International air cargo handled in India during October was 90 per cent of its year-ago level, tweets, Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister. He says, “With our skies and airports busy facilitating more than 1.81 crore domestic passengers since May 25, 2020, another area which witnessed robust activity and growth is air cargo.” The air cargo data across the country shows multiple green shoots. Air cargo at Indian airports has increases from 1.55 MMT in 2006-07 to 3.56 MMT in 2018-19 as a result of global downturn due to COVID.” “Chandigarh Airport saw a growth of 16 per cent in October 20202 over October 2019 while Srinagar handleld staggering 853 MT air cargo in October 2020 showing a huge jump of 135 per cent over October 2019. Madurai, Kochi and Chennai also registered double digit growth in October 2020 over October 2019,” the Minister informs. Registering exemplary growth in air cargo movement, Amritsar Airport handled 211MT of total air cargo in October 2020; an increase of 48 per cent over October 2019 while with 14.4 MT of domestic air cargo in October 2020 Amritsar Airport has registered a growth of 149 per cent over 2019.

The Cooperative Logistics Network has organized its First Online Conference on November 4-5, 2020, giving the exclusive opportunity to more than 130 freight forwarders of getting together on one platform to carry on with the much-needed business discussions to increase their flow of businesses. In the absence of a direct in-person meeting in 2020, an online event is the only chance for members to meet altogether while reducing expenditure in terms of time and money. It has also enabled agents to showcase their businesses and secure new projects right from the comfort of their own homes. More than 130 members representing over 100 cities worldwide came online to network with their partners attending around 4200 meetings. As stated by Antonio Torres, President and Founder of Cooperative Logistics Network, “Although we had to postpone our Annual Meeting at Phuket because of the pandemic, the Virtual Conference saw the coming together of agents representing several major cities worldwide, who got to interact face to face and formulate strategies for enhanced business opportunities in the coming months. Taking into account the current difficult situation, it is more important than ever to foster the spirit of collaboration and work in the network so that all members can get over it stronger.” In course of the two days meeting, members were also provided with an online presentation of all the latest features that had been added to The Coop’s member-exclusive TMS FreightViewer. The new updates of The Coop’s online tool are expected to greatly facilitate the daily office chores of the members and will allow members to make quotations 24/7.

The CMA CGM Group has embarked on a major program to build a new class of liquefied natural gas-powered vessels, as part of its drive to take the shipping industry’s energy transition to the next level. The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE has begun its first LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam will play a key role in refueling the Group’s LNG-powered fleet, which operates regular services between Asia and Europe. In November 2017, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, made the visionary decision to order nine 23,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) with an LNG power supply, a first in the history of the shipping industry for vessels of this size. This fleet is the product of seven years of research and development efforts. It will operate on the Group’s iconic French Asia Line (FAL 1) connecting Asia with Europe. The line provides a weekly service comprising 13 calls over 84 days. These nine vessels will be registered on the International French Register (RIF). Following this record order for nine 23,000 TEU containerships, including the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE and the recently delivered CMA CGM CHAMPS ELYSEES, the CMA CGM Group now operates seven LNG-powered containerships and will have a fleet of 26 containerships of various sizes by 2022. LNG is currently the state-of-the-art industry solution for preserving air quality. It delivers a reduction of 99% in sulfur dioxide and fine particle emissions and of 85% in nitrogen oxide emissions, surpassing the requirements of current regulations. LNG also provides an initial response to the challenge of tackling climate change. An LNG-powered vessel also emits up to 20% less CO2 than fuel-powered systems. This technology …

