Emirates SkyCargo has announced an order for more Boeing 777 freighters that will be used to expand its all-cargo fleet. The Dubai-headquartered airline has placed a firm order for five 777Fs, on top of its existing order for nine of the model. The aircraft will be used to expand its freighter fleet to 21 777Fs from its current 11 units when they are all delivered by the end of 2026. Emirates had also previously announced plans to convert 10 777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters and said it remains “invested” in the plan, although no update was given to the timeline for re-configuration. The airline also operates three Boeing 747-400BDSF aircraft. The decision to order more aircraft comes on the back of expectations for rising cargo demand and as Dubai plans to expand Al Maktoum International airport (DWC).    

Uniworld Logistics announced its rebranding as ‘The World’s Trusted Logistics Partner Since 2002.’ This rebranding marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, reflecting its commitment to empowering India and beyond with innovative and reliable logistics solutions. This rebranding is not just about a new look; it is about reaffirming our commitment to our clients, our partners, and our employees. It is about embracing the future with confidence and determination. We are proud to be a company that empowers India, driving growth and development through our logistics solutions. As we align with the vision of Vikshit Bharat, we are prepared to take on the challenges and opportunities that come with India’s rapid development. Uniworld Logistics is committed to supporting this vision by enhancing our infrastructure, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and fostering sustainable practices. We are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2030 as envisaged by our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Our strategic initiatives and innovative solutions are designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

Allcargo Gati continues to strengthen its market presence in Meerut’s flourishing sports goods cluster. Specialising in the transportation of these high-demand sports items like table tennis equipment, badminton gear, bats, and balls. The cluster services key regions with 45% of its shipments directed to the South, 20% to the East, 20% to the West, and 15% to the North. Allcargo Gati is providing services to more than 80 customers, contributing significantly to the growth and visibility of the cluster. The key markets serviced by Allcargo Gati include retail hubs in Surajkund, Sports Complex, Partapur Industrial Area, and Victoria Park, where large retailers and wholesalers drive direct sales of these popular sports items. Ketan Kulkarni, Deputy Managing Director, Gati Express and Supply Chain Pvt. Limited (GESCPL) commented, “The Meerut sports goods cluster contributes roughly 25% of India’s total sports goods exports. Over the past 20 years, the cluster’s remarkable growth in producing high-quality sports equipment highlights the resilience and innovation of Meerut’s manufacturers. At Allcargo Gati, by focusing on our advanced technological solutions we streamline operations, optimize supply chains, and enhance delivery speeds, ensuring that the Meerut’s MSME can meet the growing demands and stay ahead of industry trends.” Uday Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer, Allcargo Gati Limited stated, “The Meerut cluster, comprising of both MSMEs and household units, has seen a significant growth over the past few years.  However, challenges like fluctuating demand, and logistical complexities continue to put pressure on the industry’s supply chain. Our long-standing experience with extensive transportation in this region has allowed us to refine logistics processes, ensuring timely deliveries despite these obstacles.”

KSH Integrated Logistics announced the expansion of its warehousing operations in Bommasandra, Bangalore spreading across 40.000 sq.ft. This strategic expansion is to provide services to varied customers. The new multi-client warehouse is equipped to handle diverse goods, offering flexible solutions that meet the complex demands of today’s supply chain. The facility adopts a plug-and-play model, allowing clients to scale and adjust operations with ease. It also incorporates advanced warehousing systems such as Pallet In Pallet Out, Pallet in Box Out, and Box in Piece Out, ensuring precise inventory management, smooth order fulfillment, and value-added services. A key highlight of this warehouse is the expansion feasibility of heavy-duty racking capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 pallets, significantly enhancing storage capabilities and operational efficiency. In addition to the core warehousing capabilities, this new warehouse offers a range of value-added services, including prepacking, kitting and promo packs. The robust Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Transport Management System (TMS) shall further enhance operational efficiency, enabling real-time tracking and management of inventory and shipments. This shall ensure complete visibility and control over the supply chain processes. 

