Superseding the last record of 47,167 kg uplifted on October 11, 2020, Lot Polish Airlines has uplifted the freight load of 53,534 kg on a Dreamliner B789 on a single flight from Delhi to Warsaw. “We acknowledge the great efforts of LOT Cargo & GC sales/Operations team along with airport authorities and GHA who have achieved this milestone by excellent load planning. The team has set an example of excellent team spirit, complete dedication & commitment, especially in this challenging pandemic situation. We are very excited with the LO DEL team big achievement and want to thanks LOT Polish Airlines management for having faith in Group Concorde and all the stakeholders for their continuous support to make this cargo operation successful,” notes Group Concorde in a LinkedIn post.

With international cargo leading the recovery, cargo volumes at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) are gathering momentum, following a prolonged slump due to the pandemic. This resurgence in cargo movement powered BLR Airport to become the first metro airport in India to record growth in freight in September 2020, compared to the same period last year. Improved connectivity and increase in Passenger to Cargo (P2C) aircraft, combined with proactive measures by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) enable seamless processing to have pushed cargo volumes into positive territory. In the first first two quarters of FY2020-21, between April and September, BLR Airport cargo terminals processed 131,603 metric tonnes (MT) of freight. The cargo processed in September was 32,449 MT, a growth of +0.3 per cent, against same period last year. September 2020 witnessed a +4.5 per cent growth in international cargo, of which export cargo grew by +7.6 per cent. Meanwhile, domestic cargo is showing a slower recovery at -5.2% lower than the same period in the previous year. Perishable cargo has been one of the major growth drivers, with BLR Airport having processed 17,212 MT during this period. According to APEDA, the airport accounted for highest exports of perishables among Indian Airports till June 2020. It also processed 180,745 kgs of pomegranate from April to August 2020, to emerge as the leading Airport for pomegranate exports from India. The other segments driving growth are readymade garments, engineering goods, pharma and medical supplies. The introduction of road feeder service – LOGI Connect – to link cities like Tirupur, Coimbatore, Ambur, Salem, Erode, Hyderabad and Chennai further augmented growth, powering BLR Airport’s all-India market share of air cargo from 11 …

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India has e-launched the indigenous software solution for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in the capital. Following the development, Mandaviya emphasises that indigenous system is the requirement of the country instead because there is no need to rely on high costing foreign made software solutions for traffic managements of the Indian Ports. He said that aligning with the vision of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ of Prime Minster Narendra Modi, ‘Made in India’ VTS and VTMS software will pave the way for ‘Make for the world’ vessel traffic management systems. VTS and VTMS are software which determines vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway. Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic. Vessels Traffic Management Systems are installed in some of the busiest waters in the world, and are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment. Traffic flow in busy approach routes, access channels, and harbours can be coordinated safely, in the best interest of port and its users. Incidents and emergency situations can be dealt with quickly. Data from traffic movements can be stored and used as reference information for port administration, port authorities, coastguards and search and rescue services. VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). The VTMS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as …

Pharma.Aero has enlarged its membership with a new airport member – Guarulhos Airport, global ground and cargo handling service provider dnata and transporting and warehousing company Ivemar. Welcoming the new members, Jaisey Yip, Vice-Chairman, Pharma.Aero says, “We are delighted to welcome these major air cargo players representing different nodes of the air cargo supply chain into the Pharma.Aero family. We also look forward to working closely with each of the new members in delivering our mission to achieve excellence in end-to-end air transportation of pharmaceuticals.” Monica Lamas, Commercial & Cargo Director, Guarulhos Airport adds, “During the past few years, Guarulhos Airport has received important investments in infrastructure, technology and process improvements, aiming at offering the highest quality and reliability to the pharmaceutical industries. Guarulhos Airport is the largest hub in Brazil for pharma imports. CEIV IATA was a very important achievement in this journey, and now, becoming members of Pharma.Aero will take Guarulhos Airport to a new level, as we will be side by side with the specialists of this platform, sharing innovations in air cargo industry and being part of the network of excellence in the pharma supply chain.” Dirk Goovaerts, CEO for Asia Pacific at dnata says, “dnata is proud to be a part of the Pharma.Aero community. We believe our membership is a testament to our ambition to work with industry stakeholders and provide reliable end-to-end air transportation for pharma shippers across the supply chain. Since the start of the pandemic, it has become increasingly crucial for both airlines and freight forwarders to be supported by an accredited ground handler like dnata to ensure the efficient handling of all types of life-saving vaccines coming through the air …

