Seeing a slight decrease of 0.9 per cent compared to the previous year, Dachser’s consolidated net revenue totaled EUR 5.61 billion. In contrast to the decline of 2.2 per cent in the road logistics business field, the air & sea logistics business field saw growth of 5.2 per cent. The business field benefited from having airfreight charter capacity of its own as well as from high freight rates for intercontinental transport. At the Group level, the number of shipments dropped by 2.5 per cent to 78.6 million, while tonnage fell by 2.9 per cent to 39.8 million metric tonnes. “We have delivered on our promise to be a rock of stability during the coronavirus crisis,” says, Burkhard Eling, CEO, Dachser. The compny kept its customers’ global supply chains running without interruption and came up with flexible solutions to capacity bottlenecks, particularly on intercontinental freight services. At the same time, the company provided the best possible protection for its employees’ health and supported its longstanding service partners in Europe. “Following a solid first quarter, the lockdowns in many European countries meant sometimes drastic declines in overland transport shipments,” says Eling. He adds, “There was a clear improvement by June, however, with volumes remaining more or less consistently above 2019 levels. Our business model has proved that it can withstand crises, at the same time boasting strong growth potential and adaptability.” Revenue at the air & sea logistics business field benefited from the shortages in air and sea freight capacity, and the corresponding rise in freight rates, throughout 2020. Buoyed by its activities in Asia, the business field upped its revenue by 5.2 per cent to a total of EUR 1.2 billion. …

March exports showed a whopping double digit growth of almost 60.50 percent clocking US$ 34.45 billion compared to March 2020. Reacting to March 2021 export figures, Sharad Kumar Saraf, President, FIEO, said that the monthly exports showed a whopping double digit growth of almost 60.50 percent clocking US$ 34.45 billion compared to March 2020, showing not only impressive signs of further revival for the sector but for the overall economy as well. This has been mainly on account of 28 out of 30 major product groups of exports showing either a very impressive high positive growth starting with triple digit and almost all ending with a very high double digit growth defying all the odds during these difficult times. FIEO President added that the exports of other cereals, oil meals, iron ore, jute mfg. including floor covering, carpet, electronic goods, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed item, rice, spices, cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, handloom products etc., meat, dairy and poultry products, ceramic products and glassware, drugs and pharmaceuticals, organic and inorganic chemicals, plastic and linoleum, handicrafts excl. Hand-made carpet, Marine products, Man-made yarn/fabrics/made-ups etc., Mica, coal and other ores, minerals including process, Petroleum products, RMG of All Textiles, Coffee, Fruits and vegetables, Leather and leather manufactures, Tobacco, and Tea were the sectors, which contributed towards showing such a whopping performance by the exports sector during the month. Such a whopping growth in exports during the month also helped in taking the merchandise exports to over USD 290 billion for FY 2020-21 during such difficult and torrid times, which was well forecasted by FIEO said Saraf. FIEO Chief also reiterated that the support and help provided by the Government …

CargoFlash Infotech has partnered with the Luxembourg-based EDIfly to provide innovative messaging software for aviation and logistics sectors. Starting April 2021, CargoFlash has embedded the technology of EDIfly into its cloud-based, digital platform to enable free, encrypted messaging for its air cargo management solutions. With this partnership, CargoFlash can now enable all users of the advanced EDIfly technology to benefit from the free, web-based exchanges with stakeholders in ground handling and warehouse management, airline trucking, forwarding, logistics, cargo community systems and even governments, for that matter. The implementation is completely seamless for CargoFlash’s clients as EDIfly relies on the same IATA addresses, already in use by the legacy aviation messaging providers, including SITA and ARINC. With this recent association, EDIfly shall add value to the exchanges of CargoFlash’s communication as there is an instant proof-of-delivery through a digital signature, allowing complete process control for its business partners. Conceptualised by a team of air cargo domain’s veterans and experts, having over 500 years of combined experience, the next-generation ‘nGen’ by CargoFlash is an end-to-end air cargo management system delivering solutions to the global aviation cargo industry. Through the ‘nGen’, the company caters solutions to airline carriers, GHAs, GSSAs and forwarders. ‘nGen’ provides instant, integrated and seamless solutions to the Air Cargo industry for reservation, revenue management and accounting, D2D and warehouse management. “Some clients on the comprehensive nGen management platform by CargoFlash work without a connection to legacy Type B providers while relying on the global IATA messaging standards and end-to-end encryption instead of using unsecured email for mission-critical communication. With the quick implementation and seamless integration, we aim to rapidly spread the disruptive concept that EDIfly can bring to the …

