Category Archives: International

Lufthansa Cargo, supported by Miebach Consulting, is modernising the infrastructure for its road feeder services (RFS) at its Frankfurt hub. On behalf of the carrier, two mechanical companies — Vollert Anlagenbau and Körber — will carry out the modernisation of the RFS high-rack storage system, including its mechanical, control and IT features. Completion of the RFS stacker conversion is planned for early summer 2023. The complete modernisation of the Lufthansa Cargo Center is expected to be finished in 2029. Harald Gloy, chief operations officer and chief human resources officer at Lufthansa Cargo, commented: “The modernisation of the RFS stacker is another important component of the extensive infrastructure program for the logistics center at the Frankfurt site. In the future, our RFS customers will benefit from shorter turnaround times and more efficient handling of transports by truck. With the help of a modern IT environment, we are ensuring the adaptability of the high-rack storage system with regard to upcoming technological developments.”

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) recorded their highest discharge levels of bulk cargo recently, when a shipment of gypsum consigned to Insee Cement was unloaded at a rate of 24,000 Metric tons per day by port operations. Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, Director Procurement & Logistics of Insee Cement says this was an extraordinary achievement for a Sri Lankan port in terms of speed and efficiency. “As the No. 1 cement manufacturing company in Sri Lanka, we import raw materials in large vessels. But once these vessels arrive in the country, it is up to port operations, in this case HIPG and HIPS, to discharge the vessels quickly. Quicker the cargo is discharged, the more benefit not only to us but also the country because for each day the vessel remains in port we pay vast amounts in detention and demurrage —something to the tune of US $ 75,000. Therefore, when we are able to discharge two-and-a-half days earlier like we did this time, the cost saving is significant. Yes, it is an advantage for our company, but it is also a considerable saving in foreign exchange for the country.”

AVEVA offers a complete suite of technology solutions that enable shipyards become more agile, while shipping lines can better share and analyse data from ship to shore, explains Herve Lours, Vice President – Marine, AVEVA. It is a $1.6 billion software company listed on the London Stock Exchange. It’s a leader in industrial software business, primarily focusing on gas, power and marine. AVEVA is also one of the largest software companies in the maritime sector and has some unique capabilities – this is the only software supplier in the maritime world providing a complete software suite for the entire lifecycle, starting from engineering design and moving down to operations of the shipyard and ships as well. Talking about the lifecycle, engineering and design, AVEVA is a leader in this area, with an approximate 60% market share in engineering and design software, which means we are active in most of the important shipyards. AVEVA is also the leader in the shipping sector, providing solutions to ship owners, system integrators and more than 3000 ships are using AVEVA software on-board.

Forwarder charter operations are expected to continue to the main airport hubs as part of efforts to provide service stability. Speaking at the Takeoff Cargo event, which is taking place this week, industry leaders discussed the changing air cargo market. In one discussion moderated by Steven Polmans, chairman of TIACA, Joachim von Winning, executive director of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt at Frankfurt Airport, said that forwarders had launched freighter charter services to the main hubs in response to the loss of passenger operations. While he expects longhaul bellyhold services to return and therefore volumes to increase at all airports, rather than just at big cargo hubs, he said that forwarders may well wish to continue to operate charter operations to the main hubs.

Business-class airline La Compagnie has appointed Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) as its cargo handler as it enters the air cargo market. The airline has awarded WFS a three-year contract to handle cargo onboard its Airbus A321LR services from Paris Orly to New York’s Newark International Airport, which will increase from the current four flights a week to seven in September. WFS already provides ground handling services to La Compagnie in Newark for its passenger and ramp services to Paris Orly and Nice. Depending on the number of passengers, each flight is expected to carry up to 3.5 tonnes. Damien Paries, vice president ground operations, La Compagnie-Dreamjet, said: “WFS is the perfect partner to support the launch of our first-ever freight service. We are confident they will provide the same high-quality experience for our cargo customers as our passengers enjoy when they choose La Compagnie.”