Etihad Cargo has announced that the high-performing temperature-controlled containers from CSafe Global will be introduced across all flights to deliver additional payload protection for large pharmaceutical shipments. The air cargo carrier has partnered with CSafe Global to introduce its latest high-performing container, the CSafe RAP, across its global fleet of wide-body and freighter aircraft. The CSafe RAP uses innovative heating and compressor-driven cooling technologies, along with advanced VIP insulation, to maintain constant payload temperatures even at extreme ambient temperatures spanning from -30°C to +54°C – the broadest operating range in the industry. Its large payload compartment of 6.68m3 easily accommodates up to four standard U.S. pallets or five standard Euro pallets. With an extended battery run time of more than 120 hours, the CSafe RAP ensures temperature integrity and product viability through to destination even on extended journeys. Etihad Cargo, which has recently reinforced its pharmaceutical logistics expertise with the launch of PharmaLife, a specialised pharma and healthcare product, was the first carrier in the Middle East to receive IATA’s CEIV (Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators) certification in pharmaceutical logistics. Following a vigorous testing process, the carrier has now approved the use of the CSafe RAP on its aircrafts to offer customers continued assurance of compliance and temperature-control along with the largest payload capacity in the industry. “As an IATA CEIV Pharma certified carrier, we take the transportation and handling of pharmaceutical shipments very seriously, adhering to the strictest processes with the very best in class equipment that ensures the best quality handling in the quickest time,” said Fabrice Panza, Manager Global Cool Chain Solutions at Etihad Cargo. “The addition of the CSafe RAP further enhances our customer offering …

International Finance Corporation (IFC) is planning to invest around $75 million (Rs 550 crore) in Indospace Logistics Parks III LP. The funding will provide Indospace long-term finance in these times of the Covid-19 pandemic to continue investing and developing select projects envisaged under the fund over the next two years. IFC anticipates that its commitment will provide a significant positive step forward to the Indian warehousing and industrial property market, which is in its evolutionary phase and now going through a severe slowdown due to Covid-19. Indospace Logistics Parks III LP is a $580 million 2018 vintage fund for developing logistics and industrial parks across India. The fund invests in warehousing and industrial property assets through various special purpose vehicles.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India has virtually laid the foundation stone for country’s first-ever multi-modal logistic park in Assam. The park will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 700 crore at Bongaigaon district. “The government is planning 35 new multimodal parks across the country. The Rs 693.97 crore park will provide direct connectivity to air, road, rail and waterways to the people. It will be developed under the ambitious Bharatmala Pariyojana of the Government of India,” states Gadkari in his address. The multi-modal logistic park will provide direct connectivity to air, rail, road, and waterways to the citizens of Assam and other parts of the North East. The fund for the logistic park will be spent on three components- railway and road connectivity as well as infrastructure and building work. An MoU will also be signed to implement the project successfully. The event was presided over by the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and was attended by and Union MoS Jitendra Singh, Gen (Retd) Dr V K Singh and Rameshwar Teli, Ministers from the State, Members of Parliaments, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the State.

Talking about the critical role of air cargo in dealing with the pandemic, Willy Boulter, IndiGo, says, “This is an unprecedented situation in airline business and like everyone IndiGo has been affected too. Through this period, cargo has been a leading light; we have started operating cargo in cabin freighters. Cargo has always been a successful but small part of IndiGo’s business, yet, it has provided some welcome revenue to us over the past five months and recently we have been operating 500 cargo charters in a month.” “In line with our mission to support the nation, IndiGo operated over 1,700 cargo charters, transporting more than 14,300 MT of supplies since April 18, 2020 till September 7, 2020. The cargo charter flights operated across 21 destinations within India and internationally, including new stations like Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Cairo in Egypt, Almaty in Kazakhstan and Tashkent in Uzbekistan. We have earned marginally higher revenue over the last five months as compared to the earnings over the last financial year. Furthermore, at only 32 per cent of operations in August 2020, IndiGo successfully managed to generate the highest ever monthly net revenue with January being the last top earning month,” he adds.

Emirates SkyCargo has commenced twice weekly scheduled cargo flights to Tokyo Haneda (HND) airport. The flights will be operated on Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft departing Dubai at 11.30pm local time as EK 312 on Thursdays and Fridays and arriving at Tokyo Haneda airport at 01:40am local time on the following days. The flight will benefit importers of fresh produce such as seafood and flowers due to the proximity of Haneda airport to local markets including the Toyosu fish market and the Ohta flower market. The air cargo carrier currently offers cargo capacity on four flights a week to Tokyo Narita airport, increasing to five flights weekly from 27 October in addition to five weekly flights to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. The air cargo carrier offers cargo capacity on its fleet of wide body aircraft including 11 Boeing 777 freighters.

In order to create an enabling environment for its growth, the West Bengal government is providing benefits of an industry to the warehousing sector. Speaking at a webinar organised by ICC, Industry and Commerce Department Secretary Vandana Yadav said, “West Bengal is one of the leading states in the country to recognise the importance of logistics and warehousing sectors. Though the warehousing sector has not been given an industry status yet in the state, it is getting all related benefits. West Bengal has a unique locational advantage which cannot be taken away in terms of connectivity. The government does not interfere and has not put the warehousing and logistics sectors under any regulation.” UP has already accorded industry status to the warehousing sector. Yadav, also Managing Director, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, said, “The other big driver behind the growth of the warehousing sector is the improvement in infrastructure catering to logistics in the state. Logistics cost is an important aspect of determining the viability of any business. Benefits of volume and efficiency should also accrue to small players and not only the big ones.” The small players need to be connected to the e- commerce platforms for which good logistics infrastructure is required, she said. Another official of WBIDC said it is expected that the space utilisation in warehouses to go up in West Bengal. He said the state is targeting investments of Rs 12,000 crore in the logistics and warehousing segments, adding that the government has identified 500 acres of land for logistics development in the state.