sciences and healthcare sector.

    DHL Group already has an established Life Sciences and Healthcare business, contributing over EUR 5 billion in global revenue in 2024. Building on this foundation, the acquisition of CRYOPDP marks a significant step in DHL’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in specialized pharma logistics and expanding the breadth of its offering in the rapidly growing life science and healthcare sector.CRYOPDP specializes in providing white-glove courier services essential to the sectors it serves. With operations in 15 countries, CRYOPDP handles over 600,000 shipments per year, servicing customers and patients in over 135 countries worldwide.

    Going forward, DHL Supply Chain will further build the potential of its Pharma Specialized Network solution by leveraging the specialty courier expertise of newly acquired CRYOPDP and the global air capabilities of DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding.

    The strategic partnership with Cryoport will bring together DHL’s global health logistics capabilities with Cryoport’s industry-leading expertise in providing specialized solutions in a fast-growing life science and healthcare market segment. It also deepens DHL’s relationship with all the Cryoport business units with respect to specialized pharma.

    Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, stated, “The acquisition of CRYOPDP is a pivotal move for our supply chain business as we aim to expand our Pharma Specialized Network to meet the evolving needs of clinical trials, biopharma and cell & gene therapies, in addition to further increasing our footprint in the conventional pharma and life science healthcare segment. The acquisition of CRYOPDP and the extended partnership with Cryoport Inc. will enable us to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, enhancing our service capabilities.”

    Jerrell Shelton, CEO of Cryoport, commented, “We are indeed pleased to build on our trusted relationship with the DHL Group. Working together we will bring an enhanced set of supply chain solutions to meet companies’ and patients’ critical supply chain needs. This strategic partnership taps into the strong expertise of DHL’s Supply Chain and CRYOPDP, presenting a substantial opportunity for Cryoport to further expand its reach to global growth markets such as Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).”

    The acquisition aligns with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030, which emphasizes the importance of temperature-controlled networks, first and last mile specialty courier coverage and integrated solutions. CRYOPDP’s capabilities will be instrumental in achieving these objectives and help position DHL as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions for the pharma industry. This strategic move is also expected to yield cost savings and improve overall service levels, especially leveraging DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding air capabilities, ultimately enhancing DHL’s footprint in the high-value advanced pharma sector.

    For Cryoport, the partnership with DHL will enable it to better execute its business in EMEA and APAC with a stronger focus on its core business in these regions, creating even greater opportunities to offer highly targeted, top-tier services in answering market demand for its services and products.

    The deal and the outlined partnership are subject to regulatory approvals.

  • Finnair and DB Schenker join forces in reducing GHG emissions for cargo transport

    Finnair and DB Schenker join forces in reducing GHG emissions for cargo transport

    Finnair and DB Schenker have initiated their sustainability collaboration by signing an agreement for DB Schenker to purchase nearly 400 tons of scope 3 CO2e reductions, equaling approximately 120 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Finnair. Both companies are committed to increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to air cargo transport. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a safe, certified, and renewable alternative to fossil jet fuel that we can use today to reduce the climate impact of air cargo transport.  SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel.

    Finnair has set a science-based target to reduce its carbon emissions intensity (CO2e/RTK) by 34.5% by 2033 from a 2023 baseline. The target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Like others in the industry, Finnair is aiming towards net-zero emissions by 2050.

    “Our toolkit for reaching the target comprises investing in sustainable aviation fuels beyond regulatory requirements, further improving operational efficiency, optimizing our network, and investing in new aircraft technology. This agreement with DB Schenker marks an important milestone in our decarbonization efforts and we are thrilled to partner with such a pioneering company, placing key focus on this important matter. Air freight industry needs to address the climate challenge together, and partnering with like-minded stakeholders within the value chain is essential”, says Gabriela Hiitola, Senior Vice President, Finnair Cargo.

    By co-funding SAF with Finnair, DB Schenker receives a verified scope 3 emissions reduction certificate, proving its contribution to decreasing air cargo-related emissions.

    DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, has been an early adopter of SAF since 2020 and seeks to steadily expand its portfolio of low-carbon air freight solutions to cargo shippers.

    “At DB Schenker, we recognize the urgency of decarbonizing air freight and are committed to driving meaningful change within the industry. Our collaboration with Finnair marks another step in scaling sustainable aviation fuel use to significantly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. By investing in SAF, we are not only reducing our own carbon footprint but also empowering our customers with low-carbon air freight solutions”, says Björn Eckbauer, Senior Vice President of Global Operations & Procurement Air, DB Schenker.

  • WestJet Cargo sells Virgin Atlantic’s cargo capacity from Toronto–London and beyond

    WestJet Cargo sells Virgin Atlantic’s cargo capacity from Toronto–London and beyond

    WestJet Cargo proudly announces a Block Space Agreement (BSA) with Virgin Atlantic from Toronto (YYZ) to London (LHR) and beyond starting the 31st March.

    This marks a commercial year-round collaboration that will significantly boost cargo capacity between the East Coast of Canada to London and beyond on Virgin Atlantic network. This commercial partnership strengthens trade links between Canada and key destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as Virgin Atlantic serves numerous strategic cities from London Heathrow, including DEL, BOM, BLR, JNB, CPT, DXB, RUH, LOS. In addition, it signifies the airline’s return to the Canadian cargo market after more than two decades, leveraging WestJet Cargo’s proven expertise to manage and sell this key route.

    Starting at the end of March, WestJet Cargo will sell cargo capacity on Virgin Atlantic’s wide-body flights from Toronto to London offering up to 20Tonnes of capacity per day. The commercial partnership will provide customers with reliable access to both WestJet Cargo’s and Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s full suite of services — areas in which both carriers have established a strong track record. All shipments from Toronto will be moved under a WestJet Cargo Air Waybill (AWB) starting 838.

    “Virgin Atlantic’s decision to entrust WestJet Cargo with managing this crucial route is a testament to our deep understanding of the Canadian market and our operational excellence. It’s a natural synergy with the same ground handling in both Toronto Pearson International and London Heathrow. We have a super team based in Toronto who are eager to make this commercial partnership a success for both carriers. Our specialized expertise in handling high-value commodities such as pharmaceuticals and valuables ensures that customers receive reliable, top-tier service, all while providing seamless access to Virgin Atlantic’s London service, and beyond” said Kirsten, Executive Vice President of WestJet Cargo.

    “We’re thrilled to further enhance our commercial partnership with WestJet, leveraging their longstanding cargo expertise in the Canadian marketplace. This collaboration will ensure our customers across the region will have seamless access and added capacity throughout Virgin Atlantic’s global network,” said Nick Diesel, Managing Director, Virgin Atlantic Cargo. “Canada is an important market for us, and this partnership enables us to provide cargo solutions that support trade and business growth between Toronto, London and beyond.”

    Virgin Atlantic chose WestJet Cargo for this pivotal commercial partnership due to the carrier’s strong market presence, robust operational capabilities, and specialized handling proficiency. This partnership represents a renewed commitment by Virgin Atlantic to the Canadian cargo market, connecting inbound cargo via its state-of-the-art cargo facility at London Heathrow, and signals a new era of strategic growth and innovation for WestJet Cargo.

    With this scalable commercial partnership model, WestJet Cargo is further establishing its role as a key player in the international cargo industry.

  • FedEx strengthens connectivity between Singapore and Johor amid JS-SEZ growth

    FedEx strengthens connectivity between Singapore and Johor amid JS-SEZ growth

    Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, is strengthening trade connectivity between Singapore and Johor to better serve customers in the region. Inbound shipments from Asia, Europe, and the U.S. will be routed to the FedEx Gateway in Singapore before journeying to Johor, enabling importers and businesses to receive their packages two hours earlier.

    This enhancement is enabled by direct import clearance at Senai customs, bypassing the previous route through Kuala Lumpur that added a 300-kilometer detour before reaching the FedEx Senai Gateway for processing and delivery. This new approach not only enables businesses in Johor, particularly industries that rely heavily on timely imports, including manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce, to receive their shipments with greater convenience, it also offers Singapore exporters greater efficiency in delivering their packages to Southern Malaysia.

