Leveraging its expertise in innovation and customer centricity, Blue Dart part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL), has launched its first ever consumer app, the ‘My Blue Dart App’ to provide tailored solutions and act as a one stop shop for customers ‘on-the-go’. The ‘My Blue Dart App’ is currently available on Google Play and Apple Store. Manoj Madhavan, CIO, Blue Dart, said “Blue Dart has constantly augmented customer experience while always ensuring timely and seamless deliveries across the nation. The app re-emphasizes our commitment and strengthens our value proposition. Our user-friendly, secure and reliable mobile application will now allow customers to track their shipment, locate the nearest Blue Dart store or find out the best pricing anywhere and at any time all at the click of a button, through the app. With comprehensive features and ease of use, the app will be an ideal platform for our customers to fulfill all their logistics requirements.” Ketan Kulkarni, CMO & Head – Business Development, Blue Dart, comments, “Customer centricity has always been the bedrock of our foundation. The app is a step forward in leveraging the use of technology to enhance customer experience. Blue Dart has successfully steered through all testing times of business and has sustainably created value for all its stakeholders. We are extremely happy to mark this milestone, especially on the occasion of our 37th Anniversary. Our journey through the highs of digitisation has been a long one, having pioneered many an initiative. It is also a testimony of the gold standard that Blue Dart, as part of the DPDHL Group, has set for itself by aligning itself with the Group’s ‘Strategy 2025 – Delivering Excellence in …

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), DP World and Etihad Credit Insurance has showcased innovative trade credit and export financing solutions in a joint webinar. During a well-attended webinar titled, ‘Etihad Credit Insurance Collaboration: Trade with Protection’, Jafza-based companies were given a walk-through of ECI’s solutions as part of the Free Zone’s drive to ensure the growth of businesses, while lowering the cost of export, by reducing the risk of non-payments, and funding, by lowering banking pre and post-shipment funding in the current unprecedented economic climate Jafza has introduced ECI’s tailored solutions to support UAE-based businesses and increase trade by providing them with protection against commercial and non-commercial risks. More than 8,000 companies in the free zone are set to directly benefit from the strategic collaboration of Jafza and ECI, giving export businesses a major boost and a competitive edge in the regional and global markets. Jafza believes that Etihad Credit Insurance’s range of export credit, financing and investment insurance products will directly benefit Jafza’s customers, particularly the SMEs. The partnership will be a game-changer for the export of goods and services because ECI’s support increases cash flow, enables trade and contributes towards sustaining growth even as the markets recover. The shared objectives of ECI and Jafza represent the vision of the leadership to establish the UAE as a preferred global hub for exports. The Free Zone is working closely with ECI to take this partnership forward and reinforce their commitment to business continuity with confidence. In addition, ECI has issued more than 1,600 revolving credit guarantees for a total exposure amount of AED1.2 billion in the first half of 2020, which is equivalent to AED4 billion guaranteed non-oil trade coverage. …

Continuing its contributions for the sustainability of the global supply chain by building a global air cargo bridge all across the globe with its cargo flights, Turkish Cargo started to carry COVID-19 vaccines with its strong fleet, wide flight network and special cargo service quality. Offering service to 127 countries around the world, Turkish Cargo carried the COVID-19 vaccines, manufactured in China, to Brazil which is at a flight distance of approximately 17 thousand kilometers. The COVID-19 vaccines, loaded inside 7 containers equipped with dedicated cooling systems, were transported safely from Beijing to Sao Paulo, the biggest city of the South America, with a connection flight at Istanbul. By carrying pharmaceuticals to the key and certificated destinations such as Mumbai, Brussels, Istanbul, Singapore, Dubai, Basel, London and Amsterdam, Turkish Cargo created a global pharmaceutical corridor between more than 400 destinations and maintains its commitment for transporting the COVID-19 vaccines that are ready or being developed. Holding the IATA CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators) pharma certificate, Turkish Cargo, maintains the cold chain at the optimal conditions thanks to the ‘TK Pharma’ product which was has designed for carrying pharmaceuticals at global standards. Transporting pharmaceuticals all across the global in great numbers during the course of the pandemic, the successful brand carried more than 40 thousand tonnes of pharmaceuticals, medical products and medical equipment between January and September, and reported a growth over 50 percent for the pharmaceutical shipments during the same period. Turkish Cargo provided a capacity increase for the COVID-19 vaccine shipments In order to satisfy the increased demand for transportation of the vaccines, pharmaceuticals and temperature-controlled cargo, Turkish Cargo commissioned the temperature-controlled smart warehouse with an additional …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the weekly economics’ chart showing the estimated economics of an average B777-300 operation on Transatlantic, under market conditions Pre-COVID-19 versus during COVID-19 (Mar-Aug 2020). This week’s chart explores how the economics of such flights have evolved compared to before COVID-19. The association has modelled a typical North Atlantic operation with a B777-300 aircraft, assuming the market conditions before and during the pandemic. According to this this week’s chart, the average flight is almost able to cover its flight-specific operating costs (loss of US$ 2,000). This is in large part thanks to cargo revenues that now play a more important role than previously, accounting for 41 per cent of revenues vs. 9 per cent. However, the model also suggests that covering the non-flight specific fixed costs would be challenging with such low loads. This is all the more concerning as airlines need to spread those costs across their entire fleet, much of which is currently grounded or at least vastly under-utilised. The main assumptions of the model are that passenger load factors drop to the average that airlines have reported in recent months, whilst cargo load factors as well as yields increase as a result of the shrinkage of belly capacity in the market. Fuel costs are also adjusted to reflect the recent prices. It is worth noting that the above simulation is not necessarily representative of all routes and aircraft. Demand for cargo varies largely between route areas with most demand for cargo from Asia to the rest of the world and the B777-300 is an aircraft with one of the largest belly capacities. Depending on the size of the belly and …