DB Schenker has transported equipment for a vaccine filling line this week, on behalf of US-based healthcare company Nexus pharmaceuticals. With a total volume of 82 tons, it was necessary to charter an Antonov An-124 aircraft for the flight from Frankfurt-Hahn in Germany to Chicago-Rockford in the US. The transported material comprised of a vaccine filling machine with isolator from the German specialized engineering companies Bausch + Stroebel and Franz Ziel. Once the production line is operational, it has the capability to produce up to 30 million doses of vaccines per month. The design and fabrication of the machine already began years before the pandemic. Thorsten Meincke, Member of the Management Board for Air and Ocean Freight, DB Schenker, says, “With our expertise in intercontinental transports, we want to support the global fight against the pandemic by building up vaccine production capacities where possible. More than ever, logistics truly matters. We are proud to be able to realize short-term air freight solutions for our customers even in times of limited market capacities.” John Cook, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations of Nexus Pharmaceuticals, adds, “Nexus Pharmaceuticals is keenly aware of the need for an increase in global vaccine production capabilities and as such has aggressively taken steps to address the situation. The filling line and associated isolator represent critical pieces and their arrival is the culmination of Nexus’ commitment to addressing medical needs during the pandemic. Nexus’ investment with DB Schenker’s tremendous support was instrumental in the fast-tracking of the commissioning of our state-of-the-art sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.” From the two companies’ locations in Ilshofen and Billerbeck, DB Schenker transported the equipment to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport from where an Antonov An- 124 …

CEVA Logistics has joined United Airlines’ Eco-Skies Alliance, a first-of-its-kind program involving leading global corporations working with the airline to power future flying in a more sustainable way. CEVA Logistics and other Eco-Skies Alliance leaders will work with United to collectively purchase approximately 3.4 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year. With nearly 80 per cent emissions reductions on a life-cycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel, this is enough SAF to eliminate approximately 31,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or enough to fly passengers more than 200 million miles. As an inaugural participant, CEVA Logistics is taking a lead in the air cargo industry to reduce the logistics-related impact on the environment at the source by creating demand for more SAF. In addition to the Eco-Skies Alliance program, which is designated for corporate customers, United is also inviting individual customers to join in the airline’s efforts by contributing funds to purchase SAF, which United will use to help lower the greenhouse gas emissions from its flights compared to traditional jet fuel. Says Mathieu Friedberg, CEO, CEVA Logistics, “At CEVA, we deliver responsive logistics for our customers, and as part of the CMA CGM Group, we’re strongly committed to acting for the planet in the areas of climate change, air quality and biodiversity. With our participation in the United Eco-Skies Alliance, CEVA is taking tangible action today, with an eye on the solutions of tomorrow. Offering a SAF option to our air cargo customers in partnership with United demonstrates CEVA’s commitment to a more sustainable supply chain. We applaud the participation of each member of the Alliance.” Scott Kirby, CEO, United, adds, “While we’ve partnered with companies …

Talking about the stellar role played by the air cargo industry, Tulsi Mirchandaney, MD, Blue Dart Aviation, says, “Under extremely difficult conditions, when most were confined to the safety of their homes, this segment of aviation worked every single day through the lockdown to provide the only accessible logistics network across the country and overseas. However, the air cargo segment is still hurting. High fixed costs remain unchanged, the depreciation of the rupee impacts our lease and maintenance cost, and, the commodity mix has changed. While certain segments like e-commerce and pharma have grown, we are yet to witness other industries get back to their earlier levels. The ATF cost is now back to the pre-COVID levels and is the biggest hit. ATF is a well-worn subject that is continuously brought up because it is a core cost component. For a cargo airline, it accounts for close to 40 per cent of direct operating cost. Unlike passenger airlines where excess belly capacity is used for incremental revenues, space on freighters is the mainstay of our revenue.”