    “Optimising logistics is more than just speed — it’s about enabling businesses to grow and serve their customers better,” said Eric Tan, managing director of FedEx Singapore. “This improvement not only reinforces Singapore’s role as a key gateway for global trade, but also empowers businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive and interconnected marketplace.”

    The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is poised to significantly enhance economic connectivity between Johor and Singapore, focusing on key sectors such as electronics, medical equipment, food manufacturing, and data centres. In 2023, Malaysia was Singapore’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 79.6 billion. Singapore also served as Malaysia’s largest source of approved foreign direct investment (FDI), contributing USD9.5 billion. As trade volumes rise, enhanced logistics connectivity will be instrumental in facilitating seamless cross-border movement of goods, further reinforcing Singapore’s position as a regional trade hub.

    As Singapore continues to grow as a key logistics hub in Southeast Asia, FedEx remains dedicated to fostering local businesses’ success and contributing to the regions’ economic development. The accelerated delivery service is just one of many ways FedEx is working to drive growth for its customers.

  • Turkish Cargo makes eBookings more efficient and flexible for customers

    Turkish Cargo makes eBookings more efficient and flexible for customers

    Boasting the world’s widest international flight network, Turkish Cargo continues to provide innovative and flexible solutions to the air cargo industry through digital transformation. Through a direct data connection with CargoWise, Turkish Cargo offers shippers on the platform real-time rates, capacity availability, and e-Reservation services within the leading logistics operating system used by the world’s largest freight forwarders and 3PLs.

    The eReservation integration between CargoWise and Turkish Cargo’s management system, COMIS, enables real-time access to air cargo rates, flight availability, and booking confirmations. Shippers can easily choose the suitable flights and make bookings with Turkish Cargo, all without leaving the CargoWise platform. The API connection enhances operational efficiency by eliminating errors due to manual data entry. This approach makes processes more transparent and helps reduce costs.

    Commenting on the collaboration, Turkish Airlines Senior Vice President of Cargo Marketing Selçuk Gençaslan, said: “As Turkish Cargo, we transport approximately 2 million tons of cargo to over 360 destinations within our flight network every year. Our wide flight network and high capacity allow us to be globally accessible while offering competitively cost-effective, innovative solutions. Consequently, we focus on offering digital solutions to our customers by swiftly adapting to the evolving dynamics of the industry and thus, we are pleased to advance our mission of delivering the best service to our customers through this collaboration with Cargo Wise.”

    Jorre Cobelens, Vice President – Logistics Data and Connectivity, WiseTech Global, said: “By establishing direct data connectivity with Turkish Cargo we enable our CargoWise customers to efficiently process tens of thousands of unique shipments on the world’s largest air cargo network from within CargoWise. This increases productivity for the entire industry during and after the eBooking process, avoids double data entry, reduces human errors, and eliminates unnecessary emails. The API integration provides Turkish Cargo’s customers with real-time communication directly within CargoWise, which also includes the ability to modify a booking until final execution of the Master Air Waybill. With this partnership, the transparent data sharing enables Turkish Cargo to optimize their planning and capacity management.”

    Turkish Cargo continues to provide its business partners with more flexible, efficient, and reliable solutions by accelerating digital transformation projects in the logistics industry.

  • Thai VietJet partners with ECS Group’s AVS GSA Thailand to boost cargo operations on Bangkok-Mumbai route

    Thai VietJet partners with ECS Group’s AVS GSA Thailand to boost cargo operations on Bangkok-Mumbai route

    ECS Group is pleased to announce a new agreement between Thai VietJet and its subsidiary, AVS GSA Thailand on the Bangkok-Mumbai route.

    This collaboration boosts Thai VietJet’s cargo capabilities, leveraging ECS Group’s network and expertise to support the airline’s growing presence in the international cargo market. The first shipment under this agreement was successfully transported on January 21, 2025, on the Bangkok (BKK) to Mumbai (BOM) route.

