Geodis has secured International Air Transport Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification in Hong Kong, as part of its continuous efforts to provide safety, security and compliance to customers and positions itself well to serve the growing demand of lithium batteries, which are increasingly being used in a wide variety of consumer goods, ranging from laptops, mobile phones to watches, vehicles and other devices. With its strategic location, Hong Kong is a critical hub for GEODIS and serves as a key gateway into Asia Pacific and Mainland China. Hong Kong’s proximity and ease of cross border transportation makes it an ideal hub enabling the logistics provider to meet its clients’ requirement for flexibility, convenience, and speed for their global shipments in or out of China.

Cargolux has brought Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Luxembourg Airport (lux-Airport) for the first time as the cargo airline works towards decarbonising its operations. In partnership with World Fuel Services, Neste, and Luxembourg Airport, Cargolux worked to achieve delivery of the bio-based fuel to Luxembourg Airport’s fuel farm via NATO’s Central European Pipeline System (CEPS). The SAF is from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, in compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) Directive.Using this SAF, Cargolux will operate a carbon neutral flight from Luxembourg to Zhengzhou, its biggest hub in mainland China. The 747-8F will land in Zhengzhou on time for a ceremony marking the 10th year since Cargolux first started operating services to Zhengzhou in 2014.

The current challenge faced in cargo movement at 11 Indian airports due to non-compliance with BCAS RA-3 regulations is a significant roadblock for the logistics and transportation industry. While the intention behind the regulations is commendable, the halt in cargo movement highlights the existing bottlenecks and roadblocks in the system, says Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers. “Coordination and collaboration between different entities in the logistics chain also pose challenges. Effective communication and establishing robust channels and standardized procedures along with information sharing are essential to ensure smooth cargo movement which can help mitigate the bottlenecks caused by the lack of coordination. The current roadblock in cargo movement at 11 Indian airports due to non-compliance with BCAS RA3 regulations highlights the need for increased awareness, improved infrastructure and enhanced coordination. Addressing these bottlenecks will be crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of cargo operations, maintain safety and security standards, and support the growth of the logistics industry in India,” he adds.

MOVIN adds Electric Vehicles (EV) to its fleet for first and last-mile deliveries. With the objective to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with its long-term sustainability goals, the deployment of the EVs begins with Delhi-NCR and will subsequently be covering Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Pune by end of 2023. The EVs were flagged off by JB Singh, Director MOVIN Express and Gregory Goba-Ble, Vice President for UPS in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa and Director for MOVIN Express from the Bilaspur Hub in Gurugram. JB Singh, Director, MOVIN Express said, “As a new age climate-conscious brand launched in 2022, we are excited to announce the introduction of commercial EVs as our first and last mile fleet in the five metros by December 2023. As a company, we deeply focus on our customers’ needs and our environmental impact, we recognize the immense potential of EVs in revolutionizing the way we approach transportation by road. By embracing this transition towards adopting an electric fleet from ICEs, we not only contribute to a cleaner and greener future but also enhance the efficiency and reliability of our logistics operations. This strategic initiative aligns perfectly with our core values, showcasing our unwavering dedication to delivering sustainable solutions. With every mile driven by our EVs, we reaffirm our commitment towards building a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future.”

V-Trans launched new-age tech-driven solution, “Complexity Simplified with Solution Design” designed to streamline and optimize supply chain operations. This is launched to provide unprecedented control, efficiency, and real-time visibility to clients. Commenting on this, Jay Shah, Head – Solution Design said, “V-Trans’ relentless focus on innovation and technology has propelled the company to stay ahead of the competition. This latest offering reaffirms their commitment to providing best-in-class solutions that empower clients in an ever-evolving business landscape. By investing in the logistics sector and continuously driving advancements, V-Trans aims to deliver even more transformative solutions in the years to come”.

Air Menzies International (AMI) will move to a new warehouse facility in Johannesburg as it looks to cater for ongoing demand growth in the country. The new facility is based less than 1 km from OR Tambo International Airport and will replace AMI’s existing facility on Aviation Park, Pomona. The move is scheduled for September 2023 and will “increase capacity, improve efficiency and support long-term growth in the region”, the company said. The building includes a 47,500 sq ft warehouse. “The introduction of a new, off-airport airfreight de-group warehouse for import customers will add to the wider range of freight services already on offer to the southern African market,” AMI said in a press release. “From the opening date, the new facility will be fully compliant with the relevant regulations from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, including Part 108, requiring all screening to be done on site.” The building will have solar panels installed on the roof to produce up to 80% of the facility’s electricity demand, as well as electric forklifts and 24/7 security and CCTV.

The rising trend of Grade A development continued to gain momentum in FY 2023 with developers increasingly focusing on higher grade park development compliant to contemporary norms and the higher throughput requirements of businesses today, said Knight Frank’s latest India Warehousing and Market Report 2023. In addition to the emerging focus on sustainable development, there is an increasing need for improving the aesthetics of these warehousing parks and enabling a better working environment. 59% of the supply coming online in FY 2023 across the eight primary markets was in Grade A properties compared to 55% in FY 2022. Six out of the eight markets have seen the share of grade A stock increase in FY 2023 compared to the previous year.

TVS Industrial & Logistics Parks (TVS ILP), part of TVS Mobility Group, has plans to invest $1 billion in developing 20 million square feet of infrastructure in 20 different warehousing parks in the country in the next three to four years. TVS ILP already has 11 logistics parks in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan with a cumulative space availability of 10 million sq. ft. The company currently has a 35 clients from across segments viz. FMCG, FMCD, 3PLS (third party logistics in supply chain management), CDE (Consumer Durables and Electronics), e-commerce, automotive and manufacturing.

The global air charter services market is slated to touch $53.65 billion at a 5.8% CAGR by 2032,(including passenger and cargo), says latest Market Research Future (MRFR) report, adding, charters are mainly utilised for time-sensitive and high-value freight transportation such as specialised cargo, oversized shipments, or urgent deliveries that are required immediately and cannot be accommodated by regular cargo airlines or by scheduled air cargo services. Charter capacity is also utilised when the demand for airfreight is high and the available capacity offered by commercial carriers is low and this situation particularly occurred during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The non-compliance of RA3 regulations has affected exporters especially from the fruits & vegetables fraternity who failed to meet their commitments to their respective buyers in UK/Europe during the ongoing Mangoes season, says Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo, adding since many airports which were convenient for the shippers to forward the goods, declined acceptance due to absence of RA3 approval. The concerns were raised from several quarters to many forums yet no resolutions could be achieved till date. Perhaps a determined intervention by the government with all the stakeholders could have yielded a positive outcome. The non-operations of much needed freighters from major Indian stations continues to remain elusive whereas the capacity constraints on the pax version aircraft go on unabated which is bound to retard the export momentum.”