Teleport, the logistics venture of AirAsia Digital has completed the accelerated rollout of its delivery services in 70 cities across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines over the last 30 days. Businesses in any of these 70 cities can now partner with Teleport to have items instantly delivered to their customers within one hour. Teleport can deliver almost anything, from food, groceries, documents, flowers and even laundry! Pete Chareonwongsak, CEO, Teleport says, “Our mission is to make delivery simple, fast and affordable for everyone. With a one hour delivery promise, we hope that all local merchants and businesses will benefit. Soon, businesses can experience 24 hour express deliveries between cities as well as cross-border delivered to you by Teleport. The goal is by next year, with a click of a button, you can send almost anything instantly to anywhere AirAsia flies to.” In Malaysia, Teleport is now present in Klang Valley, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Labuan, Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Alor Setar, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bahru, Langkawi, Penang and Melaka.

Shipsy has raised US$ 6 million in Series A funding in a round led by Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, a rapid scale-up program for start-ups in India and Southeast Asia, and existing investor, the publicly-listed Indian online classifieds company Info Edge. “The platform helps shippers reduce freight costs by automating and digitizing freight negotiations, reducing incidental charges, significantly improving shipping turnaround time and minimising working capital loss for shippers through advanced machine learning models,” explains Soham Chokshi, Co-founder and CEO of Shipsy. “Owing to a substantial increase in the demand for our solution, it was important to leverage the momentum and look out for global investment partners in our next leg of our journey. The money raised will help fuel our growth and enable us to become a market leader, allowing us to continue our aggressive geographical expansion, besides investing in product innovation to keep us ahead of the curve. While we have run our venture profitably, it was critical for us to partner with like-minded global investors in our journey as we venture into larger markets”, he adds. The approach is to create a strong SaaS workflow management platform that allows network participants to collaborate and work together, reducing process bottlenecks, enhancing efficiency and bringing transparency. Shipsy boasts of processing 10% of India’s trade as well as having the biggest 3PL company, the largest exporter and retailer along with the largest QSR chain amongst their clientele. More than 120 enterprises, including 5 of the top 10 exporters of India are among Shipsy’s clients today. Strong word-of-mouth and referrals from the top names have aided the multifold growth over the last 1 year. As for the business, revenues have grown …

Recording a 26-months high in cargo tonnage, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport/ KIAB) has processed 34,339 Metric Tonnes of cargo in October 2020. The Airport has witnessed a highest-ever domestic outbound tonnage of 8,117 MT in October, largely driven by e-commerce shipments. Perishable commodities, which have been the major growth driver for BLR Airport in FY 2020-21, continued to be the top international commodity, accounting for 12 per cent of total exports in October. Doha emerged as the top destination in October 2020, with 1,095 MT. After becoming the first airport in India to record positive growth in September 2020, the trend continued in October 2020 as well, registering a 0.1 % increase against October 2019. The record single-day Air Traffic Movement (ATM) was 52 ATMs on October 22, with the day witnessing a volume of 1,359 MT of Cargo.

Chapman Freeborn has successfully handled an unusual heavy and outsize cargo operation in Australia. The cargo was manufactured in Germany and sent to Australia on an expedited basis due to the high value and importance of the consignment. The shipment, weighing 92 tonnes in total, consisted of exceptionally large pieces that were 15 metres in length and weighed 17 tonnes each. Because of the over-dimensional length of the cargo, a nose loader was required and a full Boeing 747-400 freighter was used for transportation. Before acceptance onto the aircraft, the cargo was load planned for maximum centre of gravity flight efficiency with both the main and lower decks being used. The cargo itself was restrained by placing high quantity straps into the crates and directly over the cargo to achieve the load plan requirements. To ensure the smooth and quick operation, external equipment comprising two main deck loaders and two cranes was used to load and offload the cargo and the visitor permits were arranged for the trucks to receive the cargo direct on the apron. The consignment bypassed the terminal in Australia by exiting the airport through the emergency access gate and it was organised that the Customs Authority would clear the consignment electronically.

While announcing the revised outlook for airline industry performance in 2020 and 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) states, operational parameters for cargo are performing significantly better than for passenger but are still depressed compared to 2019. Uplift is expected to be 54.2 million tonnes in 2019, down from 61.3 million tonnes in 2019. Cargo revenues are bucking the trend, increasing to $117.7 billion in 2020 from $102.4 billion in 2019. A 45 per cent fall in overall capacity, driven largely by the precipitous fall in passenger demand which took out critical belly capacity for cargo (-24 per cent), pushed yields up by 30 per cent in 2020. In 2019 cargo accounted for 12% of revenues and that is expected to grow to 36% in 2020. “Cargo is performing better than the passenger business. It could not, however, make up for the fall in passenger revenue. But it has become a significantly larger part of airline revenues and cargo revenues are making it possible for airlines to sustain their skeleton international networks,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO. IATA. The cargo side of the business is expected to continue with strong performance. Improved business confidence and the important role that air cargo should play in vaccine distribution is expected to see cargo volumes grow to 61.2 million tonnes (up from 54.2 million tonnes in 2020 and essentially matching the 61.3 million tonnes carried in 2019). A continued capacity crunch due to the slow reintroduction of belly capacity from passenger services combined with a higher proportion of time and temperature sensitive cargo (vaccines) will see a further 5 per cent increase in yields. This will contribute to strong …

With a primary focus on BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India & Nepal), V-Trans India has announced the commencement of its operations in SAARC countries on its 62nd foundation day. Initially, the service will primarily be focused on surface movement and will soon be covered with express and multimodal. On this M. K. Shah, MD, V-Trans says “This is one more milestone in our journey to become one of the most reliable and trusted players in the logistics business. The starting of our operations to SAARC countries is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our company. We have been able to successfully manage the current scenario and looking forward to many more accomplishments in the near future. While the present times are challenging and tough, our team has gone all out and brought the best possible results, which are fully supported and integrated with the advanced technology and a collaborative approach.” One of the highlights for the company has been the successful management of the impact of the COVID pandemic. The company adapted quickly to the situation, digitised the processes, enabled smooth flexi working, and most importantly modified the decision-making process thus leveraging maximum to its advantage. It has undertaken several initiatives in the last couple of months towards the aim of achieving service excellence. The objective has been to ensure smooth conduct of its operations and maintaining high-quality standards in terms of delivery.