    This partnership allows Thai VietJet to enhance its cargo offerings and optimize capacity utilization on its daily BKK-BOM-BKK flights. Using A320/321 passenger aircraft, the collaboration focuses on transporting general cargo, spare parts and e-commerce shipments. Key exports from Mumbai will include pharmaceuticals and garments, with transshipment opportunities via Bangkok to Thai VietJet’s broad route network.

    Jean Ceccaldi, CEO of ECS Group, stated, “This agreement with Thai VietJet underscores our dedication to empowering airline partners through our extensive network, advanced solutions, and industry expertise. By working together, we can support Thai VietJet maximize its cargo potential and seize new market opportunities efficiently.”

    Chirasak Chandratat, Managing Director of AVS GSA Thailand, commented, “Our collaboration with Thai VietJet demonstrates the power of partnerships in achieving growth and operational excellence. Leveraging ECS Group’s capabilities, we aim to enhance Thai VietJet’s cargo reach while delivering exceptional service to the market. This agreement marks a significant step forward for both organizations.”

    This partnership highlights ECS Group’s role as a global leader in air cargo services, while enabling Thai VietJet to expand its cargo operations and better serve the rising demand in key markets.

  • DHL Global Forwarding Japan and Nippon Cargo Airlines successfully complete charters for semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Hokkaido

    DHL Global Forwarding Japan and Nippon Cargo Airlines successfully complete charters for semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Hokkaido

    DHL Global Forwarding Japan, the freight specialist of DHL Group, and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) have successfully transported semiconductor manufacturing equipment via four charters aimed at significantly reducing transit time from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands to New Chitose Airport in Japan.

    To support this process, a main deck loader specifically designed for unloading and loading semiconductor equipment was transferred from Narita Airport to New Chitose Airport. Additionally, onsite personnel have been trained to take all necessary precautions to ensure smooth operations.

    Flexible measures, including regular cargo temperature checks and close collaboration with ground handling and logistics shed companies, have been implemented to minimize temperature fluctuations, even in winter conditions. Efforts have also been made to shorten the time between aircraft and truck loading.

    “As Japan experiences a strong 17.3% year-on-year growth in semiconductor equipment sales from January to August 2024, it has also maintained a 30% market share in the sector, second only to the United States. This remarkable growth reflects the country’s strength in advanced manufacturing and innovation,” said Karsten Michaelis, President/Representative Director, DHL Global Forwarding Japan.

    “It also underscores the importance of efficient and reliable transportation solutions to support the semiconductor industry. Our collaboration with Nippon Cargo Airlines is a key step in ensuring that Japan continues to lead in this critical sector.”

    In the year leading up to the four charters, DHL Global Forwarding’s local semiconductor specialist teams worked closely with NCA and customers to plan the necessary infrastructure requirements and strategize the safe, efficient transport of semiconductors. This ensures the transportation process adheres to the strictest requirements, even in Hokkaido’s severe winter weather.

    “This charter was very challenging for us under severe weather and constraints of operations in Chitose, and we could never achieve to success without cooperation of our reliable partner, DHL Global Forwarding Japan. I am honored that we could build our collaboration and to be a part of this national project. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the great efforts of DHL Global Forwarding Japan and partner companies. NCA will keep on serving to meet customers’ requirement”, said Hitoshi Watanabe, Executive Officer, Nippon Cargo Airlines.

    As global competition and geopolitical pressures intensify, Japan is shifting its focus towards its semiconductor industry, emphasizing growth and localization. The goal is to triple semiconductor sales from 2020 until 2030, reaching over US$108 billion. Hence, establishing efficient transportation for sensitive semiconductors is crucial in supporting market growth.

    DHL Global Forwarding Japan and NCA will support the further development of Hokkaido and the Japanese manufacturing industry by exploring ways to strengthen transportation for the local semiconductor sector.

