Geodis is launching a new brand campaign featuring its new tagline, ‘A better way to deliver’, underlining its commitment to a sustainable future for the logistics sector.  The four key visuals in the campaign have been designed to create a strong GEODIS identity and help the Group move closer to its core values and purpose: “Serving people by delivering their goods all around the world with innovative, sustainable and ethical logistics.” Geodis’s new tagline, “A better way to deliver”, reflects the company’s determination to continually reduce its environmental impact by offering a responsible and sustainable service to all its customers. It also highlights the Group’s desire to put people at the heart of its logistics operations, in order to offer the best delivery solutions and a personalized, respectful experience for customers and employees alike. And lastly, it symbolizes the Group’s commitment to keeping pace with the very latest trends in logistics, which need to address global economic and technological upheavals.

UPS has launched its specialized healthcare-focused cross-docking facility in Hyderabad. Designed to keep the Indian pharma customers and their needs at the core, this pharma-grade facility comes with global freight forwarding capabilities. It is equipped with advanced temperature control capabilities, ensuring that sensitive products are always stored and transported within their required temperature ranges – preserving their efficacy and safety. Providing an additional layer of security for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments, it has a capacity to hold or sort 15 pallets in +15°C to +25°C, 7 Pallets in +2 to +8°C and 50 pallets under uncontrolled ambient conditions. This enables pharma companies to distribute their products more efficiently, eliminating the need for prolonged warehouse storage. The facility also serves as a safety net for critical shipments. It ensures that even in contingency situations, these vital shipments remain protected. UPS Healthcare has been helping companies make their operations more precise, productive, scalable and smart for over 20 years. We have a team of more than 10,000 healthcare logistics experts, spanning 216 facilities with a total of 17 million square feet (10 million cold chain dedicated) of cGMP and GDP-compliant healthcare distribution space servicing over 200 countries and territories. “With India at the forefront of the healthcare industry, we’re committed to simplifying logistics for our customers,” said Grégory Goba-Blé, Head of UPS India and Director of MOVIN Express. “When it comes to the future of healthcare, it’s all about innovations in biologics, specialty pharmaceuticals and personalized medicine. We’re here to back up these innovations with precision logistics that fit like a glove.” “We are excited about the launch of our new specialized healthcare-focused cross-docking facility in Hyderabad,” said Arnab Bhattacharya, Country Manager for …

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) say, the average international freight load factor for Asia Pacific airlines rose for the fourth consecutive month in August following more than two years in decline, but supply chain disruptions continue to blight operations. Preliminary August traffic figures released by AAPA found international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), recorded a 12.2% year-on-year increase, outpacing the 10.4% expansion in capacity. As a result, the average international freight load factor rose by 0.9 percentage points to 59.6% for the month. Despite signs of moderation in the broader manufacturing sector, the surge in e-commerce demand, out of the major manufacturing hubs in the region drove air cargo volumes higher, commented the AAPA. Subhas Menon, AAPA director general, said that during the first eight months of the year, “International air cargo demand surged by 15% year on year, driven by several key factors, including a thriving e-commerce sector. Disruptions in ocean freight logistics also encouraged modal shifts from sea to air, as businesses sought faster and more reliable transport alternatives”.

According to the latest figures from the Baltic Exchange Airfreight Index (BAI) calculated by TAC Index, airfreight rates on the transpacific market were largely flat in September but are expected to pick up as the peak season approaches and as US port strikes are now underway. The report shows rates from Hong Kong to North America in September edged up by $0.02 compared with August to $5.98 per kg. Meanwhile, from Hong Kong to Europe prices in September were up $0.23 cents compared with August to $4.66 per kg. The flat rates come as prices around August and September tend to be fairly steady as the industry prepares for the busier fourth-quarter peak season. This year there have also been reports of a slower than expected air cargo market during the month. Data provider WorldACD also noted a cooling of the air cargo market in September as figures were affected by the one-day mid-Autumn festival in many east Asian countries.

According to Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the nodal agency for developing the two greenfield airports in Hosur and Parandur, located in the industrial hubs of Krishnagiri and Kancheepuram districts respectively will soon have cargo villages.  TIDCO is planning for the facility to meet the requirements of industries in both the regions. Sandeep Nanduri, MD, TIDCO, said the facility at Parandur would have a capacity to handle one million metric tonnes of cargo. It will have a full-fledged cargo facility, and a cargo village is also being planned, he added. Noting that a proper cargo infrastructure was lacking in the existing airport in Chennai for various legacy issues, he said the cargo village would have a direct connectivity to the upcoming Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Mappedu in the neighbouring Tiruvallur district, said reports.

