Airbus is expanding its outsized air cargo capabilities with a new loading system for the Beluga A300-600ST aircraft for military cargo. The total lifting capacity of the Airbus Defence and Space-developed loading system to move outsized military cargo into the A300-600ST reaches 35 tonnes. Airbus tested the capability of the loading system, which requires no crane for its use and can be relocated to the aircraft’s destination, during a verification exercise with the German armed forces, the system’s first customer. The exercise involved loading a CH53 military medium-lift helicopter into the Beluga. “The demand for outsized air cargo capability is on the rise. Capacity is scarce and, current geopolitical developments, many customers are looking for new, fast, and efficient solutions. This is what we offer with our BelugaST fleet,” said Michael Schoellhorn, chief executive, Airbus Defence and Space. “Our teams have been working on a remarkable solution to facilitate efficient, and autonomous handling to load heavy military cargo onto the aircraft. “Speed, agility and autonomy are crucial elements for our customers when it comes to such operations.”

IndoSpace launched e-bikes in Chakan as part of its sustainability initiatives on Zero Emissions Day. IndoSpace’s next sustainability initiative seeks to provide an actionable solution to emissions arising from commutes at our smart parks. IndoSpace has partnered with Chartered Bike to introduce e-bikes along with charging stations, especially dedicated for its tenants and employees to commute within the industrial park. These e-bikes would offer tenants, their workforce, and all park visitors a quick, convenient, healthy, and zero-emission commute throughout the park. IndoSpace is constantly upgrading and embracing developments to build smart and green parks that assure efficient operations. The move will support our tenants and their workforce embrace healthy, active, and sustainable transport solutions. The e-bikes will be docked at two key locations—the first one will be at the entrance of the park, while the second one will be at a convenient midway point that will make it easy for the customers to access the service by following a few simple steps.

Mahindra Logistics Limited (MLL) announced the strategic collaborations with 10 innovative technology startups during the CATAPULT Premier Day at Bengaluru. The CATAPULT incubator program is one of the most ambitious technology-based initiative of Mahindra Logistics. Six cohorts of CATAPULT 2.0 have been collaborating with MLL over the past nine months and technology MVPs (pilots) were successfully piloted during this period. MVPs were focused towards developing sustainable solutions and enhancing operational efficiencies in the logistics and mobility space. CATAPULT Cohort 2.0 covered wide technology domains such as Vision tech, Advanced analytics, AI-based optimizer, location-based monitoring tech and sustainable LMD solutions. Six startups part of Cohort 2.0 were Accio Robotics, Linkeddots, Constems—AI, SenseGiz, Jidoka Technologies and Aurita Bikes. During the award ceremony, Strategic Collaboration MoUs were signed with eight startups–HiPer, Enmovil, KoiReader, Accio Robotics, Aurita Bikes, Constem–AI, Linkeddots, and Sensegiz. The technology startups will be integrated as part of MLL’s ‘Smart Automation Program’.

Cathay Pacific has signed an agreement with Aemetis for the supply of 38 million US gallons of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to be delivered over seven years beginning in 2025 from San Francisco International Airport. “The SAF purchased can reduce more than 80,000 tonnes of lifecycle carbon emissions, equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by more than 1.3 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years. The agreement is also part of the joint procurement initiative for SAF by the oneworld alliance, of which Cathay Pacific is a founding member,” said an official release. Augustus Tang, Chief Executive Officer said, “Cathay Pacific continues to reaffirm its commitment to addressing climate change despite these challenging times. In the past few years, we have announced our carbon net-zero by 2050 target and our goal of achieving 10 percent use of SAF by 2030. In doing this, we have built a robust SAF procurement strategy to help meet our goals. We are pleased that this agreement with Aemetis will contribute to that effort, and we hope it will also send the right signal to the SAF industry to encourage the much-needed investment and scaling up of its supply chain.”

