Etihad Cargo has enhanced its Abu Dhabi tarmac transportation fleet with the addition of high-tech cool dollies. The introduction of cool dollies for the transportation of pharmaceutical and perishable shipments will enable the carrier to fully complete its temperature-controlled cool chain capabilities at its Abu Dhabi hub. In partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo, Etihad Cargo has added dedicated cool dollies for pharmaceutical and perishable products to provide maximum safety to the carrier’s partners and customers at every stage of the handling process. The specialised containers will offer a closed, temperature-controlled system to ensure the reliable and seamless transportation of high-value and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo between the carrier’s aircraft and state-of-the-art cool chain warehouse. Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations & Delivery at Etihad Cargo, said: “Etihad Cargo is committed to the safe, reliable and robust transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo via its IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife and IATA CEIV Fresh-certified products. Part of this commitment is ensuring cargo is transported between the aircraft and cool chain facilities as fast as possible and mitigating the risks associated with outdoor and environmental conditions during the cargo’s journey. Etihad Cargo and Etihad Airport Services Cargo have partnered to introduce dedicated cool dollies at the carrier’s Abu Dhabi Airport hub to minimise the time that temperature-sensitive cargo is exposed to external factors, such as high temperatures. These specialised containers not only control the temperature but also enable Etihad Cargo to access the data records, providing Etihad Cargo increased visibility of this Critical Control Point to reduce, eliminate and prevent hazards.” Naresh Ranganathan, Acting Vice President Cargo at Etihad Airport Services Cargo, said: “We recognise the importance of a secured cool chain, and the demand …

Hans Infomatic has announced its partnership with Continental Carriers Group, serving as the technology solution provider for India’s first RA-3 accredited greenfield Air Freight Station (AFS) recently launched in New Delhi. “This milestone marks a proud moment for Hans as we continue our legacy of over 30 years in delivering cutting-edge technology solutions for the logistics and supply chain industry”, says Parvinder Singh, Managing Director, Hans Infomatic. At the heart of this partnership lies “WiseCargo,” our flagship software solution designed to streamline air cargo operations with its innovative features and intelligent technologies. With WiseCargo, Continental Carriers’ AFS will experience enhanced efficiency, profitability, and operational excellence. Overall, WiseCargo aims to revolutionize air cargo management with its comprehensive suite of features, transparent pricing, on-time delivery, real-time tracking, and 24/7 online support. We would also like to mention here that at many airports across India, WiseCargo is widely accepted as their preferred partner for their Cargo Custodian’s IT solutions. Hans has been one of the flag bearers when it comes to automation in the supply chain domain. With a vast and varied portfolio of products, Hans has truly revolutionised supply chain automation across all verticals. “As Hans Infomatic continues to deliver cloud-based logistics and supply chain management solutions, we are committed to driving efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction across the air freight industry”, concludes Parvinder Singh.

“Changing trade policies can have significant ramifications on global supply chains, influencing sourcing strategies, production locations, and distribution networks,” says Keku Bomi Gazder, MD and CEO, Aviapro Logistic. He adds, “Tariffs, trade agreements, and geopolitical tensions can disrupt established supply chains, leading to increased costs, delays, and uncertainties for businesses worldwide. As a company operating within this complex landscape, we closely monitor trade policy developments and adapt our strategies accordingly. We prioritize agility and resilience in our supply chain operations to mitigate risks associated with policy changes. Additionally, we maintain open communication channels with our suppliers and partners to swiftly address any emerging challenges. From the government, we expect transparent and consistent trade policies that foster a conducive environment for international trade. Clear regulations, minimal bureaucratic hurdles, and a commitment to free and fair trade are essential for businesses to thrive in the global marketplace. Furthermore, we encourage policymakers to engage in constructive dialogues with industry stakeholders to understand their concerns and develop policies that support sustainable economic growth. Additionally, investments in infrastructure, technology, and skill development are crucial to enhance the competitiveness of Indian businesses on the global stage. By fostering an enabling environment for trade and innovation, the government can contribute to the resilience and prosperity of the Indian economy amidst evolving global dynamics.”

“Currently Indian Railways boasts one of the largest rail networks globally. The dedicated freight corridors have improved rail freight transportation efficiency, but challenges such as capacity constraints and last-mile connectivity persist, says Mohit Kapoor, Chair Projects and Events Committee Warehousing Association of India. He adds, “The extensively expanding road network in India is improving yesteryear’s traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and operational inefficiencies. The air cargo industry is growing, with major airports serving as cargo hubs. However, infrastructure limits, limited freight handling facilities, high operating expense, complex legal frameworks, lack of smooth integration between multiple forms of transportation, and sustainability issues are main hurdles, in addition to hesitancy for technological upgrade, and environmental concerns in unplanned ways of development.”

DHL Express announced the significant agreement with Komatsu Australia for their commitment to invest one million-dollar towards DHL Express’ GoGreen Plus service, which allows Komatsu to reduce (‘inset’) the carbon emissions associated with their international shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).   GoGreen Plus is one of the most effective ways companies can choose to reduce their carbon emissions for their international shipments as they have the opportunity to invest in SAF, allowing companies like Komatsu to track their progress toward their sustainability goals, backed by science-based, verified and certified reporting on their carbon reduction insets.   This partnership makes significant contribution to Komatsu’s ambitious commitment to slash their carbon footprint by 50% by 2050. The impact of the investment will be announced at the end of the year and audited by an external auditor.

