Chicago Rockford International (RFD) is targeting further growth in the pharma trade from India after recently welcoming its first shipment of the type from the country. The first shipment was undertaken by India-based pharma specialist forwarder Penta Freight India on behalf of a pharma company based in the country, said reports. The shipment was flown from Mumbai to Frankfurt and then transferred through Maersk’s hub at the airport before being flown to RFD on a Maersk Air Cargo/Magma Boeing 747-400F scheduled freighter flight. The airport said upon landing, the cargo was taken directly from the aircraft into an Xperts Group Reefer Truck by Menzies Aviation before being transported to the Chicago area for breakdown. The Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Good Storage Practice (GSP) pharma import process at RFD avoids airside air cargo building handling, RFD added.

Accordng to latest updates by Xeneta, air cargo spot rates were sky high in August as demand and capacity imbalances continued, flanked by additional e-commerce and Red Sea shipping disruption-related demand. Average spot rates showed their largest year-on-year growth of 24%, according to the latest monthly analysis by Xeneta. Global average air cargo spot rates were recorded at $2.68 per kg in August. Meanwhile, global cargo supply grew at its slowest ratio in 2024 to date, at 2% year on year, while global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising 11%.  In terms of dynamic load factor – Xeneta’s measurement of capacity utilisation based on volume and weight of cargo flown alongside available capacity – the supply/demand imbalance led to the global load factor increasing four percentage points year on year to 58% in August. Additionally, there were ocean-to-air shift due to Red Sea disruptions and e-commerce continued to show strong growth ahead of the fourth-quarter peak season.

Alibaba-owned Cainiao Group has revealed its plans to add more global e-commerce logistics hubs (e-Hubs) that are likely to boost air cargo volumes. The e-commerce logistics giant said in a statement that the new facilities would create a shared infrastructure “that supports all e-commerce platforms, merchants, and brands in their efforts to sell both online and offline worldwide.” They would also be part of the firm’s initiative to achieve its long-term goal of global deliveries within 72 hours, said reports.

Active Freight Logistics successfully handled an odd-dimension cargo, 6 x 40′ Flat Rack Containers from Shanghai to Chennai. “Active Freight Logistics efficiently managed the freight forwarding process for this complex project cargo, ensuring a seamless journey up to Chennai, India,” said its official Linkedin Post.  

UPS is all set to acquire Germany-based healthcare logistics firm Frigo-Trans for an undisclosed amount to boost its healthcare cold-chain facilities in Europe, said company statement. Frigo-Trans network includes temperature-controlled warehousing and freight forwarding capabilities, as well as a pan-European cold chain transportation solution, the statement added. Under the deal, UPS will also buy Frigo-Trans’ sister company BPL. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, the package delivery firm said.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Vadodara to enhance the logistics capabilities of personnel and align with national development plans such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022. The agreement was formalised in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The MoU will focus on developing higher expertise in logistics, enabling the Indian Army and Air Force to build in-house proficiency across various logistics operations. This initiative supports the national goal of self-reliance in defense and aims to improve the efficiency of logistics systems, which are crucial for rapid mobilization and resource allocation.  

“Recognising the potential of air cargo, we have embarked on the development of dedicated air freight corridors, the implementation of digital processes like e-airway bills and investments in the state-of-the-art cargo terminals and our goal has always been to make India a global cargo hub by enhancing connectivity, reducing turnaround time and improving efficiency,”  said Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu Civil Aviation minister,  at the recently concluded Global Aviation and Air Cargo Summit, organised by PHDCCI in New Delhi. The minister also emphasised the need of more freighters as most of the cargo in India is being carried out in bellies of the aircraft. “We must think about why we don’t have enough freighters. With the kind of population that we have today, we are lacking on it. Most of the cargo that we are doing today is by belly cargo only. It obviously has its own challenges. Now, we must move into the idea of having our own freight corridors, freight carriers, at least between the metro cities domestically, so that there is a network already created in terms of air cargo, there is a system that is being handled,” he added.

  Mark your calendar for India’s highly anticipated and power-packed show on cold chain storage and transportation, Cold Chain Unbroken (CCUB) 2024 set to be held on 19-20 September at Novotel Hyderabad. The key points of discussion will include cold chain storage, handling and transportation, adequate infrastructure and skilled manpower for ground handling and transportation of products such as pharma and perishables, tech integration, government policies to facilitate EoDB and a lot more. Several industry stalwarts and stakeholders, including airports, airlines, freight forwarders, shipping lines, trucking companies, custodians are expected to take part in the show. The two-day event will provide a platform to meet and exchange ideas and collaborate.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has joined hands with Airbus to expand aviation and logistics education in Assam, thereby enhancing the socio-economic landscape of the northeastern region. The collaboration follows productive discussions with officials from the Assam Government’s Transport, Skill, and Industries Departments. To this effect, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was signed between Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, and Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director at Airbus India Private Limited.

  Challenge Group is now IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certified, in addition to its existing IATA CEIV Pharma and IATA CEIV Live accreditations previously awarded to Challenge Airlines and Challenge Handling in Liège. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 1.3 million shipments of lithium batteries are transported by air annually. They also estimate that about 5% of air cargo shipments include lithium batteries, in addition to other electronics and mail parcels. And those are just the shipments officially declared as containing these batteries. “At Challenge Group, we are very concerned with detecting mis-declared or undeclared Lithium Battery shipments and therefore make certain that our people are trained in what to look out for,” Yossi Shoukroun, Chief Executive Officer of Challenge Group, says. “We are proud that our efforts have been officially recognised and that we may now carry the IATA CEIV Lithium Battery seal of approval as a visible demonstration to customers that their DGR shipments are in the best of hands, including the ones under UN3090 and UN3480. Thank you to the IATA CEIV Lithium Battery auditors for their commendations and feedback as we continue to ensure the highest level in handling standards.” “As the numbers of lithium batteries being shipped globally continues to increase, it’s essential these vital items are transported safely and efficiently. IATA’s CEIV Lithium Batteries was established to raise standards, spread best practice, and ensure regulatory compliance across the supply chain. We commend Challenge Group for achieving CEIV lithium battery certification. This gives customers total confidence in Challenge Group’s world-class performance and quality credentials for lithium battery shipments,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA Global Head of Cargo. Safety in the workplace is ensured …