Saudia Cargo has signed a new global rental agreement with Tower Cold Chain. The carrier added the agreement to its approved providers of temperature-controlled containers for shipping pharmaceutical, biotech and life science products, said release. “The deal reinforces Saudia Cargo’s commitment to having the broadest possible selection of cold chain products (both in terms of cargo size and temperature requirements) to serve the growing requirements of pharmaceutical customers from around the world,” the release added. Adel Elshazly global product manager at Saudia Cargo said, “A key benefit of Tower Cold Chain’s technology is its reliability in maintaining product integrity without the need of electricity even in extreme heat, meaning that a solution is required to prevent temperature excursions. Given these conditions, we have an extra duty of care to customers to ensure due diligence in choosing our pharmaceutical cold chain partners. Tower’s passive solutions are proven to maintain temperatures up to 120 hours, without any need for intervention or external power.”

The CMA CGM Group announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the transportation and logistics activities held through Bolloré Logistics. The negotiations are in line with the CMA CGM Group’s long-term strategy, based on the two pillars of shipping and logistics. The Group’s strategy is to offer end-to-end solutions in support of its customer’s supply chain needs. If a deal is reached, the acquisition would further strengthen the CMA CGM Group logistics activities. The negotiations in no way guarantee an acquisition in the end, said CMA CGM’s official post on Linkedin.

IndoSpace launched two new logistics parks, one in Dhatir, near Palwal and the other in Taoru, near Sohna further strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region (NCR). With a development potential of over 3.4 million square feet, these parks offer superior infrastructure, amenities, and versatile solutions, making them an ideal choice for warehousing and regional distribution needs. The parks are adjacent to several important highways like the NH – 919 with direct access to the upcoming DME (Delhi Mumbai Expressway), WDFC (Western Dedicated Freight Corridor), and DND-Faridabad- EPR/KMP Expressway – all expected to be fully operational by 2025. Convenient access to such key logistics infra enables these locations to become warehousing hotspots with pan-India serviceability. Rajesh Jaggi, Vice Chairman – Real Estate, Everstone Group, said, “From a warehousing perspective, NCR is a crucial location for us. With the region acting as a gateway to the North market and home to several industries and opportunities, we are strategically expanding our network in Taoru and Dhatir. Going forward, we aim to keep up the momentum with these state-of-the-art logistics parks and we are sure that these new parks will play a vital role in propelling the growth of various sectors including Pharma, 3PL, e-commerce, distribution, and retail.”

Drone tech startup TSAW Drones has announced a strategic partnership with Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine to initiate a first-of-its-kind B2C medicine drone delivery service in Kolkata. The vision behind the collaboration is to provide swift and efficient delivery of medicines to patients at their doorsteps while also cutting down on the delays caused by road traffic. The Hind Motor warehouse of Kanhaiya Medical shall avail of the innovative service of drone-assisted parcel pickup to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transportation process for their vital medical supplies to a diverse range of recipients, including local residents, law enforcement personnel, and loyal patrons. The said parcels shall be conveyed to the Howrah drone hub of TSAW Drones, whereupon the final leg of the journey shall be undertaken by TSAW’s skilled bikers, who shall ensure the seamless delivery of the parcels to their respective destinations. Arpit Sharma, AVP of TSAW Drones, said “TSAW Drones is honored to join hands with Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine in introducing cutting-edge drone technology to the healthcare sector in Kolkata. Our pioneering business-to-consumer (B2C) medicine drone delivery service will herald a paradigm shift in the way medical supplies are transported to those requiring them, guaranteeing swifter, more streamlined, and more secure transportation. We are excited to be at the forefront of this innovative approach to healthcare delivery and look forward to improving the lives of many in the Kolkata community.”

Antonov Airlines has transported a power supply skid on board one of its AN-124 aircraft – the largest single piece of cargo transported by the airline. The power supply skid was flown from Tekirdag, Turkey to Hamburg, Germany on board of one of the airline’s AN-124-100-150 aircraft in conjunction with project management firm Rolf Riedl. The prefabricated Siemens Energy sub-station used as a power distribution centre was required for Germany’s first LNG terminal to provide energy to German homes. The “E-house” was transported in the container measuring 19 m in length, 4.2 m in width and 4 m in height. To load the oversized container a loading ramp developed by the in-house Antonov team was used in conjunction with external cranes. Andrii Nazarenko, flight manager, Antonov Airlines, said: “The major task was a precise installation of low-profile loading ramp required especially for this mission. Thanks to a professional approach, the Antonov team ensured safe loading and unloading at airports under the supervision of a Siemens Energy representative.” The floating LNG terminal is scheduled to go into operation in Elbe port.

