Category Archives: International

As part of its efforts to continue modernising and growing its fleet, DHL Express and Boeing has announced that DHL will add four B767-300 Boeing converted freighters (BCF). According to DHL, the move was a step towards modernising its long-haul intercontinental fleet in order to fly eco-friendlier and more cost-efficiently. Work on the conversions will start in the fourth quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. “We are excited to introduce additional B767 freighters to the DHL Express air network,” says, Geoff Kehr, Senior Vice President – Global Air Fleet Management, DHL Express. The 767-300BCF has virtually the same cargo capability as the 767-300F production freighter with approximately 50 tonnes structural payload at a range of approximately 5,556 km and 186,880 kg maximum take-off weight.

Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association in India (FFFAI) along with CONCOR and RZD Logistics (Russian Railway) has organised an interactive webinar to discuss the trade potential of containerised transportation over the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Calling INSTC an opportunity for regular movement to CIS countries, Shankar Shinde, Chairman Elect, FFFAI, says, “We have been continuously working on this route for development and found that this route would help the trade with less transit time and add upon alternate products such as agro commodity with good shelf life. This is also a good opportunity for NVOCCs, consolidators and multimodal transport operators to come on board in order to start their operations.” INSTC Agreement was signed between India, Iran and Russian Federation to facilitate movement of goods via Iran, Caspian Sea and Astrakhan to Russia and adjoining countries of the CIS region. The Agreement provides for a shorter route for trade to Iran, Russian Federation and beyond. Through this transportation route India’s exports can get a competitive advantage due to lower cost and less delivery time.

Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated the movement of essential commodities and other supplies for individual consumers and businesses across the world by operating more than 10,000 cargo flights to destinations across six continents between April and June 2020. The flights were a mix of scheduled, ad-hoc and charter operations. Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President – Cargo, Emirates, says, “Emirates SkyCargo has innovatively adapted our cargo operations and offerings over the last few months in line with rapidly evolving market demand. In keeping with our core value as a global facilitator of trade and economies, we have re-grown our network to over 100 destinations with robust flight frequencies to key production and consumer markets.”

To streamline their operations and enhance their future growth, Boeing has announced supply chain solutions through a number of orders and agreements in order to support international customers. These supply chain solutions will simplify customers’ asset and maintenance management, inventory and operating costs, while improving parts availability. The agreements for Boeing’s digital solutions will provide cost savings fleet-wide, enhance airline crew situational awareness and increase operational efficiency. “As airlines and operators continue to respond to the current challenges facing the global air travel industry, our partners are moving forward, integrating creative solutions to continue connecting people around the world,” says, Ted Colbert, President & CEO, Boeing Global Services.

CEVA Logistics has launched an all-in-one portal named myCEVA to enable shippers in managing their complete shipping journey online. The online tool provides a seamless customer experience by giving them greater control over every function and a larger range of options whatever the circumstances. The portal has been designed to give customers greater control over the booking process while simultaneously improving efficiency through greater process automation. Customers can instantly receive quotes, make bookings and track shipments in real time, which will enhance the customer experience.   After a successful pilot phase in the US in May 2020, myCEVA is working towards covering all transport modes in every region of the world and has been launched in a phased manner with FCL and LCL ocean freight customers using specific trade lanes from/to the US, China and India.

Saudia Cargo has operated more than 1500 flights since March 2020, when the COVID-19 restrictions came into effect. According to the carrier, 500 of these flights have been operated using passenger aircraft deployed for international air cargo. From March through June, Saudia Cargo has transported around 75,000 tons of vital shipments to the Kingdom including medical and PPE equipment as part of the Saudi health authorities’ efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Omar Hariri, CEO, Saudia Cargo, says, “We have created largest cargo air bridge to deliver vital goods and medical equipment to KSA during COVID-19 pandemic,” in adding, “The company has operated a combined fleet of freighter and passenger aircraft enhancing all operations related to the air transportation of medical equipment and medicines to the Kingdom in order to mitigate the economic and health impact of COVID-19.”

Mesa Air Group has announced to start providing air cargo services for DHL Express using Boeing 737-400F cargo aircraft. Under the agreement, Mesa will operate two cargo aircraft from DHL Express Americas global hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport for a five-year term. The company will lease the aircraft from DHL with the first scheduled to be in service this October. “We are very excited to enter the cargo market and diversify our business. Flying under contract on behalf of DHL is essentially the same business model Mesa has operated under for over 20 years,” said, Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Mesa Air Group. “Cargo transport plays a critical role in the health of communities and economies around the world. Mesa is well-suited for this new mission and this is just the beginning of what we believe will be a long and productive relationship with DHL.” “This new cargo operation opens new doors for Mesa,” added Brad Rich, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Mesa Air Group.

Adani Logistics has moved its first-ever containerised cargo export from India to Bangladesh utilising inland waterways and it has reached its destination Pangaon International Container Terminal, Dhaka on July 12, 2020. The success of landmark container export cargo consignment has provided importers and exporters of India and Bangladesh an alternative to roadways and railways. Currently, majority of the exports and imports through West Bengal region to Bangladesh is taking place through Petrapole (India) and Benapole (Bangladesh). In fact, Petrapole is one of the largest Land Customs Station (LCS) in Asia handling a trade of more than US$ 2.5 billion. “Since last year, our team is working on offering commercially viable logistics solutions using Inland Waterways. Previously, we have successfully completed the domestic containerised movement between Haldia – Patna on NW1 and Haldia – Guwahati on NW2 (using IBPR). The success of containerised movement from Haldia to Guwahati on NW2 (using IBPR) has generated keen interest with the importers/exporters of both India and Bangladesh to extend its usage for EXIM cargo movement. One vessel movement is equivalent to 64 or more trucks. Thus inland waterways provide a competitive alternative to current road based movement of goods through Petrapole ICP. Containerised movement of sponge iron is a safer alternative as compared to carrying the cargo in bulk/break bulk which has also been appreciated by industry.” says Anil Kishore Singh, CEO – Inland Waterways, Adani Logistics.

As part of its efforts to reduce waiting times at airports, Jan de Rijk Logistics, the road feeder firm, has signed up with Trucking CDM for to manage slot allocation planning mechanism between truckers and handlers. The industry is under pressure to reduce costs but also achieve faster transit times between European airports, because much of the trucking operation is spent waiting at airports. Stefan Pieters, Manager of Operations & Development, Jan de Rijk, says, “Our biggest challenge boils down to the waiting hours spent at cargo handling facilities, caused by lack of communication and transparency. As there is often no contractual relation between the trucker and the handler both parties operate on behalf of the airline but not directly connected to each other. If we could share data about when the freight is available, the status of vehicle combined shipment information we could communicate much better with the handler thus creating, insight and data sharing for all parties involved.” The Trucking CDM platform provides transparency, predictability and a slot allocation planning mechanism between truckers and handlers. It allows data sharing between the involved stakeholders in regard to the truck movement.

Embarking a ‘1 Million Kilos’ campaign, from July to the end of December, Qatar Airways Cargo will enable charities to use its services to transport humanitarian aid and medical supplies all over the world, free of charge. The airline is donating one million kilograms of freight to selected customers around the world to give to the charities of their choice. This will allow the movement of medical equipment, humanitarian relief and essential products to where they are most needed. “This action was triggered by the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic is a tragedy for millions of people, and we looked for ways how we, as an airline, could help those in the greatest difficulty. This solution – shipping one million kilos of cargo free of charge – is a firm commitment for QR Cargo. More than just words, we wanted to act and to adopt a comprehensive approach based on actions for the future,” said, Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer for cargo at Qatar Airways.