According to ICRA Ratings, air cargo volumes are expected to decline by 17-20 per cent in FY21 with meaningful recovery in cargo volumes expected only in FY22. Anupama Arora, Vice President and Sector Head, ICRA Ratings, says, “Despite faster ramp-up, the total cargo volumes declined by 45 per cent YoY in H1 FY2021, with slow recovery in passenger aircraft traffic leading to loss of the earlier available cargo belly space constraining cargo growth.” “In October 2020, the cargo volumes are likely to show significant improvement sequentially owing to the expected higher domestic air traffic movement due to the festival season.” As per the report, the cargo volumes in September 2020 reached to 89 per cent of pre-COVID levels when compared to passenger traffic at 29 per cent. Besides, the ratings agency cited that on the supply side, airlines adopted cargo on seats and dedicated freighters to meet demand while there was inherent fear to travel during Covid-19 pandemic amongst business and leisure travellers – the major contributors to passenger traffic historically, which kept travel demand subdued. “The domestic cargo volumes witnessed significant improvement to 94,598 tonnes in September 2020 from 7,280 tonnes in April 2020. The ramp up in domestic cargo transportation in aircraft bellies of commercial passenger flights aided volume growth. With the restrictions on the passenger capacity, domestic airlines followed ‘cargo-on-seats’ model thereby utilising some aircrafts of their grounded fleet for cargo operations.” Besides, the report pointed out that airports in metro cities have contributed to around 90 per cent of the overall cargo traffic over the last few years. “While the recovery has been faster in metros with Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad reaching closer to pre-Covid …

In collaboration with tech innovator Verity, DSV is implementing an autonomous drone system in several of its warehouses to help manage inventory. The drone system can scan barcodes without human interaction and detect if pallet positions are empty or occupied. Operating mainly at night, the drones don’t interrupt warehouse operations. Inventory management traditionally involves manual barcode scans to count the warehouse inventory and keep track of stock. Besides being an unsafe and arduous task, manual counts often result in inventory data not being up to date due to discrepancies. The DSV Innovation Hub continually works to innovate DSV’s customer offerings and its operations, and after connecting with Verity, the two companies tested the system at the Moerdijk warehouse in the Netherlands, completing thousands of autonomous flights and tens of thousands of scans. “The drones know down to each centimetre where goods are located, and the information they provide with their scans can be compared with information in our system. This helps us to increase the predictability and visibility of inventory,” says Luca Graf, Senior Director, Innovation, DSV. The pilot showed that manual counts can be avoided to a large extent and that inventory data becomes virtually error-free, thereby helping to reduce stock. The successful pilot now leads to roll-out of the drone system into more DSV warehouses. “We want to offer our customers high-tech supply chain solutions, which is why we work with innovative companies like Verity. We have had a good, hands-on collaboration with them on this drone system, which we expect can benefit many of our warehouse operations where the business case makes sense,” says Peter van der Maas, Executive Vice President, Benelux, DSV Solutions.