UPS sees immense opportunity in intra-Asia trade and aims to help small businesses in the region with its supply chain services. A recent study published on intra-Asia trade provides insights into the needs of regional businesses which it can use to help its customers plan better. “As the world’s largest package delivery company, it’s our job to help simplify the move into international trade for small business so they can capitalise on this opportunity while also staying focused on building a healthy, profitable business,” said UPS. “By helping more businesses succeed in international trade, we hope to create an ecosystem of opportunity, profitability and growth in the long term.” Released last year, UPS’ ‘Clearing the Runway for Intra-Asia Trade’ study found the value of Singapore’s trade with 11 other major Asian markets could grow by over 50% to $13.5trn by 2030, and small business play a significant part in this. Across the 12 markets, the four segments driving the surge in intra-Asia trade are retail, industrial manufacturing and automotive (IM&A), high-tech, and healthcare, found the study. These segments accounted for 76% of Singapore’s trade with the rest of Asia, and 75% of total intra-Asia trade in 2020. However, UPS said multi-stakeholder action is required to tackle the impact of geopolitical tensions and restrictive trade policies across Asia – including tariffs and other punitive measures – that could impact its long-term trade prospects. UPS said three key actions that can be taken include digitalising completely, diversifying supply chains and promoting the integration of MSMEs (micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises) into regional supply chains. The findings of the study also support UPS’ efforts to work with government on facilitating trade, the company …

The Indian road logistics industry is expected to clock a high single-digit growth this fiscal on an elevated base of the previous year, ICRA report said. The credit ratings agency also expects the demand momentum to continue in FY24, aided by stable domestic consumption and investment demand, ICRA added. The Indian road logistics industry’s revenue growth is pegged at a high single-digit on an elevated base of FY2023, Icra said, adding that the outlook is stable. The downside risks to the estimates remain from any material tapering of demand due to high inflationary and interest rate regime, the emergence of any further Covid waves, or a sub-par monsoon impacting the overall economic health, given its strong linkage to economic activity on an aggregate basis, it said.According to ICRA, quarterly revenues for the logistics sector witnessed a marginal contraction of 2 per cent in Q3 FY23, compared to the earlier quarter of the same year.

Air Cargo Consolidation Facility Centre launched at one of the leading Industrial Hub in Goa (Verna) in collaboration with GMR Cargo (GMR Goa Air Cargo) and Amber Airways Cargo. It is one of its kind unique Logistics initiatives extended to facilitate the industry stakeholders for making seamless Air Cargo transportation. Amber Airways Cargo announced its commencement of Consolidation Services from Verna (Goa) on schedule Road Feeder Transportation with all facilities like Truck Dock, Storage, Loading unloading base, fully secured CCTV surveillance with GPS tracking of Road Feeder Transportation & Handling equipment which makes it a game changer to plug the challenges of transporting goods connecting South Goa to North Goa and its nearby catchment areas. This in turn would enable the forwarders to significantly reduce the transportation cost associated along with hassle free and seamless cargo movement. This is the first steppingstone to achieve the vision of reducing Transportation cost and easy multi-fold network connectivity joining small & big consignments along with commercial viability. T. Purushottam Singh, Business Head of GMR Goa Air Cargo speaks, “With the development of transportation services, there would be an immense scope of diversion of International Cargo which is going through surface to air. MoPA would provide a platform wherein cargo movement to Mumbai & Bangalore via road would see them land up at GOX and reach their destination in most convenient way. Goa and its adjacent areas play a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry. Around 60% of the cargo volume shipped from Goa airport consists of Pharma products. Under such environment, progressive strategy for handling Pharma shipments is the need of the hour. These are temperature controlled critical products with high value in …

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s SF Airlines to expand network. The MoU will enable the UAE’s national carrier to expand its reach into China via SF Airline’s extensive in-country network,” said an official release from Etihad. The partnership will provide Etihad Cargo’s customers with greater connectivity to 25 domestic destinations in China via SF Airlines’ road feeder service trucking network, further enhancing Etihad Cargo’s capabilities in the region, the release added. This MoU is the latest step by Etihad Cargo in expanding its operations in China and will see the carrier utilising SF Airlines’ Chinese network to transport cargo to other destinations in China via the Chinese carrier’s Hubei Province mega hub. Etihad Cargo will operate the flights on a Boeing 777 freighter with services commencing on April 28, 2023 in line with this partnership. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Cargo, Etihad Airways says: “Etihad Cargo is committed to establishing partnerships that add value to customers across the supply chain. Strengthening the connection between Abu Dhabi and and one of SF Airlines’ major Chinese hubs will enable Etihad Cargo’s customers to benefit from SF Airlines’ exhaustive distribution capabilities in China, and SF Airlines will reap the benefits of Etihad Cargo’s global network for its express product. Etihad Cargo is committed to the country’s ambitious growth vision, and this partnership supports the further development of Abu Dhabi as a major logistics and express hub for the region.”

ESR Group has acquired 38 acres of land in Gujarat and will invest Rs 400 crore to develop an industrial and warehousing park. The project, located at Sanand in Gujarat, will have a development potential of 1 million square feet, the company said. ESR Group will invest about Rs 400 crore for construction and development. This will be ESR’s second investment in Gujarat. It had made its first investment at Jalisana, a 37-acre project. Abhijit Malkani, the CEO of ESR India, said this new park will add to the state’s flourishing industrial ecosystem. “Gujarat attracts one of the highest foreign direct investments in India and is currently turning into an EV (electrical vehicle) battery manufacturing and assembly centre,” he said. The availability of Grade A infrastructure in a strategic location like Sanand is essential for the region’s industrial growth and will add to its EV manufacturing capacity, Malkani said. ESR said there are 25 multinational and 300 domestic companies in this region across various sectors, including automobile, auto ancillaries, FMCG, engineering, plastics, packaging, and electronics. This project aims to create a focused space for established and emerging EV manufacturing and ancillary units to expand their presence in Ahmedabad, the company added.