With the focus on capitalising growth in the South American region, the Colombia-based carrier, Avianca Cargo is planning to add four new converted freighter aircraft. According to a press statement, the carrier would initially convert two A330-300 aircraft into freighters, but this could be expanded to four aircraft with additional A330P2Fs later. “If all four aircraft are converted, the orders would expand the carrier’s freighter capacity by 70 per cent between 2022 and 2024. The airline currently operates four A330-200F and one B767-300F. The extra aircraft would be used to boost capacity in the Colombian and Ecuadorian export markets, and in the import markets to South America from the US. These actions are part of the airline’s strategic plan and its commitment to strengthen direct connections between North America and Latin America,” the statement added.

Mumbai Cargo Service Center (CSC) was conferred with the Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator-Cold Chain Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards, the country’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation presented the award. Cargo Service Center (CSC) India is a premier air cargo handling company with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. CSC provides Airports Services, Cool Chain Logistics and Consultancy Services which are customized to suit the requirements of clients. Mumbai Airport, CSC operates and manages the Perishable Cargo Terminal, two general cargo warehouses as well as the Courier Cargo Terminal.

LATAM Group welcomed a new Boeing 767 BCF, the third of the four conversions that they will receive by the end of the year. Additionally, the group announced the incorporation of another Boeing 767F in September of 2022, said an official statement. “LATAM’s cargo subsidiaries are planning to finish the year with 16 freighters. To this fleet will be added six Boeing 767 BCFs, which they will receive during 2023. Together LATAM’s dedicated cargo fleet will be between 19 and 22 cargo aircraft by 2023,” the statement added. The new Boeing 767BCF received this weekend, will be used to transport flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, and strengthen and expand the network’s destinations in the United States and Europe.

With focus on improving domestic supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on the international supply chains for EXIM trade, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said, “Procure locally wherever there is an opportunity so that domestic supply chains are strengthened and become more resilient and dependence on international supply chains is curbed, despite the Covid-19 constraints, which caused massive supply chain disruptions.” He was addressing the ‘Breakfast Session Discussion on Trade 4.0’ in Davos, Switzerland. The minister added that during the pandemic, Indian businesses had displayed resilience, overshooting export targets and achieving USD 421.8 billion worth of exports. Goyal said, “India had responded to every crisis in a timely manner. This responsiveness is a manifestation of the resilience that Indian businesses have to offer and the resilience and confidence of political leadership.”

Aircraft leasing company, World Star Aviation has officially announced the purchase of 30 Boeing 737-400F aircraft with leases attached. World Star Aviation manages, buys, sells, and leases commercial aircraft for the international aviation industry. According to the statement, “The aircraft portfolio is spread across 10 lessees in 12 countries worldwide. This new acquisition reinforces the continued strategy of diversifying and expanding our global freighter franchise in partnership with Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. We at World Star Aviation are excited to work with and support our new lessees going forward.”

Integrated Service Solutions Global Forwarding (ISSGF) India was conferred with the Best Ocean Freight Forwarding Company Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards, the country’s topmost supply chain awards, which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation presented the award. ISSGF is a globally recognised supply chain solutions provider, headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The company offers best-in-class services in all areas of the supply chain and logistics industry.

To continue with the company’s efforts to reduce environmental impact, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has launched a sustainability programme titled ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path.’ This initiative is an integral part of the company’s Environmental, Social and Government (ESG) strategy and comprises targets, actions, and milestones to be achieved by 2030-end, including achieving 75 per cent electric ground support equipment, signing the UN Global Compact and full adoption of biodegradable plastics, said a press release. Craig Smyth, Chief Executive, WFS said, ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ provides us with a social and governance strategy which looks after our people, customers, and planet, and is true to our WFS core values.”

To deliver faster transit times and better service in mainland Penang, Perlis, and Kedah, DHL Express Malaysia has officially opened its new Prai Service Centre in Batu Kawan, Penang, on 17 May 2022. The new facility, which is five times the size of its previous location, occupies almost 2,400 sq. mts. of warehousing and office space. It is equipped with a solar panel system and energy-efficient infrastructure to cut the release of greenhouse gases by 26.9 per cent. Julian Neo, MD, DHL Express Malaysia, and Brunei said, “The boom in online shopping, social media, and express shipping led to record increases in our international inbound and outbound volumes. The positive trajectory is likely to endure as these trends prove their staying power and air cargo availability gradually returns to normalcy.”

The Port of Gangavaram is planning to set up its first container terminal to accelerate the growth of cargo business in Andhra Pradesh and surrounding industrial hubs. The terminal is expected to be completed by 2023. According to an official statement, the new terminal aims to increase supply chain efficiency and resiliency, reduce logistics costs, and turnaround time. The port also aims to offer substantial advantages to the industries in the hinterland – which include seafood, metal and minerals, agriculture, pharma, chemical, and refractory amongst others. “As part of the project, the port has already received three Ship to Shore (STS) container cranes and nine e-Rubber-Tyred Gantries (RTGs). Our new container terminal at Gangavaram Port will help us diversify into container cargo business as part of our strategic roadmap to achieve better cargo handling capacities in India. The upcoming terminal at Gangavaram Port shall also offer integrated logistics solutions to trade and industries far across the country,” the statement added.

To focus on the development of ship-to-shore infrastructure at Singapore’s only multi-purpose cargo port, Jurong Port, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure developer and operator of drone delivery services, Skyports, and Jurong Port have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It is a vital step forward in the development of large-scale drone delivery operations in Singapore. The MoU will highlight Skyports’ global experience in developing take-off and landing infrastructure for cargo drone deliveries to probe how drone delivery technology may be incorporated into Singapore’s Jurong Port’s existing logistics and cargo ops.