Category Archives: Technology

Hikvision announces technology integration with Irida Labs for manufacturing & logistics

Hikvision, an IoT solution provider with video as its core competency, announced a new technology partnership with Irida Labs, a vision AI solution provider from Europe, to integrate its IP cameras and HikCentral software with Irida Labs’ PerCV.ai Industry 4.0 Package. The integration provides intelligent vision AI solutions for manufacturing and logistics sectors to manage warehouse and plant in real time. Utilizing the Hikvision Intelligent Security API (ISAPI) protocol and Embedded Open Platform Program (HEOP), the integration allows the PerCV.ai algorithm to run inside Hikvision DeepInView camera series for edge processing. Operators can easily monitor manufacturing and logistics processes using PerCV.ai Industry 4.0 Package user interface. The combination of video, AI, and edge computing empowers real-time pallet and parcel monitoring, product inspection, forklift and truck monitoring, personal protective equipment (PPE) detection, and critical equipment interaction monitoring. The real-time AI-powered analytics also enables actionable business and process insights. “We are excited to join the Hikvision Technology Partnership Program (TPP). Now, our AI vision software PerCV.ai supports Hikvision DeepinView cameras and HikCentral software through this program,” says Vassilis Tsagaris, CEO at Irida Labs. “We would like to thank Hikvision for working closely and supporting our team during the last few months, making this integration truly added-value for our customers.” “The combination of the AI-enabling camera platform and the intelligent algorithm of PerCV.ai really makes a strong and flexible package for the users. With solutions like this, staff safety and warehouse processes are taken to a new level,” added Adler Wu, Global Technology Partner Alliance Manager at Hikvision.

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Cargolux launches online booking service

Cargolux Airlines has launched a new online booking portal as part of the freighter operator’s investment in its digital capabilities. The new portal enables customers to log on, request an instant spot quote according to personalised criteria, as well as having visibility of allocations, “thereby enabling for the selection and booking of the best option”, the company said. “The online portal offers transaction options for all customer profiles, from international groups to local independent forwarders,” Cargolux said in a release. Mathieu Weber, vice president digital sales & marketing, added: “With this new portal, Cargolux is moving closer to an omni-channel connectivity experience for customers. The portal offers tailored quoting and booking in a few clicks and we are confident that this handy and timely solution will be highly appreciated by our customers.”

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DP World launches Cargoes Customs for transparency and efficiency

Cargoes Customs provides an intelligence-enabled, unified customs operating model that optimises border management and revenue collection activities. The system empowers customs agencies to facilitate trade, secure global supply chains, and increase compliance. At the same time, it minimises revenue leakage for government agencies. The platform is built to assist global customs organisations in reforming and modernising processes by streamlining digital transformation through the latest technology and tools. The Cargoes Customs platform is based on the belief that with technology as a foundation, any customs organization can vastly improve its digital capabilities and better integrate with key agencies and other countries, while also satisfying any regional agreements. The system is further enhanced by its powerful risk engine which detects revenue leakages. This technology improves visibility and traceability, and is based on WCO best practices, thereby optimising the customs clearance process. As an intelligent risk engine, it helps enforce compliance and promotes seamless collaboration between authorities, government departments and stakeholders. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Trade is a key driver to help economies around the world to recover fairly and sustainably from the economic shock of the pandemic. At DP World, we are doing our part to make trade flow as smoothly and seamlessly as possible, and with Cargoes Customs we really help customs authorities around the world to become dramatically more efficient – now and for the long term. This new digital solution connects customs officials and traders through an easy-to-use interface and a suite of custom-built tools. We will continue to invest in our digital platforms to bring simplicity, transparency and efficiency to global trade – at customs, and beyond.”