  • Etihad Cargo operates over 300 flights from Ezhou to Abu Dhabi

    Etihad Cargo operates over 300 flights from Ezhou to Abu Dhabi

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has operated 329 scheduled flights and charters from Ezhou Huahu Airport to Zayed International Airport, further reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for customers across diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and perishables. Since the carrier’s inaugural flight to Ezhou Huahu Airport on August 18 2023, making it the first international airline to operate flights to Ezhou, Etihad Cargo has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key markets in Asia, Europe, and beyond.

    Ezhou Huahu Airport, Asia’s first dedicated freighter hub, has provided a strategic base for Etihad Cargo’s operations, facilitating the movement of over 18,700 tonnes of export cargo and more than 400 tonnes of imports through Abu Dhabi since 2023. The introduction of a sixth weekly scheduled flight in July 2024 and a seventh flight in 2025 have boosted the carrier’s network, ensuring seamless and efficient connections to key global markets. The recently achieved IATA CEIV Pharma certification by Ezhou Huahu Airport’s ground handling services has further improved its capabilities to support specialised cargo requirements, particularly for the pharmaceutical sector.

    Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, said: “As the first international carrier to operate from Ezhou, Etihad Cargo is proud to have played a pivotal role in demonstrating the airport’s superior capabilities and strategic importance within just one year of operations. Etihad Cargo’s customers have expressed high satisfaction with the reliability and efficiency of the service, validating the carrier’s decision to partner with Ezhou and recognising its potential as a global cargo hub. Ezhou Huahu Airport’s advanced infrastructure has impressed exporters and local customers alike, especially in facilitating seamless imports, while Etihad Cargo’s efforts to showcase Ezhou’s connectivity and capabilities to exporters in Europe and beyond are paving the way for even greater opportunities.”

    Ezhou Huahu Airport, with its advanced facilities and strategic location, has emerged as a key logistics hub, enabling the seamless movement of goods across Asia and beyond. Its extensive network of 36 international cargo routes, combined with Etihad Cargo’s global connectivity through Abu Dhabi, has created significant value for customers seeking efficient and reliable cargo solutions. The collaborative efforts of partners, stakeholders, and local authorities have been essential in driving the success of Etihad Cargo’s operations in the region.

    Li Wei, Deputy General Manager of Ezhou Huahu International Airport, said: “Ezhou Huahu International Airport is located in central China, boasting a strategic geographical advantage and solid foundational conditions. A domestic hub-and-spoke route network is already established, while international logistics channels are rapidly taking shape. Port functionalities are continuously improving, and operational capabilities are steadily advancing. In 2024, the airport’s cargo and mail throughput is projected to rank fifth nationwide, with 36 international cargo routes already operational. Ezhou Huahu International Airport regards Etihad Cargo as a key strategic partner and supports the launch of more cargo routes at the airport, achieving even greater milestones in the future.”

    Etihad Cargo’s operations in Ezhou are a key component of the carrier’s extensive network in Greater China, which will grow to 23 weekly freighters and 25 weekly passenger flights in 2025.

  • Qatar Airways Cargo and Unilode announce a major digitalisation partnership

    Qatar Airways Cargo and Unilode announce a major digitalisation partnership

    Qatar Airways Cargo, the leading air cargo carrier and Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced Unit Load Device (ULD) management, repair and digital services, announce their partnership for the digitalisation of the airline’s fleet of over 42,000 ULDs.

    The partnership represents the largest ULD digitalisation programme undertaken by an airline. Qatar Airways Cargo will leverage Unilode’s advanced ULD digitalisation capabilities to gain data-driven insights and real-time visibility into ULD locations, sensory data, and asset utilisation rates. Through Unilode’s digital technologies Qatar Airways Cargo will continue to strengthen its position to be at the forefront when it comes to streamlining operations, optimising resources, increasing revenue opportunities, and boosting performance.

    The partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo will make sure Unilode’s tag and reader network is further extended to cover the carriage of ULDs on the airline’s global passenger and cargo network. The tag and reader network will be supported by E-ULD, Unilode’s in-house developed mobile app and web portal that enables real time visibility & tracking of ULDs, and Unilode’s Enterprise Data Warehouse and customer portal, which provide the airline with enhanced data analytics to improve ULD utilisation and further reduce costs.

