Qatar Airways Cargo, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) Cargo and Siemens Logistics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote close cooperation in digitalising cargo handling processes. The collaborative project is due to deploy the latest in data analytics applications and predictive maintenance. Planned activities under the MoU include joint workshops, mutual site visits, and technical assistance training, said release. “Artificial intelligence, machine learning and senseful data usage are becoming increasingly important within airfreight handling,” said Michael Reichle, chief executive of Siemens Logistics. “We are excited to work with Qatar Airways Cargo and QAS Cargo in a forward-looking collaboration to jointly achieve results that will strengthen operational efficiency in demanding cargo processes.” Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo, Qatar Airways Group also said, “Our aim at Qatar Airways Group is to further implement digitally advanced, innovative cargo solutions to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from an even more sustainable and seamless operating environment. For this, Siemens Logistics is our clear choice as an experienced technology partner. With the signing of the MoU for digitalisation, we are preparing for the challenges to come.”

Latvia-based SmartLynx Airlines has expanded its fleet with the addition of four A321Fs to grow operations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The additional freighters will bring SmartLynx’s fleet to a total of 15 active aircraft of this type by H1, 2023, with a plan to expand up to 20 by the end of the year, said release. All four A321Fs – MSN 941, 961, 1185, and 1241 are part of a sales-leaseback agreement with Aero Capital Solutions, Inc. (ACS) and will be registered in Malta after the conversion. The passenger-to-freighter conversions are being undertaken by Precision Aircraft Solutions (Precision) and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the release added. Zygimantas Surintas, CEO of SmartLynx Airlines said, “The current demand for this type of aircraft is very high – even higher than the conversion capacity, and we are happy to be one of the first airlines to believe in the program and secure multiple P2F conversion slots. I can admit that at the beginning there were doubts if it was the right move for SmartLynx, but from today`s perspective, taking that risk and diversifying our business portfolio with cargo operations has proven to be the right choice. In addition to tapping into a market that has grown during the pandemic, the addition of freight business helps offset the seasonal issues that ACMI operators typically face.”

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Gwalior Airport in the presence of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar. The design of the new terminal is based on the needs of the future. The current airport has a runway can accommodate A-320 and ATR-72 types of aircraft. The new terminal building will be developed on a land of 172 acres, at the cost of Rs 450+ crore, which is 6 times more than the present 29 acres of land. The apron will have a parking capacity of 13 aircraft, which is 4 times higher than the current capacity. Apart from this, a cargo terminal will also be established to promote regional industries, which will help local production of the region reach every corner of the country and abroad. In his inaugural address, Shah appreciated the work of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and said that the way this airport has been planned it will be one of the best airports of the country. In the development of the new terminal building, technologies like rainwater harvesting and solar energy will be used to protect the environment. A 2.5 MW solar power plant will also be commissioned.

Snowman Logistics launches fifth-party logistics or 5PL services in the cold chain logistics and supply chain management sector in India. Commenting on the launch of the 5PL service, Sunil Nair – CEO of Snowman Logistics, said, “The launch of 5PL services has opened up a huge opportunity for us to convert our existing 3PL accounts to 5PL accounts. Being the industry leader in cold chain and integrated solutions for the last three decades, this is a win-win situation for us and our customers. By using our expertise, network of suppliers and customers and offer distribution and consolidation services in addition to our existing solutions, we are now offering one-stop distribution services, right from the manufacturing plant to the consumption points through which we are able to add further value and enhance earnings from our existing businesses without needing to invest in infrastructure. We have already started offering this service to IKEA, Tim Hortons and Baskin Robbins and are targeting aggressive growth in this segment.”

GEODIS has completed the acquisition of American company ‘Need It Now Delivers’ following the regulatory approvals. According to an official release, “The acquisition significantly expands GEODIS’s U.S. presence in the areas of contract logistics and last mile delivery and strengthens its end-to-end freight network domestically and internationally.” Based in Keasbey, New Jersey, the company operates a freight network with a strong presence in the East including over 65 company locations and more than 300 interconnected distribution points. “The completion of the acquisition will accelerate our continued growth in the U.S., which has become an essential market for GEODIS as we remain committed to building a fully integrated network of transport and logistics hubs globally. This acquisition allows GEODIS to expand our offerings in a consolidating market and solidify our position as one of the world’s top 10 leading logistics providers,” said Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO, GEODIS.