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Matchlog raises $3mn to decarbonise the shipping industry

MatchLog, a digital first container logistics optimisation platform, has raised USD 3 million in its pre-series A round through Blue Ashva Capital, a leading Singapore and India-based VC, Rainmatter Climate, and Capital-A, a Bangalore based early-stage investor. The capital raised will be deployed to develop the tech platform further for AI and machine learning based pairing of cargo across India, grow the multi-modal share in addition to road transport and expand its footprint to more ports in India and around the world. MatchLog is the first company in India that offers at scale the ability to turnaround a container from an import to export cycle, thereby eliminating unnecessary empty runs to and from the container yards. MatchLog’s work results in significant fuel savings and directly contribute to the decarbonisation goals of the shipping industry. In 2021 alone, MatchLog saved 1 m + kgs of carbon emission through its efforts. MatchLog has also been able to develop strategic inroads with leading custom house agents, freight forwarders and transporters that ensures higher adaptability and acceptance by the trade at large.

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Air France KLM Martinair Cargo & Envirotainer collaborates on sustainability

Envirotainer and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo), the leading airline in pharmaceutical logistics, announced their collaboration on sustainability. Envirotainer and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo each have a strong focus on sustainability and are pursuing multiple initiatives with a view to achieving more sustainable operations. Being long-term close partners, both organisations sought to strengthen the initiatives by collaboration. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has approved the newly introduced Envirotainer Releye® container and is in the process of implementing it in its booking system as part of its product portfolio. The Releye provides outstanding environmental performance, delivering up to 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to available passive solutions, based on life-cycle analysis. Envirotainer will reduce the impact of the use of its containers on the environment by investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF offers a cleaner alternative for conventional jet fuel. SAF is produced from sustainable feedstock, such as cooking oil, animal waste or solid waste from homes and businesses. It reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85%, when compared to conventional jet fuel. The reduction occurs throughout the entire lifecycle of producing and using sustainable aviation fuel compared to that of fossil fuel.

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Indian EV Startup EVage raises $28mn from RedBlue Capital

Indian startup EVage has raised $28 million from a US-based venture capital firm RedBlue Capital. The startup which develops electric delivery vans for e-commerce and logistics companies including Amazon is the first startup to create an electric van in India from the ground up. The Indian EV market has been on a shooting stage, Amazon aims to have 10,000 electric vehicles for deliveries by 2025 while Walmart’s Flipkart aims to have 25,000 EVs by 2030. “The electric vehicle market in India will boom with this shift in the movement of goods, and electrifying this segment will be a big opportunity. Compared with the West, India, and markets like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America have unique demands in terms of the price and capacity of the vehicle, road conditions and weather.” said Olaf Sakkers, General Partner, RedBlue Capital. Sakkers also added that one can see EVage as more of Rivian and Arrival for developing markets.

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ECS Group’s Cargo Digital Factory and Wiremind cargo launch CargoTech

ECS Group’s Cargo Digital Factory and Wiremind Cargo are coordinating their digital expertise under a new technology-focused and autonomous company:CargoTech. With the launch of CargoTech, ECS Group’s inhouse solution developer, Cargo Digital Factory, and the French software and data-science company, Wiremind Cargo will focus their efforts on intelligently digitalising the air cargo industry. CargoTech also supports one of the four pillars of ECS Group’s new Augmented GSA concept, comprising Commercial, Technology, Sustainability, and New Abilities. Based in Paris, France, Cargo Digital Factory and Wiremind’s newly established dedicated cargo business unit will collaborate to digitalise as many air cargo processes as possible. Existing Cargo Digital Factory products such as its APOLLO BI & Reporting System, PATHFINDER Track & Trace solution, and QUANTUM pricing support system, and Wiremind Cargo’s shipment volume evaluation & flight planning system SKYPALLET, form the basis of CargoTech’s product portfolio. The two divisions will jointly innovate and design additional digital solutions to expand the standard product portfolio, as well as tailor individual products for all actors of the cargo supply chain: airlines, GHAs, GSAs, and freight forwarders. Cedric Millet, ECS Group Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, explains. “Under the CargoTech umbrella, we will enhance and develop digital products both for the benefit of our existing ECS Group customers, as well as for all other airlines in the world. Our solutions are modular, and customers can subscribe to one or several products as required.” “Our intensified collaboration with Cargo Digital Factory will enable us to deliver more quickly on our vision of becoming a leading provider of end-to-end software solutions to the air cargo market,” Nathanaël de Tarade, board member at Wiremind and CEO of Wiremind Cargo, says. “Not …