“India’s gateway to streamlined and sustainable logistics lies in adopting multimodal transportation for Economical, Ecological, and Energy-efficient (3E Principal) cargo movement,” says Kiran B. Nandre, Director NVOCC & Short Sea Shipping, Rhenus Logistics India. He adds, “Over the past two decades, India has seen a push for multimodal connectivity. Initiatives like PM Gati Shakti for integrated infrastructure projects, Bharatmala Pariyojana for highways, Sagarmala for coastal and inland waterways, and Dedicated Freight Corridors for high-speed rail freight movement have laid the groundwork. Public-Private Partnerships have played a key role in developing a network of roads, railways, ports, warehouses, and port connectivity.”

DACHSER announced that it is acquiring Brummer Logistik in Germany and Brummer Logistic Solutions in Austria, encompassing the entire operational business of the Brummer Group. “Under the terms of the deal, the companies agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition still requires the approval of the German and Austrian competition authorities,” reads the release. In 2023, the family-owned companies generated revenue of around EUR 128 million, putting them among the leading food logistics providers in Central Europe. The two owners and managing directors of the Brummer Group, Hans Brummer and Simone Brummer-Leebmann, have decided to concentrate their business activities on the management and development of real estate, particularly in the logistics sector. They will be supported in this enterprise by their daughter, Valerie Brummer. Brummer Logistik was founded in 1977 in Neuburg am Inn, Bavaria, where it owns a 40,000 m2 facility for refrigerated and frozen food. Brummer Logistic Solutions launched in 2021 and has 45,000 m2 of storage space at its location in St. Marienkirchen, Austria. Flows of goods from all over Europe are thus strategically consolidated right next to the border, facilitating the optimal utilization of transport capacity and greater efficiency in transit times. In its core market of southern Germany and Austria, Brummer currently employs some 950 people.

Leasing of industrial and warehousing spaces rose by 23 per cent annually in January-March this year to 135 lakh square feet across 19 major tier I, II and III cities of the country on demand from third-party logistics players and manufacturers, according to Savills India. Real estate consultant Savills India on Thursday released the data on demand for industrial and logistics spaces. The year started on an impressive note, with a strong absorption or leasing of 13.5 million (135 lakh) square feet in January-March 2024 compared to 11 million (110 lakh) square feet in the year-ago period. Tier I cities witnessed 78 per cent of the absorption, while tier II and III cities accounted for the remaining 22 per cent. Leasing of industrial and warehousing spaces in Tier I cities increased 25 per cent to 10.5 million (105 lakh square feet) during January-March 2024 from 8.4 (84 lakh square feet) in the year-ago period. Tier II and III cities witnessed a 20 per cent growth to 3 million (30 lakh) square feet from 2.5 million (25 lakh) square feet.

TVS ILP (a part of TVS Mobility Group) launched new state-of-art warehouse in Cuttack, Odisha. The upcoming facility spans 24 acres of land, housing two large warehouses totalling 5 lakh square feet, catering sectors like FMCG, FMCD, 3PL, and e-commerce. With its presence at a strategic location at the confluence of the Mumbai and Chennai-Kolkata highways (off NH 55), it enjoys excellent connectivity to the Paradip port and the major parts of the country. TVS ILP will invest around ₹125 Crore in the project and it anticipates its completion by the end of December 2024. The Cuttack logistics park is expected to generate over 110 direct jobs and between 500 to 1,000 indirect employment opportunities in the region. Additionally, as part of TVS ILP’s commitment to sustainability, the logistics park will incorporate green building principles, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainable materials. Plans are underway to certify the park with the Edge Advanced Green Building certification issued by the International Finance Corporation. Commenting on the development, Mr. Manikandan Ramachandran, COO, TVS ILP, said, “The Choudwar Industrial Estate has immense growth potential, and our new facility aims to enable businesses to efficiently cater to the rapidly growing demand from the eastern part of the country. We look forward to contributing to the region’s prosperity by creating meaningful employment opportunities for the local community while building seamless connectivity across various trade points. This facility is a step further in our commitment to build industrial parks every 400 km in India. As the first player to explore the market, we desire to remain steadfast in our aggressive expansion plans into the Eastern markets.”

Global air freight rates are maintaining their recent firm tone, according to the latest data from TAC Index. “The overall Baltic Air Freight Index calculated by TAC edged up a further one percent in the week to April 8, the sixth successive weekly gain leaving it lower by only -10.6 percent over the past 12 months,” the update added. Activity is often a little quiet around the Ching Ming festival (which happened on April 4) but rates out of China kept on edging up with the index of outbound routes from Hong Kong gaining another 0.7 percent WoW to leave it ahead by 7.7 percent YoY. Outbound Shanghai edged up another 1.1 percent WoW to leave it narrowly ahead by 0.7 percentYoY. “The biggest price action out of Asia again occurred from the very hot market in India with further large increases WoW on rates both to Europe and to the U.S. as well as from both Bangkok and from Vietnam to Europe.”