DHL Express and Japan Airlines (JAL) have signed a long-term contract to utilise JAL’S Boeing 767-300 freighters. The companies that they aim to use the new partnership to leverage “growing customer demand in the expanding international express and e-commerce shipping market in the East Asia region”. JAL’s partnership with DHL will support previously announced plans to connect Japan, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei using Boeing 767-300ER freighters. Earlier this month, JAL said it would launch freighter operations on February 19. It has already taken delivery of one 767-300ER freighter converted from its passenger fleet, and is due to add a further two 767-300 freighter conversions. The airline first announced it would return to the freighter market after an absence of 13 years in May. In response to the growth of cross-border express shipments, DHL has strengthened its infrastructure network, including the recent inauguration of its expanded Central Asia Hub, its largest hub facility in Asia Pacific. The companies said DHL will further strengthen its intra-East Asia network using the routes which JAL will inaugurate in February.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has been honoured with prestigious accolades at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles. The airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) has secured recognition as one of the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Airports’ and has been awarded the coveted ‘World Special Prize for an Interior 2023.’ The World Judges Panel for the Prix Versailles 2023, chaired by Elie Saab (renowned fashion designer), revealed the latest architectural projects to win a World Title. BLR Airport is the only Indian airport to receive this esteemed recognition, highlighting the airport’s commitment to exceptional design and architecture on a global scale. This remarkable achievement positions BLR Airport amongst the top airports globally. The Prix Versailles, established in 2015, focuses on “intelligent sustainability” as a cultural driver, acknowledging innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and values of social interaction. T2, also known as the “Terminal in a Garden,” was inaugurated on November 11, 2022. Encompassing 255,661 square meters, the terminal is built upon four foundational pillars: technological leadership, a terminal in a garden, environmental and ecological stewardship, and a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and culture. Embraced in engineered bamboo, the terminal’s interiors offer a contemporary yet classic ambiance. The terminal also features a spacious indoor garden with rammed-earth walls and waterfalls, as well as hanging planted bells, adding to the terminal’s unique aesthetic. Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Ltd, said, “The nomination of Terminal 2 for the 2023 Prix Versailles Award is a moment of immense pride, and we are pleased to see the terminal receiving the recognition it deserves. T2, with its unique blend of art and technology, serves as a distinctive gateway, leaving a lasting …

Blue Dart Express has announced the “Merry Express” offer ahead of the end-of-the-year festivities. This offer is valid till January 15th, 2024. A discounted rate can be availed on all Merry Express gift shipments for both domestic and international destinations, providing customers with a comprehensive solution for all their logistics needs. While there is a flat 40% off on domestic shipments between 2 -10 kgs, and up to a 50% discount on international shipments on specific weights in the range of 3 -25 kgs across India. This offer is applicable for both domestic priority and international shipments, with conditions applied.

Australian airline Qantas has taken delivery of its second A330-200P2F (passenger to freighter) aircraft from EFW.The aircraft was converted from Qantas’ passenger fleet, said the German conversion company in a LinkedIn post on December 20, The A330-200P2F is going to serve Qantas Freight’s international network and can be operated for air cargo on longer routes. The conversion freighter is capable to holding up to 23 containers in the maindeck and can load XXL pallets of over 11 tonnes,” said EFW, a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering. Earlier this year Qantas received its first A330-200P2F, also converted from the airline’s own passenger stock.

American footwear giant Sketchers has opened its national distribution centre spanning over 6,00,000 sq ft at Lodha Industrial and Logistics Park at Palava township in Kalyan. The state-of-the-art facility located close to Taloja MIDC is designed to streamline supply chain operations facilitating Skechers’ expansion of its footprint in the Indian market and enabling shipping of up to 60,000 units per day. Lodha group said this is the first warehouse building in western India to feature Free Movement (FM1) super flat flooring which enables easy transportation of shipments and has been designed to be an IGBC Platinum pre-certified building. This is the first phase of a strategic partnership to develop a 1.1 million sq ft facility in Palava township developed by the Lodha group.

