FedEx Express is enhancing the online shipping experience for its customers with new automated e-commerce capability in FedEx Ship Manager™ (FSM) which supports small businesses and e-commerce merchants in India, helping them efficiently manage their shipments online. In addition to India, this service is available across 44 countries and territories in Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa This enhancement to FSM allows businesses to create shipments and paperwork from their online orders in a few simple steps, saving considerable time compared to manually entering information to create shipping labels. Customers will now be able to synchronise their Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop store with FSM at fedex.com. More e-commerce platforms and marketplaces will be added over time.

Airfreight rates finally showed signs of improvement in September and the increase in rates have been recorded in the first week of October. The latest figures from the Baltic Exchange Airfreight Index (BAI) show that average rates – spot and contract – paid by forwarders from Hong Kong to Europe and North America increased last month for the second month in a row. From Hong Kong to North America rates in September increased to $4.90 per kg from $4.85 per kg a month earlier, with improvements picking up as the month progressed. From Hong Kong to Europe, prices improved to $3.72 per kg from $3.65 per kg in August. Rate increases at this time of year aren’t too much of a surprise as the industry enters the busier peak season. Perhaps more notably, the gap on last year’s performance continued to narrow last month. In August rates from Hong Kong to North America were down 41.8% year on year but this narrowed to 38.3% in September – the first time since March that the difference has been below 40%. To Europe, the difference narrowed to 38.9% in September from 42.4% in August, which is the first time since April the gap has been below 40%. In recent weeks, market reports have suggested a rise in demand and a tightening of capacity. E-commerce demand out of Hong Kong had been particularly strong, the reports said. Meanwhile, it appears rates are continuing to increase in October.

Modern Logistics has taken delivery of its first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The 737-800BCF, leased through Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM), is the first of two freighters to be added to Modern Logistics’ fleet over the next few months. São Paulo-based Modern Logistics said the acquisition also marks the “first ever 737-800 within Brazil’s logistics industry”. The newly acquired freighter is currently undergoing certification by PCA Airworthiness in advance of final approval by ANAC, Brazil’s aviation regulator. Modern Logistics’ chief executive Cristiano Koga said: “I am very pleased with the collaboration and expertise of BBAM and PCA and anxiously look forward to the addition of the new aircraft. “The additional capacity and efficiency of the new aircraft will assure the future success of the company by better responding to the needs and requirements of our clients.” Modern Logistics said it currently has three classic 737s in its fleet – two 737-300Fs, and one 737-400F. The introduction of the new 737-800s is part of a fleet renewal plan to enhance operational efficiency.

DTDC Express has selected Open Pricer, a cutting-edge cloud pricing platform to support its growth in the Indian market. The collaboration will allow DTDC to use dynamic pricing to optimize its pricing contracts while maintaining market competitiveness. With a vast network of over 14,500+ customer access points, covering nearly 96% of India’s population, DTDC Express has positioned itself as a leader in the Indian parcel delivery landscape. The company offers unparalleled customer experience and value through its Express Parcels, International and Integrated eCommerce Logistics Verticals. Open Pricer, is a cloud-based pricing platform that empowers logistics providers to sell smarter and faster, improving their financial performance. This collaboration empowers DTDC’s direct and channel sales teams by providing advanced pricing tools which enable quicker and more accurate quoting for new opportunities, ultimately leading to increased conversion rates and fairer margins. DTDC is committed to delivering enhanced value to its valued customers through this strategic alliance. Speaking on the development, Abhishek Chakraborty, Executive Director, DTDC Express Ltd. said that: “Our adoption of Open Pricer, showcases our commitment towards adopting the best of technology to create value for our customers. DTDC is undergoing a complete business transformation journey, aimed at enhancing our ecosystem of Customers, Partners, and other Stakeholders. We plan to continue to invest in advanced data analytics solutions in the future that will further accelerate efforts to provide enhanced customer experience across our Express Parcels, International and Integrated e-commerce verticals. Further, we plan to bring cutting edge end mile solutions such as PuDo and pursue adoption of novel technologies such as Generative AI and Machine Learning.”

Zebra Technologies Corporation has successfully demonstrated a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) large language model (LLM) running on Zebra handheld mobile computers and tablets without needing connectivity to the cloud. This breakthrough empowers Zebra partners and customers to unlock exciting productivity gains that will shape the future of work across industries from retail to warehouse and logistics to hospitality and healthcare. On-device execution of GenAI LLMs has the potential to empower front-line workers with new capabilities so they can deliver new outcomes for their end customers. On-device AI can offer additional personalization as well as enhanced privacy and security as data remains on the device. It also drives faster performance and lower costs as GenAI searches on the cloud can be expensive. A whitepaper published by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. suggests that GenAI-based search cost per query is estimated to increase by ten times compared to traditional search methods. By removing the need to utilise the cloud, costs can be reduced. “Zebra’s devices are powerful platforms with cutting-edge software and AI models which we’re driving forward with our partner ecosystem to solve customer challenges and add value,” said Tom Bianculli, Chief Technology Officer, Zebra Technologies. “We’re taking GenAI to the mobile edge on-device and applying it to areas such as voice AI, computer vision, and machine vision software powered by deep learning as well as task and workflow software using orchestrated AI.” Potential use cases for LLMs include improving associate effectiveness by enhancing their product and customer service knowledge, acting as an efficient internal communications tool by answering employee queries on things like store policies, collecting and analysing feedback from associates to identify areas of improvement, enhancing productivity and increasing job satisfaction …