American Airlines Cargo has continued the modernisation of its business with the completion of digital Air Mail Handling and Mail Revenue Accounting modules from IBS Software’s iCargo system. This deployment, which was completed in late August, was the final transition necessary to complete the multi-year modernisation effort that replaces the cargo business’s technology platform. iCargo has helped American simplify its cargo business’s IT landscape by reducing the number of systems from 90 to 10, eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies in systems and processes that will drive improvements for its 8000+ cargo team and 30,000 customers. The enhanced technology enabled teams to better communicate with customers and offer new solutions in a time where keeping cargo moving was especially critical. “Completing the transition to iCargo is a critical step in digitalising our global air cargo business. Air cargo has played a vital role during the pandemic, and it is important that we continue to innovate and press ahead with our digital strategy as we look toward the future,” said, Angela Hudson, Head of Transformation for American Airlines Cargo. She added, “Our entire team owned this transition and have been working side-by-side to leverage our new tools with customers in mind.” “The successful go-live of the iCargo platform at American Airlines Cargo is a testament to the commitment that iCargo and IBS Software brings to the global air cargo business. American has an incredible team running an intensive air cargo schedule, especially now with their cargo-only flight schedule, and we’re delighted that iCargo will be playing a critical role in helping them achieve that,” said Ashok Rajan, Senior Vice President & Head of Cargo and Logistics, IBS Software.

Drone Delivery Canada Corp has executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with CSC Drone Aviation – a CSC Group Company, effective November 12th, 2020. The company has signed the LOI with the assistance of its sales agent Air Canada. Under the terms of the LOI, the parties shall cooperate and work jointly with the local regulator (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and shall work together to identify and analyse market opportunities in India for DDC’s Condor drone delivery solution with the intent to work towards a definitive agreement for that market. “We are pleased to be working with CSC Group towards an agreement for DDC’s Condor drone logistics solution in India. With a population of 1.4 billion people, and the world’s third largest GDP at US$ 8.7 trillion, India is a massive logistics market, so there are numerous potential applications for the Condor, from first-mile/last-mile cargo delivery, to oil & gas, mining, government, military, healthcare, humanitarian aid and infrastructure inspection services. We are very encouraged by the strong Canadian and international interest in the Condor as we work towards its commercialisation and the finalisation of testing,” said Michael Zahra, President & CEO of DDC. “Diwali symbolizes victory, goodness, knowledge and prosperity, so during the auspicious period of Diwali, we are honoured to announce joining forces with Drone Delivery Canada to work towards bringing their advanced drone delivery solution to the enormous Indian market. Their solution, especially with the capabilities of the Condor, addresses many commercially viable use cases from commercial/industrial delivery applications to social benefit applications like healthcare,” said Tushar Jani, Chairman, CSC Group.

Following the announcement, made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of renaming Ministry of Shipping to Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Shipping, states during the formal unveiling of plaque ceremony, “It is indeed a matter of pride that with Prime Minister’s vision, the country is moving ahead with a holistic and long-term approach of multi-modal connectivity.” He added that he is indeed grateful to Prime Minister for his foresight regarding the expansion of the scope of work as far as ports, shipping and waterways are concerned. He says, “With the changed name, the Ministry is going to put extra focus on the development of Waterways and coastal shipping. Around 1400 km of waterways have already been fully developed and additional 1000 km is being developed on priority for which DPR/feasibility study has been completed. We are also focusing for creation of a Port Grid, encompassing various smaller ports like fisheries port, agriculture port and mineral port etc so that port development and port-led development takes place in the country.” Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary & Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Addl Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Dr. Amita Prasad, Chairman, IWAI, Amitabh Kumar, DG Shipping, T.K. Ramachandran, Chairman, IPA, along with chairmen of all the major ports and senior officials of the Ministry attended the ceremony through video conferencing. While making this historic announcement, PM said “Now this Ministry will be known as Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It is being expanded. In most of the developed economies, the Shipping Ministry is also responsible for Ports and Waterways. In India, the Shipping Ministry has been doing a lot of work related to Ports and Waterways. Now with …

Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, Government of India has made 12 announcements under the Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 with a stimulus size of Rs 2.65 lakh crore or 15 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In order to help EXIM Bank facilitates Lines of Credit development assistance activities and promote exports from India, Sitharaman says, “We will boost exports through an additional Rs 3,000 crore to be given to the Exim Bank of India, for promoting exports under Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS Scheme). This will help EXIM BAnk facilitate the Line of Credit development assistance activities.” When exports are mandated through it, most recipient countries get Indian firms executing projects such as railway lines, transmission lines and so on. US$ 10.5 billion are provided through the line of credit. As on date, 811 export contracts, aggregating US$ 10.50 billion are being financed under Line of Credits.