Menzies Aviation will open a new facility as part of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) Cargo Precinct in late 2026. The handler has taken a 20-year lease on a 22,500 sq m facility with an Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV) system capable of handling over 150 maindeck ULD’s. The facility also has direct airside access, multiple freighter bays adjacent to it, and autonomous vehicles and robotic solutions. “With WSI set to offer 24/7 aircraft and landside operations, the airport will provide more flexibility and substantially increased peak-time capabilities for critical supply chains,” Menzies said in a press release. “In fact, from day one, WSI’s Cargo Precinct will boost Sydney’s air cargo capacity by around 33%.” The company said the facility would allow it to specialise in handling pharmaceutical and cool chain products, e-commerce and heavy cargo. Beau Paine, global head of cargo, Menzies Aviation, said, “We’re looking forward to 2026, when this state-of-the-art cargo facility will open as part of the new Western Sydney International Airport. This operation will enable us to deliver first-class, interconnected cargo services at both of Sydney’s international airports, expanding our service offering to our airline and freighter customers. We’re excited to increase our footprint in Australia and support the country’s thriving air cargo sector.”

Jindal Stainless has announced a strategic collaboration with CJ Darcl Logistics to develop lightweight and sustainable stainless-steel containers designed for transporting a variety of goods, including polymers, batteries and rubber. The company supplied 2.2 metric tonnes of JT stainless steel for each container, replacing the traditional carbon steel used in the sidewalls, end walls and roof. In addition, the underframes of containers are also made up of customised stainless steel tubes, said reports. These transitions have resulted in a weight reduction of approximately 500 kilograms per container, leading to increased cargo capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced operational costs. Additionally, the containers benefit from enhanced safety and prolonged life owing to the superior impact and fire resistance of JT grade stainless steel.

Challenge Group has announced the expansion of its operations in India with the introduction of two weekly cargo flights to Delhi, starting October 3, 2024. This brings the Group’s total to five weekly flights into India, including three into Mumbai. The new service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays using Challenge Group’s growing fleet of Boeing 767F aircraft, with a capacity of approximately 52 tons each. “Delhi is a vital hub for global trade, and our new routes reflect our commitment to supporting India’s growth as a key player in the world economy,” said Or Zak, Chief Commercial Officer at Challenge Group. “These flights will boost connectivity for essential industries and provide much-needed capacity for temperature controlled, time-sensitive, hi-tech shipments, along with other complex verticals.”

The Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) organised its 61st Annual General Meet (AGM) in New Delhi. Dushyant Mulani, Chairman, executive members, govt officials and industry stakeholders, focused on various issues prevailing in this industry such as innovation, technological enhancements, demand coming from Grade A Warehouses especially for electronics, automobiles, the need for air cargo hubs, 3PLs, operational excellence, multimodal connectivity, collaboration etc. Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MoCA also graced the occasion and highlighted that infrastructure at metro and regional airports need improvement. Cargo industry stakeholders must collaborate in order to succeed.

CK Govil, President, ACAAI talks about the theme of the upcoming convention, ‘Wings of Innovation: Charting New Paths in Logistics’ and shares that the theme emphasises the dynamic and transformative role innovation plays in the logistics industry. The logistics sector is undergoing a digital revolution, driven by technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and big data These innovations help optimize supply chains, improve transparency, and boost efficiency. For example: – AI and predictive analytics enable companies to forecast demand, streamline routing, and reduce delivery times. – IoT-enabled sensors provide real-time tracking of cargo, improving visibility across the supply chain. – Blockchain technology ensures secure and transparent transactions, particularly in verifying shipment records, reducing fraud, and building trust between stakeholders. Environmental sustainability is becoming a major focus in logistics, and innovation is at the heart of this transformation. Companies are now investing in: – Alternative fuels like electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles for transportation to reduce carbon emissions. – Efficient route optimization software that minimizes fuel consumption and reduces unnecessary transport miles. – Circular logistics that focuses on waste reduction and recycling within the supply chain. The integration of autonomous vehicles and drones is poised to revolutionize last-mile delivery: – Drones are already being tested for quick, short-distance deliveries in congested urban areas and remote locations. This not only saves time but also reduces traffic and emissions. – Self-driving trucks could reduce labor costs, improve safety, and ensure round-the-clock transportation without the limitations of human drivers. The pandemic underscored the need for resilient supply chains. Innovation in logistics can help companies be better prepared for future disruptions: – Cloud-based logistics platforms facilitate real-time coordination among multiple stakeholders. – AI-driven contingency planning allows businesses …