Category Archives: International

DHL Global Forwarding maintained its position as the leading airfreight forwarder last year despite volumes dropping, while Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) looks set to nab the top spot in the coming years and DSV Panalpina continues its rapid rise up. The latest annual market figures from consultant Armstrong & Associates highlight the level of volatility registered in the air cargo market last year, with dramatic variances in performance. The overall decline in volumes for the top 25 players reflects the Covid-19 outbreak that saw much of the world’s airlines ground their fleets as passenger travel ground to a halt and lockdowns constrained consumer spending. For market leader DHL Global Forwarding, like many of its peers, 2020 was a tough year in terms of air volumes as a result of the pandemic, although it was a different story for revenues and profits. The Bonn-headquartered company saw its airfreight volumes decline by 12.1% year on year to 1.7m tonnes.

The global Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of refrigerated container logistics to keep vital supplies of food and medicines, including vaccines, flowing around the world as nations locked down. While temperature-controlled goods have indeed kept flowing, the pandemic triggered an ongoing cascade of disruptions to the bigger container shipping system that so many perishable producers, exporters, importers and supply chains now rely on. That includes delayed, diverted and rolled shipments, port congestion, landside logjams and shortages and displacement of empty reefer containers due to a clogged global maritime transport pipeline. Real-time visibility and remote control are key drivers for today’s accelerated digitalisation in reefer container operations and the broader cold chain, not only because of the huge global vaccine distribution challenge but perhaps even more so to manage supply chain delays and disruptions impacting cross-border flows of food and other perishables.

India had been adversely hit by the second wave of the covid pandemic and there has been severe shortage of equipment, beds, healthcare workers, vaccines, oxygen and drugs. Air Logistics Group has contributed to international efforts towards Covid relief by donating medical grade 5 litre Oxygen concentrators to help the Covid patients in India. These concentrators were imported by Air Logistics Group (India) from the UK through its East Midlands office during the height of the second wave in New Delhi to support the needy during these crisis. This is not the first time Air Logistics Group (India) has donated medical equipment. Last year prior to the pandemic they also donated Dialysis machines to serve society . “Every drop – small or big counts in such crucial times when people are struggling for survival”, remarked Vikramjit Singh Ahluwalia, MD in India, following the donation.

CEVA Logistics is offering its worldwide Ground & Rail customers and carrier network improved, real-time visibility through a new strategic alliance announced today with project44, a leading provider of supply chain visibility solutions. The advanced track and trace services will be rolled out globally over the next year. The visibility solutions will cover all of CEVA’s global ground and rail operations, spanning from domestic distribution networks to cross-border, multi-modal solutions and from B2B inbound to manufacturing environments to B2C home deliveries. CEVA’s existing visibility tools, including driver apps, GPS devices and web portals, will be combined with the new solution to create an overall, expanded visibility platform.

Global logistics company DP World welcomes a new weekly India South Gulf (ISG) Service at its Port Terminals in Chennai and Cochin. The new service is jointly operated by a global shipping line – Evergreen Line, and feeder operators – Feedertech and Express Feeders. The New weekly Service will directly connect DP World operated Chennai Container Terminal (CCT) and International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Cochin with the Middle East Region. The service commenced with the call of vessel “MV EVER CHANT” operated by Evergreen Line on 2nd June 2021 at DP World Port Terminal Chennai and on 8th June 2021 at DP World Port Terminal Cochin. “MV Hansa Rotenburg” operated by Feedertech was the 2nd vessel deployed on this service which called CCT on 14th June 2021. The service Port rotation is Chennai – Colombo – Cochin – Jebel Ali – Cochin – Colombo – Chennai.

CargoAir has commenced operations with its first B737-800SF freighter, which was recently converted by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc (AEI). The aircraft, which is registered in Bulgaria, will support a large European integrator on an upgraded existing route out of Cologne, Germany. With the new addition, CargoAir has also introduced a new aircraft livery. The converted B737-800SF offers a main deck payload of up to 52,700lbs (23,904kg) and incorporates 11 full height 88in x 125in container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH. The conversion also includes an 86in x 137in main cargo door. The design allows for containers to be loaded into the aircraft 16.5in aft of the forward door jamb, ensuring ground operators have sufficient manoeuvring room and minimise potential for door and aircraft strikes. It also includes a flexible Ancra cargo loading system, five supernumerary seats, a galley and full lavatory.

iAero Airways 737 Fleet US aircraft charter airline iAero Airways, part of the iAero Group aviation investment platform, has expanded its service to operate six DHL freighters. The latest aircraft to be added, a Boeing 737-800F, will operate on an ACMI basis by iAero Airways, while the other five existing aircraft are operated on a CM basis. Robert Caputo, chief executive of iAero Group, commented: “We are honored to serve such an iconic global logistics brand with our safe and reliable cargo services. “And we look forward to operating additional aircraft for DHL to help them expand their global services.”

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is expanding its air cargo facility by 136 acres and will almost tripple its airfreight warehousing space. To support its expansion and cargo handling capabilities, PHL has formed a partnership with Aviation Facilities Company (AFCO) and has also become a member of TIACA. PHL’s expansion plan includes the construction of cargo buildings totaling more than 1m sq ft, bringing its cargo building coverage to 1.4m sq ft. Stephanie Wear, director of air service development and cargo services at PHL, commented: “We have a huge opportunity to become one of the most successful cargo airports on the East Coast, focusing on speed, efficiency and quality. Our ability to attract and collaborate closely with world-class partners is a major strength of this programme.” Chellie Cameron, chief executive of PHL, added: “This initiative will have a massive economic impact on the region and cement Philadelphia’s status as an intermodal logistics hub. We are thrilled to begin this work in partnership with our interdisciplinary partners to drive both immediate and long-term growth.”

Finnair Cargo is now offering e-quotes and e-bookings for its airfreight capacity to forwarders through the CargoAi online platform. The largest air cargo carrier in the Nordic and Baltic region, Finnair Cargo said the move will “guarantee visibility” and is in line with its sales digitalisation strategy. Head of revenue and pricing Karri Kauppi said: “With CargoAi, we have been moving fast with the integration and we are very happy to be able to provide this service to our customers. We speak the same language and the cargo challenges we face are fully understood and integrated into the tool.” CargoAir chief executive, Matthieu Petot, added: “We’re very proud to partner with Finnair Cargo, which is a pioneering cargo carrier in the field of digitalisation and was one of the first to put APIs in place. The airline’s network and its product expertise fully meet the needs of our forwarder clients.”

Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo have announced the initial list of planned routes for the Boeing 767-300ER freighters scheduled to enter service this fall. Air Canada is in the process of fully converting several of its Boeing 767 aircraft into dedicated freighters in order to fully participate in global cargo commercial opportunities. “These freighters will provide long-term stability and growth for our cargo customers, in particular the freight forwarding community who require reliable air freight capacity year-round. They will allow us to continue building on the success of our cargo-only flights and are an important part of our future growth. I am excited to have these aircraft enter service, a milestone for Air Canada Cargo that also opens up a world of opportunities for us and our customers,” said Jason Berry, vice president, Cargo at Air Canada.