Delhi Customs Brokers Association (DCBA) organised its second COVID-19 Vaccination Camp at ICD Patparganj (PPG) on August 10 and 11, 2021 from 10 am to 4 pm for the Customs Brokers, their staff, family members and other stakeholders of the logistics industry. This vaccination camp was free and covers 18+ age group. More than 500 people were being vaccinated at this “free for all” vaccination camp. Conducted by Medanta Hospital, the Vaccination camp is supported by the office of the Commissioner of Customs, ICD PPG; CWC ICD PPG and ICD Rewari of SCM Express. DCBA had organized its first and very successful Covid -19 vaccination camp at New Customs House, IGI Airport from June 15th to 18th, 2021. It is pertinent to mention that Customs Brokers are one of the vital components of the logistics & supply chain system and are recognized as frontline warriors in respect of the fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic through their immensely valuable services. The Customs Brokers are working 24×7 to clear all urgent Covid related cargo/material including oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, PPE kits, vaccines, etc from airports, dry ports (IDCs) and seaports.

Qatar Airways expands its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite business class and 247 seats in economy class. Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival. Businesses and traders will also benefit from the airline’s cargo offering, allowing more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers to destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and multiple points in China. Imports will consist of pharmaceuticals, automotive and technology equipment.

The issue of container shortage has been lurking around ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, resulting in tension in the trade. Still very much exposed to the issue, the textile and garment exporters have now sought measures by the Union government to address the same. While interacting with the Prime Minister, the export promotion council heads pointed the conversation towards the logistical challenges faced by the exporters of India. Manoj Kumar Patodia, Chairman of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, putting forth his concerns said that the acute shortage of containers and the need for greater focus on logistics development were emerging as major challenges. He then politely asked the Government to step in and give immediate attention to the issue of container shortages which is turning out to be a very serious issue for the exporters. Further, he also appealed to the Government to include textiles in the priority list while negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the UK, the European Union, Canada, and Australia. Speaking on the same lines, Apparel Export Promotion Council Chairman A. Sakthivel said the government should look at FTAs with the UK, the EU, and the US, and CEPA with Canada and Australia. The shortage of containers is now adversely affecting all exporters, and the Government should advise shipping companies to bring empty vessels directly to India, he said.

The global shipping industry will have to develop contingency plans in case Covid-19 cases continue to surge in China, more so because it happens to be the world’s most important nation for shipping movements. Already, ports like the one in Singapore and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates have barred ships from changing crew members who have recently travelled from India, making it difficult for seafarers to be relieved at the end of their contract periods. According to reports, the Chinese port of Zhoushan has banned entry for any ships or crew that have visited India or Bangladesh, which has also struggled with a COVID surge in the past three months. The delta variant has made inroads into many countries defenses and China is no exception. Although, it has got some of the stringent protocols in the world yet, infection has reached nearly half of China’s 32 provinces in just two weeks. While the overall number of infections — more than 360 so far — is still lower than COVID resurgences elsewhere, the alarming spread points at the virulent nature of the variant forcing millions of Chinese to go under lockdown.

Chapman Freeborn Germany transported over 204 tonnes (1,400 CBM) of cargo from Germany to Namibia to aid in the fight against COVID-19 over a week. The cargo, which comprised of vital supplies including face masks, gowns and gloves, was transported in an A340 passenger aircraft that had its seats removed so it could be used as a freighter. Charter Broker Jan Körber explained, “During summer holiday season in Germany most airports are crowded and understaffed. It was a big challenge to find an airport that was able to handle all of the flights in a row. Paderborn Lippstadt Airport (PAD) was able to support this and meet all our expectations”.

CargoTalk is back with its yet another digital conclave on August 12, 2021 at 11 am. The virtual conclave will have eminent speakers from the trade. With the focus on Digitisation in the new normal world, the summit will discuss the significant role played by digitisation. In just a few months, the COVID-19 crisis has brought about years of change in the way Logistics companies across the globe do business. The companies have accelerated the digitization of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations. Speakers will include Tushar Jani, Chairman, Cargo Service Centre Group, Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions, Ashish Asaf, MD, S.A. Consultants & Forwarders pvt. Ltd.

Heavy-lift freighter operator Antonov Airlines has carried 40 tonnes of mining equipment from France to Argentina via Brazil. Cargo included a large semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill head, which was split into four parts sections and transported on an AN-124-100 chartered by Dynami Aviation. Antonov Airlines said the aircraft type was selected for the operation because it can accommodate more than 700 cubic metres of “unusually shaped cargo”. Additionally, it responded quickly to ensure the flight met a “strict deadline”, allowing operations at the mine to continue as normal. Olha Danylova, commercial executive at Antonov Airlines, commented: “The four pieces of cargo were loaded and unloaded using the AN-124-100’s onboard cranes and will be used in the creation of new tunnels at a mine near to Comodoro Rivadavia. “We thank our esteemed partner Dynami Aviation for its professionalism and dedicated team which always contribute to a successful transportation.”

EL AL Israel Airlines is accelerating its digital presence with real-time eBookings, access to live rates, and visible air cargo capacity through WebCargo, a Freightos Group company. With the pandemic fueling digital adoption among both carriers and forwarders, EL AL is tapping into WebCargo’s platform. EL AL Cargo will be rolling out on WebCargo across a network covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering freight solutions for all types of customers and freight. This engagement enables more than 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across over 10,000 global branches instant access to capacity, pricing, and booking on EL AL Cargo. “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with instant and accurate information is essential,” said Mr. Ronen Spira, head of EL AL Cargo division.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has taken its first step into robotics with the opening of a new Automated Parts Store (APS) for its giant container- and loose cargo handling systems. The new, robotically-operated parts dispensing system enables urgently-needed spares to be quickly accessed around the clock, both for routine maintenance and in the event of occasional breakdowns. Hactl’s automated and highly complex Container Storage System (CSS) has 11 levels, is 260 m long, features a giant ULD racking system that holds 3,500 units and stores and retrieves up to 8,000 tonnes of air cargo per day. Meanwhile, its automated Box Storage System (BSS) handles loose cargo, using 10,000 stillages that run on tracks between the cargo pick-up and build-up areas.

With a strong focus towards enhancing the company’s reach in Peninsular India, the country’s leading neutral freight forwarding company, S.A Consultants & Forwarders Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its presence in Peninsular India with the opening of another branch office in Hyderabad. Strategically located at Cargo Satellite Building, Rajiv Gandhi international Airport, the Hyderabad office is well equipped to handle all kind of import and export shipments via both air and sea. The company already has sound presence in Cochin, Chennai and Bengaluru and is strategically spreading out its wings covering the entire Peninsular India. With a handling capability of temperature-sensitive shipments (CRT/COL/FRO), the Hyderabad team has already handled several high value pharmaceutical shipments to developing and the developed world. The team is fully resourced to handle active and passive solutions; also, can successfully move dangerous goods, live animals and perishables shipments and general cargo.