The Centre is looking to develop Bhavnagar in Gujarat as a container hub and has set up pilot projects for its manufacturing, informs Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister. The initiative aimed at attaining self-reliance in container production eyes Rs 1,000 crore investment from private players and looks to create one lakh jobs. The move assumes significance amid reports of global shortages of containers with Indian containerised trade taking a hit owing to the staggered supply and demand shocks across geographies as per logistic majors. “India requires about 3.5 lakh containers every year. There is no container production in India and we have to depend mainly on China which is a global producer. Now we want to develop Bhavnagar in Gujarat as a container hub and we have selected 10 places there for its production on a pilot basis,” Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told PTI. The pilot project has been successful, he said. Mandaviya said the Ministry of shipping during the last six months has taken several initiatives to encourage container production at Bhavnagar with the help of re-rolling and furnace makers who are being encouraged to diversify in the space. We expect private players to invest about Rs 1,000 crore in this space. We also expect creation of one lakh local jobs. The intiative has been taken to realise the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, he said. “We have formed a committee to look into the finer details like standardisation, certification etc. The committee comprises experts from Ministry of Shipping, IRS (Indian Register of Shipping), IITs etc,” Mandaviya said. Mandaviya said in days to come, India will start production which will be consumed by …

Continuing its efforts to transport COVID-19 vaccines across the world, IAG Cargo has delivered 2.5 million doses into Latin America and the Caribbean since January. The shipments were transported using IAG Cargo’s specialist Constant Climate service via its airside hubs at London Heathrow and Madrid Barajas, two of its three specialist pharmaceutical GDP certified hubs, to the approved Constant Climate stations in the region. Daniel Byrne, Regional Commercial Manager – UK & Ireland at IAG Cargo said, “We are delighted to be able to support Latin America and the Caribbean with their vaccine rollout – a region that is a key part of our network. With our sister airlines, British Airways and Iberia we’ve already transported vaccines into El Salvador, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and we partnered with Crown Agents to support the delivery efforts into several British Overseas Territories including Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos. With our world-class cool chain facilities supported by highly trained teams and a seamless service we are committed to supporting the logistics to deliver COVID-19 vaccines in the Latin American and Caribbean region, and worldwide.” Fergus Drake, CEO, Crown Agents, adds, “In the global race to secure doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, we strike to ensure no country gets left behind. We’re proud to be working with IAG Cargo to ensure even the most remote regions of the globe get their fair share of the vaccine.”

A new 50,000 square metres logistics building for the handling of goods was officially opened, after two years of constructions work, at the west side of Brucargo. The building provides large refrigerated storage areas and offers direct airside access, with three logistics companies operating out of the facility including Kuehne+Nagel, Worldwide Flight Services and Expeditors. “Brucargo West not only provides additional first-line facilities for handling activities (WFS), increasing maximum capacity but also anchors the airfreight activities of two global logistics service providers (Expeditors and Kuehne+Nagel),” the airport says. Brussels Airport boasts over 100 logistics companies making it the second most important logistics hub in Belgium, after the Port of Antwerp, for international trade, according to Brussels Airport. Centrally located amongst major industrial centres in Belgium, the logistics area of Brussels Airport is a crucial driver of economic growth in the country and its regions. The airport saw nearly 650,000 tonnes of cargo transported in 2020. Brussels Airport has invested a total of EUR 100 million in the construction of ultra-modern logistics buildings including the Brinks building for the storage of valuable goods. With the new facility, Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) is expanding its activities at BRU for the handling of perishables including temperature-controlled storage and transportation of flowers, vegetables and fruit. The new infrastructure is particularly suited for the handling of pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, which is one of the niche markets Brussels Airport has specialised in. The airport has over 30,000 sqm of refrigerated storage space. Brussels Airport says K+N’s hub in Brucargo complements the company’s global network of 90+ KN PharmaChain GxP certified air logistics stations. Also tapping the new facility, Expeditors is significantly expanding its healthcare logistics in Europe …

Calling the digitalisation journey of the airfreight industry a long and challenging one, Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics Solutions, says, “The e-freight concept was initially launched by IATA in 2006 as part of the StB (simplifying the business) programme and became an industry-wide initiative. With more than 30 paper documents being handled for each shipment, the goal established 14 years ago by the e-freight programme was to cut delivery cycle times by 24 hours, accelerate and enhance track and trace processes and eliminate nearly 8,000 tonnes of paper documents annually – the equivalent of 80 Boeing 747 freighters filled with paper.