In a bid to provide an integrated supply chain management solution enabling aerospace businesses to prioritise and focus on their core activity, B&H Worldwide and OnLogistics have joined forces. “By creating this alliance with OnLogistics we are cementing our position in the aerospace industry as specialists committed to customers who operate within this challenging and time-sensitive vertical market.” says Gary Wilson, Group Managing Director, B&H Worldwide, in adding, “In this collaboration of expertise we aim to serve the aerospace sector with a seamless supply chain solution embracing inventory management, warehousing and international distribution”. Nick Bennett, Managing Director, OnLogistics, adds, “Establishing this new venture with B&H Worldwide is a strategic alliance that will combine the strengths of OnLogistics’ warehousing and ‘on site’ service solutions plus B&H Worldwide’s global forwarding strength. The landscape of aerospace logistics has changed, we must therefore rely on our mutual strengths to deliver an agile and cost-effective service. Our aim is to provide global solutions from a network of local expertise.” OnLogistics is a UK-headquartered aerospace, defence & engineering logistics specialist providing a range of aerospace integration services including contract packing, packaging design & supply, distribution and storage incorporating kitting and direct line feed. Its capabilities have tremendous synergies with B&H Worldwide whose own services bridge the operational and visibility gap between the aircraft and its global freight network. B&H’s unrivalled expertise in delivering freight solutions across the aerospace industry combined with the supply chain transparency means it can provide customers through the use of its innovative, in-house designed IT solutions are highly tailored to suit customer operating models. Its custom-designed FirstTrac software sets the benchmark for the aerospace logistics industry.

APM Terminals Pipavav has announced that the port has reduced terminal handling charges for empty containers by a quarter to help the exporters, facing container shortage for overseas shipments. The charges have been revised downward from November 16 and will remain in effect till December 31, 2020. The move is aimed at supporting exporters in getting easy access to empty containers and reducing the waiting period. APM Terminals Pipavav is taking efforts to facilitate trade and help in reviving the economy amid a considerable imbalance in trade due to severe shortage of containers for exporters. “The Port has reduced the terminal handling charges for empty containers by 25 per cent to enable the exporters who are adversely impacted by the shortage of empty containers due to significant fall in imports,” APM Pipavav Terminals said. The reduction for handling charges on the tariff is effective for vessels sailing from November 16 to December 31. “Looking at the trade cycle adversely affected by the shortage of containers, we decided to assist the trade through a reduction in handling charges of empty containers. I hope this will support exporters in getting easy access to empty containers and reduce the waiting period, thereby addressing the critical issue of container shortage,” said Jakob Friis Sorensen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav. India’s exports during April-October period of the current financial year fell 19 per cent to US$ 150.14 billion, while imports declined 36.3 per cent to US$ 182.29 billion, citing data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The country is facing a shortage of containers for exports as the containers that come in as imports are shipped out for exports, APM Pipavav Terminals said, adding …

Boxco Logistics along with Allcargo Logistics has successfully executed the first shipment of the IOCL MEG Project at Paradip for L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE) who were the EPC contractors for IOCL. The shipment had nine heavy lift packages which were received safely on Boxco’s self-propelled modular trailers. The dimensions of the packages meant that certain modifications were required to be made to PICT which was carried out by Boxco. In addition, other civil modifications were also carried out enroute to the IOCL Site. The major challenge in transporting these packages was the route which passed through a live refinery road, which, was not strong enough for handling packages of this size. Boxco conducted a number of surveys and meetings with IOCL and LTHE personnel with the intention of finding a solution wherein the modification en route had to be minimised and the refinery also continued functioning without any shutdowns. There was another challenge for modification in the port itself for taking out these packages, we convinced the customs and took the permission for breaking the port wall and also made the slope to match the level difference between the port road inside the terminal and outside the road. Boxco made almost 27 major modifications en route to deliver this cargo. Boxco Logistics added this to a long list of complicated movements done in Paradip over the past 20 years. This contract also further strengthened the position of PICT as the terminal in Paradip for heavy lifts and over dimensional cargo the terminal has a strategic advantage because of its location. The state-of-the-art infrastructure makes it a terminal of choice for this type of cargo. The second shipment of this project …

Shankar Shinde, Chairman Elect, Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) has been elected unanimously as Managing Director of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA). IFCBA enjoys the status of Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) representation on World Customs Organisation (WCO).The election of Shinde in IFCBA’s crucial position once again underscores the growing importance of FFFAI and India at large in the international Logistics & Customs Brokers business. Having more than 30 years of experience in Logistics and Customs Broking industry Shinde is very well-known for his huge contribution to the entire industry. Apart from FFFAI and IFCBA, he has also been associated with various industry associations including Nashik Customs House Agents Association as President, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) as FFFAI nominated representative, Brihanmumbai Customs Brokers Association, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture, etc. In addition, from FFFAI Shinde is spearheading the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project collaborating with the Government of India. “The international trade community depends on the work done by Customs Brokers and IFCBA serves Customs Brokers by keeping them at the centre of the international trading system. It is IFCBA’s mission to promote the value and use of Customs Brokers worldwide,” emphasized Shinde while commenting on the importance of IFCBA. IFCBA works to bring about improvements in Customs policies and best practices on a global basis. These improvements benefit both Customs and Customs Brokers for achieving transparency in trade facilitation measures, brainstorming towards innovation for recommendation of seamless cross border customs processes and standardization with use of technology in achieving paperless transaction.