According to the fourth LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2022 report unveiled by the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are among the 15 States and Union Territories categorised as achievers in the logistics index chart 2022. The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth. “Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura are the other States categorised as fast movers in the ranking. The 15 States and UTs ranked in the aspirers category include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh. The other States and UTs which are in the achievers category include Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” the report stated. The report ranks the States on the basis of their logistics ecosystem, highlights the key logistics-related challenges faced by the stakeholders and includes suggestive recommendations. The index aims at enhancing the focus on improving logistics performance across states which is essential for improving the country’s trade and reducing transaction cost.

Warehousing activities in the national capital will soon become operational round the clock as the Delhi government has issued a draft notification in this regard and invited suggestions and objections on the move from the stakeholders within 15 days from the publication of the notice. According to official reports, the move comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena last week approved applications of more than 300 establishments, including online shopping and delivery shops, hotels, restaurants, and transport facilities and warehouses to operate round the clock. He also stressed on the inordinate delay, adhocism, randomness and unjustified discretion on part of the labour department in disposing of applications made by the firms for these exemptions. Delhi labour department also recently uploaded a draft notification exempting warehouses from sections 15 and 16 of Delhi Shops and Establishment Act 1954 which will pave the way for round-the-clock operation of such establishments.

Arif A Siddiqui, Vice President, Warehousing Association of India (WAI) and Founder & Director Coign Consulting shares his views on the National Logistics Policy, he says, “National Logistics Policy will help to develop a technologically enabled, integrated, cost efficient, resilient, sustainable and trusted logistics ecosystem in the country for accelerated and inclusive growth.” He adds, “This vision will be achieved by integrating the modes of transport, optimizing and utilizing logistics infrastructure, standardizing processes and service quality, modernizing technology and upgradation of infrastructure and formalization to reduce fragmentation in the sector. This will reduce cost of logistics in the country, improve Logistics Performance Index (LPI) and create data driven decision support mechanism for an efficient logistics ecosystem. One of the strategies close to me for achieving the above objectives will be to enable the development of comprehensive world class warehouse infrastructure that will facilitate the improvement in efficiency, productivity and service quality by standardization of specifications and use of technology, automation and digitization of the operations. On the other hand development of a robust framework for logistics parks to streamline approval processes to facilitate investments.”

Pradhaan Air Express, India’s youngest all-cargo airline, which commenced operations in October has named its first aircraft ‘Pehalwan’ – which is all set to transport cargo. ‘Pehalwan’ arrived in India in July 2022 and a second aircraft is expected by the end of the year. With a payload of around 21 tons, the A320 Freighter has an ideal range to cover Indian sub-continent, Middle East and Far East destinations, said reports. The airline operated its first domestic flight on 1 October to Mumbai and returned the same day. This was followed by its maiden international operation with a flight to Hanoi on 9 October. The airline received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Ministry of Civil Aviation in September.

According to the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) 2022-2041, there will be robust demand for dedicated freighters to support global supply chains and growing express networks. According to reports, “Carriers will need 2,800 additional freighters overall including 940 new widebody models in addition to converted narrow-body and widebody freighters over the forecast period.” The report added, “Boeing CMO is expecting 1,855 passenger-to-freighter conversions over the period. Following a 10 per cent decline in 2020, air cargo traffic bounced back strongly from the initial impact of the pandemic, posting an annual growth rate of 21 percent in 2021. Boeing forecasts air cargo will increase at an average compound rate of 4.1 percent per year over two decades. This is an increase over our 2021 forecast of 4 percent,” says the update. Robust growth in East Asia, acceleration of global e-commerce and evolution of supply chains will be key drivers over the next 20 years.”