    Qatar Airways Cargo’s Chief Officer Cargo, Mark Drusch said, “We are excited to join forces with Unilode to embark on this ground breaking transformative digital journey. Our shared vision for ULD digitalisation and innovation will undoubtedly set new benchmarks in the air cargo industry for operational excellence, enabling us to elevate our customer experience and further optimise our resources. By implementing Unilode’s innovative digital solutions, we are able to allocate ULDs more effectively across our vast network of destinations and this in turn will increase asset utilisation, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly operation.”

    Unilode, Chief Executive Officer, Ross Marino, said, “Our collaboration with Qatar Airways Cargo represents a major digital milestone in the industry. This reinforces our commitment to our digital journey and providing our customers with technology-based solutions for their own fleet, or as part of our full service ULD management solutions.

    With this partnership we are confident that it will reshape ULD digitalisation across the industry and contribute to a more connected, efficient, and sustainable aviation ecosystem. With Qatar Airways Cargo as our partner, we look forward to working together on developing and enhancing our digital solutions further.”

  • DHL acquires reverse logistics leader, Inmar Supply Chain Solutions

    DHL acquires reverse logistics leader, Inmar Supply Chain Solutions

    DHL Supply Chain, the world’s leading contract logistics provider, announced the acquisition of Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, a division of Inmar Intelligence and a leading returns solutions provider for the retail e-commerce industry. The strategic acquisition will make DHL Supply Chain the largest provider of reverse logistics solutions in North America.

    The acquisition will result in 14 return centers and around 800 associates joining the DHL Supply Chain business expanding the company’s North American footprint which currently stands at over 520 warehouses supported by 52,000 associates. Additionally, DHL Supply Chain will now strengthen its returns capabilities to include product remarketing, recall management, and supply chain performance analytics. Inmar Intelligence will retain its pharmaceutical reverse distribution business.

    In the light of a rapidly growing e-commerce market and changing consumer behavior, returns are an increasingly important touchpoint for retail customers, both in store and online. These solutions will expand the value-added services available to DHL customers and create a more strategic delivery of holistic solutions for their most complex supply chain needs.

    “DHL Supply Chain’s market-leading logistics expertise and the addition of Inmar’s suite of returns services and its talented workforce will enable us to provide best-in-class logistics services to our industry customers. Together, we will create a returns business in North America that is unmatched in its depth, breadth, capabilities, and talent to fuel long-term growth,” said Oscar de Bok, Global CEO of DHL Supply Chain.

    “As companies strive to simplify their supply chain strategies and enhance their operational agility, DHL Supply Chain continues to innovate to provide comprehensive and integrated solutions. This acquisition strengthens our existing capabilities, allowing us to offer our customers a single-source solution for their entire supply chain, including the critical and complex area of returns management. This enhances the value we deliver to our customers by streamlining their operations, reducing complexity, and improving their overall supply chain efficiency,” said Patrick Kelleher, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, North America.

    He further added that, “The strategic growth opportunities that the returns market brings will enhance the success of DHL Supply Chain. It also puts us on the right path to support DHL Group’s plan to achieve 50% revenue growth by 2030 compared to 2023 as outlined in our recently announced Strategy 2030.”

    “Inmar Intelligence and DHL share a deep commitment to customer-focused innovation. Because of that, we are confident that DHL will build even greater things on top of the Inmar Supply Chain Solutions foundation that we developed over time. As well, we are thrilled that Inmar associates will have an even broader set of supply chain experiences available from which they can continue to learn and develop over time at DHL. For Inmar Intelligence, this deal sets the stage for us to apply an even deeper level of focus and investment into our core businesses that are expanding rapidly,” said Spencer Baird, CEO of Inmar Intelligence.

    Consumers expect retailers to provide a seamless returns process while retailers are faced with new challenges such as returns abuse and rising operational costs. Thus, the acquisition marks a logical step to foster DHL’s customer centric approach that involves collaboration, expertise, and integration to solve the greatest supply chain challenges.