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Ethiopian Cargo and logistics services avails online air cargo pooking platform

Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, has launched a new feature that enables customers to make online reservations for their cargo. The platform enables customers check flight schedules, space availability, loadability of freight and make real-time booking of their shipment in single and convenient way on cargobooking.ethiopianairlines.com. Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services is rolling out the online booking subsequent to its introduction of the mobile application to heighten its customer’s experience. The Mobile App which is available for Android and IOS, brings convenience to customers with a real-time update through a range of self-service features. On the Mobile App, customers can check flight schedule, submit enquiry, receive notifications when the shipment is ready, book charter flights and track shipments. Ethiopian Airlines GCEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, said “We are pleased to offer our customers with convenience in their experience of air cargo booking. We are committed to start walking the long walk of taking out paper from entire air cargo process by digitalizing the logistics value chain. Taking out paper from logistics value chain is not only convenient and hassle free service for customers but also it delivers more efficient operational excellence and achieves long term sustainability goals. Our online booking platform will be crucial in empowering direct cargo customers and forwarders with reliable access to our cargo capacity inventory. Besides, our cargo division has proved to the world that it is a genuine partner in times of dire need by delivering lifesaving PPE’s (personal Protective Equipment) and hundreds of millions various vaccines to all major continents of the world.” Ethiopian provides its customers with fully automated cargo service using the latest technologies for data, information and market intelligence with 100% e-AWB from …

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project44 raises $420mn from Thoma Bravo, Goldman and TPG

Supply chain visibility platform project44 received an investment totaling $420 million from a syndicate led by Thoma Bravo, TPG and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. project44 had raised $202 million equity in May 2021 (at an approximate valuation of $1.2 billion), and has an annual run rate of $100+ million, 1,000+ team members, 1,000+ customers, and 1+ billion packages tracked annually. “Today, project44 is helping companies solve supply chain challenges ranging from inflationary pressure and lockdowns to unpredictable weather and bottlenecks at ports,” says Jett McCandless, Founder & CEO, project44. “Our growth over the past year speaks to these macroeconomic tailwinds and the competitive edge we can provide to our customers. With ongoing support from our investors, we can offer even more value to our customers and solidify our position as the global network that powers the future of the supply chain.”

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ShipNext Solutions raises INR 4.5 cr in pre-series A round

India’s first end-to-end online logistics platform in the long haul segment, ShipNext Solutions, has raised INR 4.5 Crores in its pre-series A round. Kerala-based Group Meeran, the promoters of the Eastern Group of Companies, led the round. ShipNext’s Machine Learning (ML)-based AI apps called ‘WeTruck’ and ‘WeTruck Partner’ automate the entire booking process for customers and operations for the service provider, ensuring seamless and transparent communication and service delivery. This tech-enabled match-making is ShipNext’s key focus area which leverages a state-of-the-art ML and AI-based system to assist customers with predictive modeling. From order placement to proof-of-delivery (POD) verification, invoicing, generating lorry receipt and real-time payments, WeTruck is the first app to offer the complete online procedure in the long haul segment. Clive Jose, Founder, and CEO, ShipNext Solutions, said, “At ShipNext, technology is central to how we leverage data to balance demand and supply. In logistics, often, customers find it challenging to obtain the correct pricing for their shipment and have apprehensions regarding multiple touchpoints and lack of transparency. To alleviate these concerns, we have set up a business model and a machine learning-based app that will offer the highest level of transparency to our customers and fleet owners. To simplify and minimize the learning curve on our app, we have introduced a chat-based model similar to WhatsApp that most of our users are familiar with and can easily understand. This investment is an endorsement in ShipNext’s platform as well as our vision to empower customers and partners with the only end-to-end paperless logistics app that ensures a completely online model of business.”

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