Qatar Airways Cargo has re-launched its Mail productwhich offers a comprehensive suite of customisable services designed for both traditional and hybrid postal modes – Express Mail, Priority Mail, Standard Mail and Empty Mail Receptacles. The Mail product meets the stringent regulatory standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). One of the enhancements for the product includes 100% EDI (electronic data interchange) that is rolled out at over 110 stations, with all stations equipped with handheld android scanners. Traditionally serving one customer per origin based on their unique post office identification (IMPC) code, the carrier’s Mail product can now cater to the requirements of targeted agents across the network. This allows Qatar Airways Cargo to accept mail shipments from multiple customers from the same origin, regardless of the IMPC code used. The award-winning cargo carrier also has specialised support teams in place with experience in mail allocations, pricing policies, sales and account management who ensure privacy, efficiency, safety, and security of all mail shipments. The carrier’s customers are also able to perform real-time tracking of their consignments right from the start until the end. Miguel Rodriguez Moreno, Head of Cargo Products at Qatar Airways said, “Our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in airfreight services is at the heart of this new Mail product. With our extensive global network spanning over 160 destinations including more than 70 freighter destinations, our aim is to provide a comprehensive solution. We are also fully prepared to facilitate paper-free initiatives for Postal Authorities when electronic CN/CP documents are available. Combined with hassle-free billing and reconciliation through IATA PASS and PARIS, as well as swift ramp transfers in …

Logi-Sys by Softlink Global, an integrated supply chain platform for seamless logistics management, has introduced a data analytics tool LogiBRAIN, designed specifically for the freight forwarding sector. LogiBRAIN, a customizable data analytics and reporting tool that is available as a value-added service to all Logi-Sys users, optimizing decision-making processes and fostering a data-driven organizational culture. How LogiBRAIN Works – Similar to other data analytics tools, LogiBRAIN extracts granular insights from the vast data that companies hold, giving decision-makers a comprehensive view of their business from Sales, Operational, and Financial perspectives. Enlisted are its features: 1. Real-Time Data Updation Real-time data updation in LogiBRAIN means that decisions are accurate, and taken in real time 2. Overview Dashboard Standardized report can be viewed via the Overview Dashboard that covers Monthly Performance, Branch Performance, Performance by LOB, Trade Lane, and more such key metrics 3. Advanced Filters These allow users to slice and dice the data by Transport Type, Transaction Type, Currency, Country, Branches, Time Periods, and more, letting them analyze any data point of interest with greater focus and clarity 4. Drill-Down Functionality ‘Click-and-dig’ drill down capabilities help decision-makers arrive at the root cause of any event of concern, speeding up the remediation processes 5. Customizable Reports Softlink Global is open to creating customized reports on user request Transforming Logistics Management: Benefits of LogiBRAIN 1. Enhanced Decision-making LogiBRAIN’s deep insights provide logistics professionals with a deeper understanding of their operations. This empowers them to make informed decisions based on real-time data and predictions, ensuring agility and adaptability in a rapidly changing market. 2. Optimized Routes and Operations With LogiBRAIN, businesses can optimize their routes, minimize delays, and reduce transportation costs by considering …

Qatar Airways Cargo commenced freighter operations to Warsaw, Poland, w.e.f October 1, 2023. Operating once a week to the capital of Poland, Qatar Airways Cargo offers 100 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity on its dedicated freighter, each way, says an official release. “Warsaw is currently the only station served by the airline in Poland with ten weekly passenger services. The addition of a dedicated freighter service from Warsaw will increase the total weekly cargo capacity to more than 200 tonnes. With the launch of freighters, businesses in Poland benefit from direct main deck freighter capacity for their imports and exports. The majority of the imports and exports consist of general cargo and perishables.” Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP, Cargo Sales and Network Planning, Qatar Airways Cargo says, “Qatar Airways Cargo has been serving Eastern Europe for many years, and is very pleased to announce freighters to Warsaw which will complement the passenger flights to this important city. The launch of this service will provide consistent and reliable freighter operations between Poland and Qatar.” In addition to Warsaw, Qatar Airways Cargo provides structural cargo capacity to and from Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia, the release added.

DP World has unveiled the new ‘Beyond Boundaries’ initiative, in partnership with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and the ICC, aimed at driving the growth of cricket around the world. This global mission will see DP World use its end-to-end network and logistics capabilities to distribute fifty repurposed shipping containers to grassroots cricket clubs around the world, each one kitted out with essential equipment. The first container was unveiled by new DP World Global Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar at NSCI, Mumbai. The first DP World container along with 40 cricket kits will be placed at the Chikhalikar Sports Club in Palghar, Maharashtra while another 210 kits will be presented to young cricketers from academies like Achrekar Cricket Academy, and Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy, to name a few. Included within each of the containers is 250 bespoke kits: each made up of a cricket bat, helmet, gloves and pads. Each container is multipurpose, also serving as a pavilion which includes an in-built scoreboard, sun protection and seating.

Wiremind is developing product enhancements that will bring artificial intelligence (AI) to cargo products along with direct contact with the user. Two use cases have been under scrutiny since this summer with a view to incorporate the capabilities of large language models into CARGOSTACK in 2024, says an official release. “The first use case will streamline the quotation management process for airline sales teams by directly populating key criteria from a forwarder’s written quotation request into CARGOSTACK’s quotation module. “The second use case will enhance CARGOSTACK’s recently released rules engine, which enables cargo teams to define custom rules for managing flights at scale across a range of parameters and conditions. While this currently requires users to write a short script within the application to define their custom rule, Wiremind is exploring the use of AI to assist users further by allowing them to describe their desired rule in written text, which AI will translate into the relevant script, for the user to subsequently validate, test and activate.”