CBIC has recently issued revised policy and guidelines for setting up of new Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Air Freight Stations (AFSs). Sharing his views on the policy, Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers, says, “The idea behind the revised guidelines for setting up of ICDs, CFSs and AFSs must be for all the good reasons, but, has no relevance as AFSs are still non-operational despite the fact that the policy was announced way back in 2014. The purpose of AFS was to increase air cargo volumes by decongesting the air cargo terminals at the international gateway airports, thereby reducing air logistics costs for companies engaged in foreign trade.” “Today, when everyone is gearing up for COVID vaccine delivery management, we are still not sure about the future of AFS and facing unnecessary hurdles and roadblocks in making it operational, interestingly, in other countries the concept of off-airport cargo handling is successfully in practice for decades. AFS is an innovative solution that would decongest air terminals and help in cargo management and will certainly give easy space for vaccine logistics management. Air freight stations, close to manufacturing industry, are need of the hour and an essential step towards Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ambitious Make in India’ scheme. To make these new guidelines effective it is important to resolve pending issues related to Air Freight Station Policy. Continental Carriers, which has invested heavily on AFS since 2016, is still waiting for the clearance on fixation of TSP charges by AERA and compliance from Airport Terminal Operator for built-up cargo and loose cargo. The prime objective of concerning authorities should be to resolve issues pertaining to implementation of AFS policy …

Adani Port & Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) has ranked 14th in the global transportation and transportation infrastructure sector and is the only company from India to have been included in this sector. This initiates the presence of APSEZ on the DJSI Emerging Markets Index, one of the most sought-after sustainability indices in the world that represents the top 10 per cent of the largest 800 companies within the world’s 20 emerging markets and is based on long-term Environment, Social and Economic, and Governance criteria. As part of a stringent DJSI rating process all responses by APSEZ were substantiated with internal documentation and real-life examples and audited by an independent third party to verify the accuracy of the information provided. APSEZ was ranked in the top 20 of every single dimension of the three criteria. In all, just 11 Indian companies made it to the DJSI Emerging Markets Index this year. Karan Adani, Chief Executive Officer and Whole Time Director, APSEZ comments “We are pleased to make an entry into the DJSI Index. As the largest multi-port operator and logistics player in one of the fastest growing markets in the world we recognize the complexity that we are confronted with and therefore being able to achieve this high ranking on our debut into the DJSI Index comes as a shot in the arm for us as well as validates our accountability to our investors, customers, and employees. While our Environment, Social and Economic, and Governance criteria scores are a strong validation that we are on the right path, we really see this as just one point along a more ambitious journey we have embarked on to demonstrate our absolute commitment to …

Ethiopian Cargo has launched a transpacific freighter service between South Korea and the US. The air cargo carrier operates B777-200F, one of the most technologically advanced aircraft on the route, offering a remarkable freight service to our cargo forwarding customers worldwide with reduced flight hour, seamless connectivity and better payload. The new B777F service operates from Incheon to Atlanta via Anchorage, with its first flight took place on November 9. Tewolde GebreMariam, Chief Executive, Ethiopian Group says, “We are delighted to have launched our newest freighter service to our cargo forwarder customers worldwide, extending from Incheon to Atlanta via Anchorage in the current global pandemic crisis where speed in the supply chain management is highly required to deliver urgently required goods.”

Pharma.Aero has enlarged its membership base with three new full members – Dubai-based logistics and transportation services company First Priority Cargo, global 4PL BDP International and Lima-based ground handler SAASA (Servicios Aeroportuarios Andinos S.A). Over the course of the last two months, Pharma.Aero has onboarded a total of 8 new members. Jeremy Mitchell, Director, Pharma.Aero adds, “The membership of Pharma.Aero continues to grow with like-minded logistics companies. First Priority Cargo has been a long-time partner of Sharjah Airport. We are delighted that First Priority is becoming a member of Pharma.Aero, a testament towards the growing significance of pharma at Sharjah Airport. Pharma.Aero also welcomes BDP International, which has been providing global logistics services for the Pharma industry for decades and SAASA, which provides handling & storage of pharma shipments. The joining of SAASA enlarges our network in South America. We look forward to the new collaborations that could emerge between these new members and our existing members.” Ditlip Sitlani, Vice President, Business Intelligence & Operations, First Priority Cargo said, “We strive to be the best in customer service and pharma safety is an important part of the end to end journey. We are pleased to join a collaborative organisation which understands the care and responsibilities we should all have in this industry. We look forward to adding value and sharing of our thoughts and new ideas with the entire Pharma.Aero membership.” Simona Ravera, Director of Sales, EMEA LifeSciences & Healthcare, Business Development Solutions, BDP International shares, “Following our long term strategic plan and initiatives related to the LifeSciences & Healthcare industry such as to build around customer needs and service models in end-to-end pharmaceutical logistics, BDP International is happy to …