Cathay Pacific Cargo is introducing Ultra Track, its multi-dimensional tracking product, to its network, with a phased introduction at 29 ports across the globe. Cathay Pacific Cargo’s Ultra Track uses the Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)TM Network, Tags and Readers. These data-loggers and transmitters offer visibility to Cathay Pacific Cargo customers who can now monitor shipments in near real-time through the airport-to-airport leg of the air-cargo journey. This is the first Cathay Pacific IoT (internet of things) application that enables remote connection to shipments. Ultra Track is suitable for pharmaceutical, perishable and other vulnerable shipments. The loggers record and transmit data to Bluetooth readers in the cargo terminal and on the airside ramp area. Data includes GPS location and temperature – and depending on the type of shipment, this can be extended to include light, humidity (for example, for cut-flower shipments) and vibration, which is important for sensitive specialist cargo such as stepper machines, the printing presses for microchips.

Russian freighter operator Volga-Dnepr Airlines, in partnership with logistics provider Geodis, has transported a large custom-built compressor from Zurich, Switzerland to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.The carrier said that the special, one-of-a-kind cargo — measuring 15.65 m x 4.40 m x 3.85 m and weighing 100 tonnes — was one of the largest out-of-gauge shipments ever carried on one of its An-124-150 aircraft. Volga-Dnepr’s operational base in Dubai coordinated each step of the process, supported by load planners and a commercial team. Artemiy Ivanovskiy, regional manager, India, Middle East and Africa, at Volga-Dnepr Airlines, commented: “With strict delivery deadlines from the onset we were battling with many challenges from production, assembly, operations handling and other facets. Thanks to clear and straightforward communication with all the stakeholders, we were able to resolve them and come up with a comprehensive action plan to accomplish this complex transportation, meeting [our] customer’s requirements and getting positive feedback in the end.”

UK-based start-up carrier Hans Airways has selected Air Logistics Group as its general sales and service agent (GSSA) for cargo sales across its network. The exclusive GSSA agreement, effective from August 1, will see the GSSA providing the carrier with full cargo sales, marketing, online booking and customer service support across its network. Stephen Dawkins, chief executive at Air Logistics Group, commented: “Hans Airways is an exciting new face in the airline industry and will be operating on a vital trade route between the UK and India. We are confident that their new service from the UK to India is just the start, and that we can build the cargo business across the Hans Airways network as it expands.” Ian Davies, chief operating officer at Hans Airways, added: “In Air Logistics Group, we are confident that we have chosen a partner capable of providing the selling expertise, fast response times and service levels and that the freight community will expect from [us]. With experienced staff, and the network to provide effective coverage of our planned routes, Air Logistics Group is well-positioned to be the face of the Hans Airways cargo team.”

The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, launched its Carrier Haulage service from Kolkata to Biratnagar via road, where the first shipment was successfully transported on July 6th 2021. With this service, the Group is able to provide a seamless, one-stop solution to its customers for moving their cargo from Kolkata to Biratnagar. Since 2017, the CMA CGM Group has been successfully operating its Rail Service to ICD Birgunj via Kolkata & Visakhapatnam. With the launch of the new Carrier Haulage Service, Biratnagar is the second key location in Nepal being covered by CMA CGM global network. CMA CGM connects Nepal with its global maritime service via its hub ports in Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang which is connected to Kolkata and Visakhapatnam via dedicated feeder services.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended the exemption allowing airlines to carry cargo in the cabin of aircraft. The exemption had been due to expire on July 10, but Airlines for America and others petitioned the administration to extend the exemption for another year. They argued that cargo capacity was still constrained due to fewer passenger flights and that allowing flight to carry cargo in the cabin would help alleviate supply chain constraints. In the end, the FAA agreed the exemption until the end of the year. “The agency determined that airfreight capacity has not yet been fully restored to all communities, especially those which are dependent on passenger airplanes for such service,” the FAA said. “The FAA therefore finds that a short-term extension of this exemption will be in the public interest by supporting the continuity of the carriage of airfreight.”