GEODIS has has strengthened its air freight temperature-controlled pharma shipments capabilities in Asia Pacific and Middle East (APAC&ME) with the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification. The certification covers multiple locations in China (PVG), Indonesia (CGK), India (DEL & BOM), South Korea (ICN), Thailand (BKK), United Arab Emirates (DXB) and Singapore (SIN). This certification supports GEODIS’ strategic goals of establishing Pharma Healthcare as a key organizational vertical and expanding its global network by accrediting sites in numerous countries throughout the APAC region. According to Onno Boots, Regional President and CEO of GEODIS for APAC and Middle East, “With the CEIV Pharma accreditation, we can ensure our customers of our competence and commitment to handle pharmaceutical temperature-sensitive products with the utmost care and attention. Pharmaceutical businesses need to find logistics solutions that are dependable and effective, and GEODIS is in a perfect position to offer them the best services in the area.” This series of certifications is a reflection of the tremendous investment GEODIS has made in guaranteeing the highest levels of quality and compliance in its Pharma Healthcare capabilities. “Without a doubt, we are responding to the healthcare industry’s demand for options in the selection of global supply chain partners and we look forward to establishing GEODIS as a key service provider for pharma and healthcare companies, particularly in Asia Pacific and Middle East where we see the key hubs of production and distribution”, adds Boots. The CEIV Pharma certification for GEODIS further demonstrates its dedication to offering customers supply chain transparency and visibility. GEODIS can provide customers with shipment location and temperature data using GPS data loggers controlled by a control tower, enabling …

ECU Worldwide’s digital logistics platform – ECU360, has launched a new digital air freight service to streamline the shipping process for businesses of all sizes. The service is yet another value-added offering to ECU360’s customers based in US, leveraging technology to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of air freight operations. ECU Worldwide has already provided air freight services to 780 US customers, exporting to 310 airports across 174 countries. The company has built a platform that streamlines the entire air freight process, from Quoting to Booking, including real-time tracking and live schedules. Through this latest technology, the company aims to offer a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective way to move goods globally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, air freight accounts for approximately 35% of the total value of U.S. international shipments. However, traditional air freight processes can be slow, lack efficiency, and are costly, making it challenging for businesses to move their goods quickly and cost-effectively. Jitesh Shetty, Global Head – ECU360, ECU Worldwide, said, “With the success of Domestic Trucking service, we are confident that our new digital air freight service will be a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline their shipping process and also have an alternate shipping medium as an option. With the gaping opportunity in the US market, opening air freight services to customers on ECU Worldwide’s digital logistics platform – ECU360 is the right strategic move, as this will fulfil the urgent needs of businesses to transport high-value equipment, perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and other time-sensitive cargo quickly and efficiently, contributing to the growth of various industries and the U.S. economy. We are strong on LCL network and will soon launch air imports …

Qatar Airways Cargo expands cargo network as the carrier has introduced direct freighter service from Bogotá, capital of Colombia to Dallas Fort Worth in Texas. The once weekly Boeing 777 freighter departs from Bogota on Mondays and flies to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The freighter offers close to 100 tonnes of cargo capacity and will be transporting perishables like flowers, fruits, vegetables, coffee, as well as live animals, machinery and other general cargo destined for DFW. Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said: “The Americas is highly important for us and we have a strong presence in the region. Through this enhancement on the route, we are pleased to grow our existing partnership with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Our customers in DFW now benefit from a direct freighter service to uplift perishables and other cargo directly from Colombia.” John Ackerman, EVP of Global Strategy and Development at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport added: “Qatar’s service direct from Bogota to DFW reduces transit times for high-quality perishable goods by two to three days, extending shelf life for retailers and providing fresher products for consumers. This route adds a vital link to South American markets, enhances our global air cargo network and strengthens our ability to flow goods between Latin America and Asia.” Since the first Boeing 777 freighter took off from Doha to Chicago in August 2010, Qatar Airways Cargo has expanded its network across several countries in the American continent. The carrier serves the Americas with freighters as well as belly-hold cargo flights, flying to 14 freighter destinations and 14 belly-hold cargo destinations. The world’s leading cargo carrier offers more than 5,300 metric tonnes of …

EXZOD India is expected to deliver an additional 10 lakh pallets in the next three years from the current delivery of over 8 lakh pallets, which would take the company’s pallets count to 18 lakhs and make the company a leading pallet manufacturer in the country. EXZOD will facilitate this delivery from four of its manufacturing plants located in Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana and Telangana which are equipped with state-of-the-art automatic pallet manufacturing machines. This makes the company pan India pallet manufacturing and enhances the delivery and servicing capabilities of the company. This would further enable the company to consolidate its position to sign large brands, logistic parks and other 4 PL companies who have pan India presence and this would act as an entry barrier for new entrants. According to Nitin Kalla, founder & MD, EXZOD India, “We foresee a huge demand for pallets from a cross-section of industrial sectors be it pharma, automobile, FMCG, logistics, supply chain and other industries. Our early estimates indicate that over 10 lakh pallets will be required in the next three years. We are confident of meeting this demand.” Kalla further adds, “As Indian businesses get integrated with global supply chains, there is a huge potential from Indian companies, especially Small and Medium Enterprises to scale up and this itself will lead to a demand in pallets.”