Allcargo Logistics Limited Board and Allcargo Gati Limited board have approved the composite scheme of arrangement for restructuring of businesses under Allcargo Limited and Allcargo Gati Limited (Formerly Gati Limited). As per the scheme, International Supply Chain (ISC) business will be demerged into a separate entity: Allcargo ECU Limited. This would include the India part of International Supply Chain business along with the international subsidiaries held under the ECU Worldwide NV. Express business and Contract Logistics business would come under the resulting entity Allcargo Logistics (post ISC demerger) which will benefit from combined synergies and the shareholders of Allcargo and Allcargo Gati will get direct shareholding eliminating inefficient complex corporate structure. As per the approved swap ratio, based on the recommendations of the independent valuers, shareholders of Allcargo Gati will get 63 shares in the resulting Allcargo Logistics entity (post ISC demerger) for every 10 shares held in Allcargo Gati. Shareholders of Allcargo will get 1:1 shares in the demerged Allcargo ECU Limited and continue to hold their shares in Allcargo Logistics Limited, which will now be the resulting entity holding Express and Contract Logistics business directly. This takes into account 3:1 bonus shares approved by shareholders for Allcargo Logistics recently.

Ethiopian Airlines has secured a $450m loan agreement that it will partly use to finance the purchase of two of its previously announced Boeing 777 freighters. The loan will also finance three Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft. The airline said that “delivery of all the aircraft will be completed in the US state of Washington in December” but it did not specify when the freighters would join its fleet. The loan will be secured against the value of the five planes and has been arranged exclusively by Citi’s Corporate Banking and Export Agency and Finance teams. It is guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). Ethiopian took delivery of its 10th 777Flast month, for operation by Ethiopian Cargo. The aircraft is part of an order for five 777Fsmade by Ethiopian in May 2022. The B777 freighter can carry up to 107 tonnes of cargo with a maximum range of 9,200 km.

Cathay Cargo has announced the selection of the next-generation Airbus A350F freighter to meet its future fleet requirements. Cathay has placed an initial firm order with Airbus for six aircraft and has secured the right to acquire 20 more aircraft. This order for state-of-the-art aircraft to be delivered commencing from 2027 will help further strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the world’s number one air cargo hub, providing even greater cargo connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said, “As we move into 2024, our rebuild journey is gaining momentum. This order marks another major component in our investment for the future. It reflects Cathay’s confidence in the Hong Kong hub as we look ahead to the opportunities provided by the Three-Runway System. “These highly fuel-efficient, next-generation freighters will provide important additional cargo capacity, expand our global network and contribute to our sustainability leadership goals.” *******

As per the recent ‘India Warehousing Market Report – 2023’ by Knight Frank, top 8 markets in India registered a historic high in warehousing demand space, reaching 51.3 million square feet (msf), in the financial year 2022-23 (April 2022 – March 2023). The report also states that this growth is driven by a surge in activities from the third-party logistics (3PL), manufacturing, and retail sectors. The 3PL sector has seen the highest rise in demand at 34% compared to the previous year, and have emerged as the linchpin of the logistics and warehousing industry in India. The Knight Frank report attributes their success to their ability to adapt to industry best practices and processes, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. The 3PL service providers have also played a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by the warehousing sector, such as the lack of modern facilities, infrastructure bottlenecks, and the need for advanced technology adoption. Their expertise and investments have elevated industry standards, ensuring that warehousing facilities in India are increasingly aligned with global benchmarks. *****

D B Schenker India has signed an MoU with Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) to collaborate for EXIM and domestic business with a strong emphasis on sustainability. CONCOR is a prominent logistics service provider in India, with pan India presence at 64 container terminals. The MoU was signed on 19th December 2023 in New Delhi, India, in the presence of Mr. Sanjay Swarup, CMD of CONCOR, Ms. Kinjal Pande, CEO of DB Schenker (India and Indian Subcontinent), along with senior officials from CONCOR and DB Schenker. This MoU underscores the commitment of both organizations to contribute to sustainable supply chain practices and domestic multimodal solutions in the logistics industry. Kinjal Pande, Chief Executive Officer – DB Schenker, Cluster India and Indian Subcontinent, remarked, “This strategic collaboration marks an important milestone in our commitment to provide enhanced sustainable products to our customers. Road continues to be the dominant mode of transport in India and through this strategic partnership for Rail Freight, we want to significantly change the trend towards a low carbon future.”