Allcargo Logistics has moved a 76-metre long super consignment from L&T Hazira in Gujarat to IOCL Paradip in Odisha, achieving a rare feat of successfully managing one of the largest over-dimensional cargo (ODC) movements in India. The Projects & Equipment (P&E) division of Allcargo Logistics showed exemplary commitment and operational efficiency while managing the entire multimodal ODC project cargo movement for its client L&T Hydrocarbon. The movement of nine super ODC comprising heavy equipments such as glycol field stripper, vacuum effect evaporator and MEG column delivered efficiently from Manufacturing Yard in Hazira to Project Location in IOCL Paradip. “It was a huge multimodal logistics affair as the mission involved direct transportation of six packages from L&T factory to Adani Hazira Port by road, vessel voyage from Adani Hazira Port to Paradip Port (PICT) and land transportation from PICT to IOCL Refinery using shore road,” the company informs. The movement also involved the transportation of three packages from L&T Jetty to Adani Hazira Port by vessel and from PICT to IOCL site by road. Overcoming few operational challenges and maneuvering constraints, the team of project logistics professionals at Allcargo Logistics planned and executed the transportation with perfection and utmost safety banking on incisive knowledge and unparalleled multi-modal transport operations efficiency. Allcargo also pressed into service its advanced equipment and operators to ensure smooth movement of the ODC. “There are always inherent challenges involved in the process of moving ODC. In this case, challenges multiplied due to size and shape. However, our P&E team rose to the occasion and demonstrated extraordinary commitment and proficiency to ensure safe and hassle-free multimodal movement, delivering superior customer satisfaction. Our specialised project movement service has set …

To speed up the process for customers, Lufthansa Cargo has launched the online booking portal namely eBooking. The carriers has simplified the process into three steps to booking; all that is now required to make a booking is to define the shipment, choose the product and confirm the route. The system guides customers through the booking process with automatic suggestions and suitable options. The booking system then calculates a price that can be booked directly. Changes can also be made afterwards with just a few clicks. This makes the booking even faster and easier for all customers and also allows them to confirm the booking immediately. The new booking portal also demonstrates Lufthansa Cargo’s responsibility towards the climate and environment: with the integrated carbon calculator, all customers have the opportunity to check the CO2 emissions caused by their transportation and having them offset in the future. “Most of our customers already book online. With the new eBooking we are improving the usability for our customers. Access to our capacity with bookable prices is now even easier for our customers 24/7. Our sales department will continue to focus on the individual needs of our customers,” explains Dorothea von Boxberg, Lufthansa Cargo Chief Commercial Officer. Following the expansion of the digital interfaces, the introduction of the dynamic pricing ‘RapidRateResponse’ and digital PreCheck of shipments, Lufthansa Cargo has reached another milestone in its digitalization strategy with the new eBooking. At the same time, the cargo airline has taken a decisive step forward in digitally mapping the entire supply chain and separating the data flow from physical freight traffic.

Responding to market demand for additional cargo capacity, Emirates SkyCargo has started utilising its Airbus A380 aircraft on select cargo charter operations to transport urgently required cargo across its network. The first dedicated Emirates A380 ‘mini-freighter’ has successfully transported medical supplies between Seoul and Amsterdam via Dubai. Working collaboratively with the Engineering and Flight Operations teams within Emirates, the air cargo carrier has optimised the cargo capacity of the Airbus A380 to safely transport around 50 tonnes of cargo per flight in the bellyhold of the aircraft. The cargo carrier is working on further optimising the capacity of its Airbus A380 aircraft through measures such as seat loading of cargo and has planned more dedicated cargo flights on aircraft for the month of November. The freight division of Emirates offers a variety of options for cargo capacity and connectivity to best match its customers’ requirements. Emirates SkyCargo operates dedicated cargo flights on its Boeing 777-F and its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft including 14 modified Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft with seats removed from Economy Class for additional cargo volume. Through its responsiveness and agility, the air cargo carrier has been able to maintain the flow of essential goods and trade across international markets during the pandemic, often providing a much required helpline to communities around the world.