Air cargo digital marketplaces have added new features making it possible for logistics companies managing imports to instantly book export shipments from agents in another country without the hassle and time-zone delays of shopping quotes by phone and email. It’s another level of connectivity for online booking portals that enable freight forwarders to search, compare and book cargo space across multiple airlines in real time. The simplified booking process is valued by logistics professionals, but some worry they could lose business if multilateral distribution channels open their systems to non-accredited intermediaries or directly to cargo owners themselves, said reports. Cargo.one announced an upgrade designed to streamline freight forwarders’ overseas bookings that require a partner to execute. WebCargo, a Freightos company, last week said that airfreight wholesalers in China for the first time can now sell space to freight agents just like 33 airline partners. The third-party platforms, along with rival CargoAI, allow airlines to market their capacity in one place. Forwarders can quickly compare live rates and availability and then electronically book shipments — much like travelers shop for airline seats, hotels and rental cars on Kayak or Priceline. The advantage of automatically connecting forwarders’ transportation management systems with airline reservation systems is more predictable, transparent pricing and capacity information that can be confirmed instantly compared to shopping static rates, added various reports.

Coldman Logistics announces the commencement of its new all purpose warehouse of 9,000 Pallets capacity near JNPT Port, with this launch Coldman logistics is now available at 14 cities with 1,00,000+ Pallets position across the country, said company’s official Linkedin Post. “Our new facility is equipped with the latest technology, providing us with the capacity to store more products and streamline our operations. This expansion is a result of our dedication to providing exceptional service to our customers and our commitment to meeting your evolving needs. The warehouse is strategically located just 11 KM away from JNPT Port, making it easier for us to access major transportation routes, EXIM cargos ultimately resulting in faster and more reliable deliveries. Our new facility is an environmentally conscious facility, with sustainable practices implemented throughout our operations. This includes energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and an efficient use of resources, which aligns with our company’s commitment to sustainability. We continue to offer our customers, the same high-quality products and services that is synonymous with our name, but with improved efficiency and speed. We are grateful for your continued trust in our brand, and we look forward to serving you from our new facility,” the post added.

India’s ecommerce logistics industry is set to exceed 10 billion parcels by FY28, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants. The industry recorded over 4 billion parcels in FY23, with new categories, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, and continued growth in Tier II and beyond cities driving the growth. The report also noted that while the e-logistics market saw increased competition and pressure on yields from ecommerce players, the long-term outlook for the industry remained positive. The overall ecommerce logistics opportunity is projected to grow at a minimum compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20%, with the D2C segment emerging as a strong growth area. D2C brands, including online-first new-age brands from Indian players, are expected to grow overall GMV at 35% in the next few years. A total of $33 billion of GMV is expected to be generated from D2C brands across all channels by CY27, the report noted, opening up an opportunity for logistics players with relevant and customised offerings for D2C brands. The report identified Delhivery as the largest player in the e-logistics industry, offering a wide range of services for D2C brands and a fast-growing non-ecommerce business that makes it more resilient in the face of recent macro trends in the ecommerce space.

Cathay Cargo has enhanced its integrated mail platform with Cathay Mail, a refined digital solution that re-envisages the mail-shipment process, generating greater transparency for post offices and providing the track-and-trace visibility their customers expect. With Cathay Mail, Cathay Cargo is able to provide a superior customer experience that better caters to the requirements of post offices for shipment visibility, reliability and speed. Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Cathay Mail highlights how we have adapted technology and digitalisation to offer real benefits to our customers. By fully integrating mail-handling functions with our cargo operations and expertise, our innovative new mail solution provides a sophisticated suite of tools and facilities to support our postal partners.” Cathay Cargo’s refreshed “mail as cargo” solution integrates mail-handling data with air cargo systems using the PAWB – the postal air waybill. This use of electronic data interchange (EDI) technology removes much of the previous shipment paperwork and gives both origin and destination post offices, and designated operators, more visibility of shipments down to mail bag (or “receptacle”) level, allowing them to offer package-level track-and-trace visibility to e-commerce shippers. The information also enables Cathay Cargo to manage capacity against actual volumes of mail on flights, so it can make allowances for surges in ad hoc demand or make unused space available for other cargo. There is an additional benefit for mail heading to Europe where, by making the information available in advance, mail shipments will be compliant with the European Union’s new ICS2 customs requirements, which are being introduced this year. Thanks to the digital data available from the PAWB, it is now easier not only to reconcile shipments for billing, but also to measure performance. Cathay …

The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is gearing up to be transformed into a major cargo destination in South India with the construction of its dedicated international cargo terminal nearing completion, said reports. The terminal will be inaugurated in September, and it will augment the airport’s international cargo handling capacity by minimum 100 tonnes, said reports. Currently the airport handles 150 tonnes of cargo of international sector, the new terminal is expected to expand the capacity to 250 tonnes. The terminal will have modern facilities and technologies in terms of packaging, warehousing, cargo handling and storage.

Skyways Group is now the first Indian forwarder to be one of the ‘Global Partners’ of Saudia Cargo, Skyways Group announced in an official Linkedin post. “Our longstanding relationship with Saudia Cargo goes back three decades. Over these years, this leading business partner has been one of our strongest associates and played a pivotal role in our success story. I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire team of Saudia Cargo and their GSA in India ECS Group for their support over years to us and the trust they have shown in brand Skyways. We look forward to accomplishing great milestones together,” the post added. Commenting on the development, Yashpal Sharma MD, Skyways Group said, “Skyways Group is delighted to sign their 1st Global partnership agreement with an airline – Saudia Cargo. Ever since we were formed in 1983, we have been focusing on our carrier relationships. We have built great partnerships over the last 3 decades with few major international airlines. Our partnerships have helped us to be a market leader in India and also expand our footprint in 42 cities in 6 countries. We moved over 60,000 tons with our airline partners around the world in the year gone by. Skyways Group has a longstanding and fabulous business relationship with Saudia Cargo. We have been working closely for the last 3 decades in the Indian airfreight market. With this agreement Skyways will get a preferred pricing and capacity access across the globe on Saudia network. This will enable us to offer more comprehensive solutions to our customers ranging from any city-pair across the globe. We do look to further add value to Saudia by being their …