    The acquisition of Inmar Supply Chain Solutions will also contribute to DHL’s strategic goal of decarbonizing its business by 2050. In the company’s recently announced Strategy 2030, sustainability is a strategic priority, recognizing its growing role as a key differentiator in the logistics sector. Assisting global customers to become carbon neutral is crucial, and DHL Group aims to achieve this by remaining the frontrunner in low-carbon logistics operations.

    At the core of returns management is the need to drive sustainability, and Inmar’s technology-driven reverse logistics solutions are recognized across the industry for reducing cost and eliminating the waste generated from returned consumer goods. Emphasis is placed on recommerce, which has diverted 99% of consumer returns from reaching a landfill; an approach that aligns with DHL’s commitment to make customers’ supply chains more sustainable.

  • J&T Express reports 32.5% parcel volume growth in Q4 2024

    J&T Express reports 32.5% parcel volume growth in Q4 2024

    J&T Global Express Limited announced its key operating data for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024. The company achieved a total parcel volume of 7.39 billion in Q4, a 32.5% year-over-year (“YoY”) increase, with an average daily volume of 80.3 million parcels. For the full year 2024, J&T Express handled 24.65 billion parcels, representing a 31% YoY increase and a 30.7% increase in average daily volume to 67.3 million parcels.

    Q4 growth was primarily driven by Southeast Asia and China, coinciding with the peak e-commerce season in these key markets. In Southeast Asia, J&T Express saw parcel volume jump 62.5% YoY to 1.4 billion in Q4. Full-year parcel volume in the region reached 4.56 billion, a 40.8% YoY surge, significantly exceeding market expectations of industry growth.

    In China, Q4 parcel volume grew 27.4% YoY to 5.91 billion. Full-year volume reached 19.8 billion, a 29.1% increase, outpacing industry growth in the first eleven months of the year.

    Parcel volume in New Markets (including the Middle East and Latin America) reached 74.4 million in Q4, a marginal 0.1% YoY increase. Full-year volume grew 22.1% to 280 million parcels.

    Throughout 2024, J&T Express continued to invest in infrastructure, expanding its transportation fleet and deploying automated sorting equipment. The company’s line-haul vehicles grew by 1,300 vehicles in Southeast Asia and 900 vehicles in China, reaching totals of 4,600 and 7,100 vehicles, respectively. The number of automated sorting machines across all markets increased by 45 to 279.

    J&T Express also strategically optimized its network partnerships and outlets, upgrading sorting centers to enhance operational efficiency. As of year-end 2024, the company operated 19,100 outlets and 238 sorting centers.

    “J&T Express delivered strong growth in Q4 2024, fueled by robust performance in Southeast Asia and China,” said Dylan Tey, Chief Financial Officer of J&T Express. “The over 60% surge in Southeast Asia’s Q4 volume, in addition to a low base from the same period last year, was driven by strong shipments from major e-commerce clients during peak shopping festivals like Double 11, as well as our continued expansion of parcel volume from non-e-commerce platforms. In China, we capitalized on the continued rapid growth of the express delivery industry, strengthening our market position with key e-commerce platforms. Our strategic focus on reverse logistics and individual parcels also contributed to strong results. With our robust network, high-quality service, and diversified growth strategies, J&T Express is well-positioned to benefit from the continued rapid growth of the e-commerce market.”

  • China Cargo Airlines appoints Tam Group as GSSA in the Philippines

    China Cargo Airlines appoints Tam Group as GSSA in the Philippines

    Tam Group has been appointed as the General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for China Cargo Airlines in the Philippines, with this appointment being recognized as the third territory in which Tam Group has been assigned this role, following Malaysia and Vietnam. This strategic alliance represents a crucial step in strengthening China Cargo Airlines’ operations across Southeast Asia. The partnership oFicially commenced on January 1, 2025.