US based National Airlines announced the arrival of a fuel-efficient freighter to its fleet. Boeing 747-400 ERF is an extended range freighter. With registration N663CA (MSN 35237), it features a nose door and a large side door, the aircraft is a logical choice globally for sophisticated cargo movements across long distances, said release. “The induction is part of National Airlines’ current global fleet and network expansion approach to meet the massive demand to move huge shipments worldwide.” The release added, “The aircraft has a maximum gross payload of an incredible 128 metric tons (about 282,000 pounds). The nose door loading capability, a unique feature of this type of aircraft, gives National the capability to move customers’ shipments of any length, which is not possible with the B777 freighter. This aircraft is also particularly suitable for pharmaceuticals, seafood, perishables, and other cold chain shipments.” https://www.stattimes.com/aviation/b747-400erf-joins-national-airlines-fleet-1346507

Yashpal Sharma, President, Air Cargo Forun India shares key action plans and areas which will be covered under the National Logistics Policy. He said, “Integrated Digital Logistics Systems – a unified logistics interface to link multiple data sources and develop cross sectoral user cases for logistics stakeholders. Standardisation of physical assets and benchmarking service quality standards: Enhance interoperability, minimize handling risks, undertake process optimisation, and improve ease of doing business, through standardisation of physical assets and benchmarking of service quality standards in logistics. EXIM Logistics: Addressing infrastructure and procedural gaps in India’s EXIM connectivity and create efficient and reliable logistics network, with transparent and streamlined cross-border trade facilitation, for improved trade competitiveness and greater integration of India with regional and global value chains and facilitation of development of logistics parks” He added, “We at ACFI are very excited on the focus of the Government of India on Logistics over the last few years and these intitves like PM Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy will surely convert this excitement into action road-map. We will work on key aspects related to Air cargo and collaborate with MOCA and other ministeries and regulatories to achieve the key targets of NLP and PM Gati Shakti.”

tate the seamless movement of airfreight in India, PM Narendra Modi launched the National Logistics Policy on September 17. Commenting on the same, Xerrxes Master, President, Association Of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI) said, “The National Logistics Policy is a revolution in the logistics industry. It will ensure a substantial reduction of logistics costs in India and improve logistics performance index ranking among the top 25 countries by 2030. In addition, it creates an efficient logistics ecosystem to ensure a resilient supply chain. The policy will be implemented through a Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP) via Integrated Digital Logistics Systems, Standardisation of Physical assets and benchmarking service quality standards, Logistics Human Resources Development and Capacity Building, State Engagement, EXIM (Export-Import) Logistics, Service Improvement Framework, Sectoral Plan for Efficient Logistics and Facilitation of Development of Logistics Parks. This well laid out strategy will ensure the desired results within the stipulated period.”

M Afzal Malbarwala, President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India shared his views on the recently launched National Logistics Policy and said it is a great gift to the logistics industry. “PM’s vision and his thoughts are very inspirational. He has given us the policy and now as a sector, we have to perform and show the progress and results. PM also praised the work done by the logistics industry during the pandemic which is a great booster. As mentione by the PM, logistics industry needs to perform at cheetah’s speed ensuring fast deliveries in the coming times and we have government’s support. It was an honour and inspiration to hear from such a great person. Today, with this policy, we are at par with any other country.”

Sanjiv Mehta, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said, “NLP has the potential to significantly reduce costs and improve industry competitiveness in consonance with the Gati Shakti programme. The resultant unified policy environment would substantially strengthen the logistics sector through optimum inter-ministry coordination and deployment of resources. We believe that combining the strengths of different modes of transport, adopting technology, and digitisation will give a major fillip to the industry. The National Logistics Policy and the PM Gati Shakti would significantly help to reduce costs and augment competitiveness.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the much-awaited National Logistics Policy in the National Capital on Saturday. Commenting on the same, veteran freight forwarder, Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena and Company said, “The National Logistics Policy will accelerate the growth of the sector in the coming years as it aims to promote seamless movements of goods across the country and addresses the infrastructure, procedural gaps in India’s EXIM connectivity by creating efficient, reliable and streamlined cross border trade facilitation. The sectoral plans for cost effective logistics aligned with Gati Shakti initiative is poised to be a game changer and we look forward to its unfolding in the near future.”