Nihar Parida, Air Cargo Consultant says, “The shift towards road transport for cargo in sectors like retail, FMCG, pharma, and perishables is driven by the limitations of airport storage facilities and capacity. Road transport offers flexibility and faster delivery times, addressing the urgent needs of these industries. Additionally, with rising demand for just-in-time inventory, road logistics can efficiently handle small, frequent shipments that airports may struggle with. This trend not only enhances supply chain resilience but also allows businesses to maintain product quality, especially for perishables. As infrastructure improves, road transport will likely solidify its role as a preferred option for domestic cargo.”

“The trend in logistics where road transport is increasingly favored for cargo, particularly in sectors like retail, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), pharmaceuticals, and perishables. This trend is likely driven by several factors such as airports may lack sufficient storage facilities and capacity for domestic cargo, making road transport a more viable option. Another factor includes Speed and Efficiency. Road transport can offer quicker delivery times for certain goods, especially when air freight capacity is constrained. Further, depending on the distance and volume of goods, road transport might be more economical than air transport, particularly for lower-value items. Road transport can provide more flexible routing and scheduling than air transport, accommodating changes in demand or unforeseen circumstances. Road transport plays a crucial role in the final leg of the supply chain, ensuring that goods reach their destination promptly. However, road transport has infrastructure limitations, traffic congestion, and state-wise regulatory compliances, which may delay the shipment. Today, the majority of the trucks are fitted with GPS that enables real-time tracking and plan the shipment accordingly.”

C K Govil, CMD, Activair Airfreight says, “The shift towards road transport for cargo like retail, FMCG, pharma, and perishables is driven by the increasing inefficiencies at airport terminals, particularly in storage and capacity constraints for domestic cargo. Road logistics offers flexibility, faster turnaround times, and better connectivity to remote locations, which is critical for time-sensitive goods such as perishables and pharmaceuticals. With airport infrastructure struggling to keep up with the growing demand, especially in domestic sectors, road transport becomes a more reliable option for businesses seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions to ensure timely deliveries across the supply chain.

Etihad Cargo has unveiled its expanded winter schedule, increasing belly hold cargo capacity across key global markets. Starting November 2024, the enhanced schedule will introduce additional frequencies to existing routes and a new passenger destination—Nairobi. Etihad Cargo will offer belly capacity on 880 passenger flights per week in November 2024, increasing to over 900 flights per week by March 2025. Etihad Cargo will enhance its operations with additional weekly widebody flights. In Europe, the carrier will add 36 weekly flights, with destinations including Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Milan moving to double-daily services. Additional flights will also boost capacity in Zurich, Manchester, and Düsseldorf. In Southeast Asia, services to Thailand will increase by nine flights, with Bangkok reaching triple-daily frequency and Phuket increasing to 20 flights weekly. In the US, flights to Boston will increase from four to daily. Etihad Cargo will also upgrade existing services in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The Malé route, which currently has 14 weekly flights, will switch entirely to widebody aircraft starting from December 15. Additionally, widebody frequencies will increase for Bengaluru from two to three flights per week, and Hyderabad will increase from nine to 11 flights weekly. The capacity will further grow with the introduction of new A320 flights, including a new route to Nairobi, launching on December 15 with four weekly flights. This will strengthen the carrier’s footprint in the Middle East and Africa, supporting increased regional connectivity.  

Kamal Jain, Director, Cargomen Logistics says, “Road transport is favored over air cargo for industries like retail, FMCG, pharma, and perishables due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and ease of last-mile delivery. It provides direct access to regional areas and a well-established logistics network that simplifies the distribution process. Additionally, road transport requires less complex booking, allowing for faster scheduling. For perishables and pharmaceuticals, it ensures an unbroken cold chain with refrigerated trucks, maintaining consistent temperature control throughout the journey and minimizing the risk of spoilage or quality degradation, making it a more reliable and efficient choice for domestic logistics.”

Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo says, “There is no denying the fact that as compared to other modes, the transportation by road is the cheapest means and agile considering that it does not require a large specific infrastructure and are available of all types which can store & carry assorted nature of cargo including the perishables under specific temperature. Road transport offers greater flexibility to adapt pickup & delivery times facilitating storage for a longer duration. Further, apart from rendering a swift transportation, the recent GPS technologies have made it easy to always track the vehicle’s movement to have real-time information. And above all, no tedious and lengthy paperwork gets involved while transporting the cargo by road which can be delivered at the airport to meet the final timeline of the carrier without having these stored at the airport’s warehouse for long.”