    The flights between the Philippines and China play a vital role in facilitating trade and commerce, connecting businesses and consumers across these two dynamic markets. China Cargo Airlines presently operates five weekly flights from Manila to Shanghai and three from Cebu to Shanghai, utilising A320 series aircraft for these crucial routes. This connectivity supports the timely transport of goods, including perishables and electronics, enhancing economic ties and logistics capabilities between the countries. Notably, this agreement facilitates same-day delivery of perishables to major cities in Eastern China via Road Feeder Service (RFS), utilising the region’s earliest flight schedules.

    Alvin Tam, Senior Vice President of Tam Group, stated, “We are excited to deepen our partnership with China Cargo Airlines in the Philippines. This appointment not only enhances our regional footprint but also enables us to deliver improved services and support for their operations. At Tam Group, we have implemented various solutions, including a robust CRM system and 24/7 customer service, to ensure a seamless experience for our clients. We are continuously seeking enhancements to our offerings and look forward to collaborating closely with China Cargo Airlines to unlock their full potential in the Philippine market.”

    This appointment is expected to create significant opportunities for both Tam Group and China Cargo Airlines, enhancing their market presence in the rapidly growing Southeast Asia logistics sector.

  • DHL integrates the groundbreaking GEN3 Evo race car into its Formula E logistics

    DHL integrates the groundbreaking GEN3 Evo race car into its Formula E logistics

    DHL, the Official Founding and Logistics Partner of Formula E, is enabling the delivery of the 11th season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This coming season, as a special highlight, DHL is handling the transport of the new GEN3 Evo race cars. These groundbreaking vehicles set new standards: accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds, 30% faster than a Formula 1 car and 36% faster compared to the original GEN3 model.

    DHL transports the GEN3 Evo cars in specially designed crates, tailored to securely accommodate this highly valuable and delicate cargo. The crates are carefully packed to ensure every component is correctly placed, immobilized, and protected from damage.

    “As the trusted logistics partner for Formula E, DHL is proud to transport the new GEN3 Evo cars from race to race, delivering innovation and high performance with every journey,” says Manuela Gianni, Head of Motorsports Italy at DHL Global Forwarding. “These vehicles are redefining what’s possible in motorsport, and DHL is committed to ensuring that every car and piece of essential race equipment arrives exactly when and where it’s needed.”

    DHL has been an integral part of the world’s first all-electric motorsport championship since 2013. Drawing on 40 years of global motorsport experience, DHL has played a crucial role in bringing the championship to cities worldwide.

    DHL offers Formula E logistics with a focus on low-carbon services, utilizing multimodal transport solutions, including both sea and road freight, to maximize efficiency. Formula E uses sustainable fuels in these transport modes, which can cut GHG emissions around 80% compared to traditional fuels. This effort aligns with Formula E’s long-term commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative, aiming for a 45% reduction in absolute GHG emissions by 2030, compared to Season 5 levels. Additionally, Formula E has reduced the volume and weight of aviation freight by one-third, significantly lowering air freight emissions in season 11.

    The season opener in São Paulo on December 7, 2024, will be followed by races in major global cities, including Miami, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, and London. DHL will manage the transportation of around 400 metric tons of essential freight per race, ensuring the smooth delivery of race cars, batteries, charging units, broadcast equipment, and hospitality materials.

    In addition to providing logistical support, DHL is launching its new “Positive Power” campaign, celebrating the unstoppable impact of Formula E. The campaign emphasizes the passion of the sport and its global fanbase. DHL’s founding sponsorship aims to ignite enthusiasm for Formula E, showcasing the speed and innovation of the series, especially with the new GEN3 Evo car.

    DHL was the first logistics company to set a measurable carbon efficiency target: improve efficiency by 30% compared to 2007 levels by 2020. This goal was achieved four years ahead of schedule, in 2016. In 2017, DHL committed to an even greater sustainability goal: to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of this sustainability approach, DHL Group aims to reduce logistics-related GHG emissions to less than 29 million metric tons by 2030 and implement decarbonization measures across all modes of transport, which includes the electrification of 66% of the first and last-mile fleet.