Cathay Pacific Cargo is introducing Ultra Track, its multi-dimensional tracking product, to its network, with a phased introduction at 29 ports across the globe. Cathay Pacific Cargo’s Ultra Track uses the Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)TM Network, Tags and Readers. These data-loggers and transmitters offer visibility to Cathay Pacific Cargo customers who can now monitor shipments in near real-time through the airport-to-airport leg of the air-cargo journey. This is the first Cathay Pacific IoT (internet of things) application that enables remote connection to shipments. Ultra Track is suitable for pharmaceutical, perishable and other vulnerable shipments. The loggers record and transmit data to Bluetooth readers in the cargo terminal and on the airside ramp area. Data includes GPS location and temperature – and depending on the type of shipment, this can be extended to include light, humidity (for example, for cut-flower shipments) and vibration, which is important for sensitive specialist cargo such as stepper machines, the printing presses for microchips.

Russian freighter operator Volga-Dnepr Airlines, in partnership with logistics provider Geodis, has transported a large custom-built compressor from Zurich, Switzerland to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.The carrier said that the special, one-of-a-kind cargo — measuring 15.65 m x 4.40 m x 3.85 m and weighing 100 tonnes — was one of the largest out-of-gauge shipments ever carried on one of its An-124-150 aircraft. Volga-Dnepr’s operational base in Dubai coordinated each step of the process, supported by load planners and a commercial team. Artemiy Ivanovskiy, regional manager, India, Middle East and Africa, at Volga-Dnepr Airlines, commented: “With strict delivery deadlines from the onset we were battling with many challenges from production, assembly, operations handling and other facets. Thanks to clear and straightforward communication with all the stakeholders, we were able to resolve them and come up with a comprehensive action plan to accomplish this complex transportation, meeting [our] customer’s requirements and getting positive feedback in the end.”

UK-based start-up carrier Hans Airways has selected Air Logistics Group as its general sales and service agent (GSSA) for cargo sales across its network. The exclusive GSSA agreement, effective from August 1, will see the GSSA providing the carrier with full cargo sales, marketing, online booking and customer service support across its network. Stephen Dawkins, chief executive at Air Logistics Group, commented: “Hans Airways is an exciting new face in the airline industry and will be operating on a vital trade route between the UK and India. We are confident that their new service from the UK to India is just the start, and that we can build the cargo business across the Hans Airways network as it expands.” Ian Davies, chief operating officer at Hans Airways, added: “In Air Logistics Group, we are confident that we have chosen a partner capable of providing the selling expertise, fast response times and service levels and that the freight community will expect from [us]. With experienced staff, and the network to provide effective coverage of our planned routes, Air Logistics Group is well-positioned to be the face of the Hans Airways cargo team.”

The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, launched its Carrier Haulage service from Kolkata to Biratnagar via road, where the first shipment was successfully transported on July 6th 2021. With this service, the Group is able to provide a seamless, one-stop solution to its customers for moving their cargo from Kolkata to Biratnagar. Since 2017, the CMA CGM Group has been successfully operating its Rail Service to ICD Birgunj via Kolkata & Visakhapatnam. With the launch of the new Carrier Haulage Service, Biratnagar is the second key location in Nepal being covered by CMA CGM global network. CMA CGM connects Nepal with its global maritime service via its hub ports in Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang which is connected to Kolkata and Visakhapatnam via dedicated feeder services.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport/ www.bengaluruairport.com ) has processed 483,460 kgs of mangoes in four months from March to June, 2021. The month of June witnessed highest movement of mangoes with 169,882 kgs. A total of 158,936 kgs were processed in May, 110,886 kgs in April and 43,776 in March. This year, Doha emerged as the leading destination for mangoes from Bengaluru, with 140,000 kgs, followed by London (68,000 kgs) and Singapore (55,000 kgs). Backed by two reputed cargo terminal operators – Air India SATS and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore- BLR Airport has the infrastructure required to ensure the fruits reach their destinations maintaining their quality as well as freshness. To ensure quality and freshness, mangoes are stored and moved to the aircraft within the required temperature range, reducing waiting time at terminals.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended the exemption allowing airlines to carry cargo in the cabin of aircraft. The exemption had been due to expire on July 10, but Airlines for America and others petitioned the administration to extend the exemption for another year. They argued that cargo capacity was still constrained due to fewer passenger flights and that allowing flight to carry cargo in the cabin would help alleviate supply chain constraints. In the end, the FAA agreed the exemption until the end of the year. “The agency determined that airfreight capacity has not yet been fully restored to all communities, especially those which are dependent on passenger airplanes for such service,” the FAA said. “The FAA therefore finds that a short-term extension of this exemption will be in the public interest by supporting the continuity of the carriage of airfreight.”

High ocean freight rates caused by service disruption is helping push forwarders and shippers to use airfreight. In its latest market summary, airline association IATA said that air cargo is benefitting from “exceptionally congested” container shipping supply chains. It pointed out that the cost-competitiveness of air cargo relative to that of container shipping has improved over recent months, with the average cost of air cargo in May six times more expensive than seafreight, compared with 12 times more expensive pre-crisis. “Improved competitiveness compared to sea shipping should continue to make air cargo a bright spot for airlines while passenger demand struggles with continued border closures and travel restrictions,” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.

In its Q2 2021 financial results, Delta Air Lines’ reported cargo revenues exceeding pre-Covid (2019) levels. From March to June this year, the carrier’s cargo division, Delta Cargo, posted revenues of $251m — a 35% increase on cargo revenues in 2019. Rob Walpole, vice president of Delta Cargo, commented: “Air cargo volumes overall are back to pre-Covid levels, but the capacity available to move those volumes is less than what it was pre-Covid. So there’s an imbalance between supply demand. I think that will continue through next year — certainly through the first half of next year until international passenger services [and bellyhold capacity] get closer to pre-Covid levels.” With limited international passenger services operating currently, Walpole said Delta Cargo has ramped up its domestic network and added that operating at major US hubs like New York JFK has “improved our connectivity between Asia and Europe, and Latin America, and other Europe in Asia”.

Qatar Airways Cargo announces the further roll out of third-party eBooking platform WebCargo by Freightos across the United States of America*, effective 19 July 2021. Forwarders in the USA will be able to conduct eBookings with access to live rates and available capacity on the WebCargo platform. This will further improve their booking experience with the airline, resulting in higher efficiencies and instant responses for confirmation. The cargo carrier has an extensive network in the United States spanning 12 cities with 145 weekly flights, thus offering customers more than 4,700 tonnes of cargo capacity every week. Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Guillaume Halleux said: “Following our successful launch across Europe, we are glad to introduce WebCargo throughout the United States of America, steadily extending digitalisation across our organisation. We are actively pushing for digitalisation in air freight as it brings in efficiencies and provides multiple benefits for our customers such as 24/7 visibility of price and capacity as well as real time confirmation to name a few.”

Aegis Logistics and Royal Vopak of the Netherlands on Tuesday announced that of forming a joint venture (JV) – Aegis Vopak Terminals (AVTL), to grow together in the LPG, chemicals storage, and handling business. Under this new partnership, we will see the two companies operate a network of terminals that are currently located in five strategic ports along the east and west coast of India. With a total capacity of around 9,60,000 cubic meters, the partnership will become one of the largest independent tank storage companies for LPG and chemicals in India and provide further growth, which targets mainly LPG and also chemicals and industrial terminal opportunities. This investment would help Royal Vopak towards its strategy to allocate capital to grow in gas markets. The transaction is expected to close in early 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.