To reconfigure a used 737-800 passenger plane for dedicated cargo service, EgyptAir is planning to add the first standard-size cargo jet to its fleet early next year after officially signing an agreement with Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers Inc. “The modification work will begin in October at authorized conversion center, commercial jet, also in Miami. “EgyptAir will own the plane and send it to Miami for installation of a wide cargo door, reinforced flooring and a cargo handling system, and other changes to enable container storage on the upper deck,” said an official release. Currently, EgyptAir owns and operates three Airbus A330-200 freighters, each with a payload capacity of 60 tonnes. Amr Abu El-Enein, Chairman and CEO, EgyptAir said, “This order is part of EgyptAir’s cargo and passenger fleet modernization plan. We will continue to increase the size of our fleet in the coming years to meet the growing needs of the local market in terms of exporting goods abroad, especially crops.”

Tripath Logistics felicitated with Fastest Growing Freight Forwarder-Air 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. Tripath Logistics is one of the fastest emerging logistical solution providers, specialized in delivering efficient, reliable and customer oriented comprehensive solutions tailored to customer’s needs. The company provides wide range of services, including airfreight, ocean freight, warehousing, and ground transportation.

dnata is planning to expand its operations at Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq with the opening of new and advanced cool chain and a bus maintenance facility for its fleets. It has reportedly invested $3.5m in the projects. dnata will further invest an additional $14m and add a 16,000 m² cargo warehouse to its infrastructure in Iraq, says an official release. “The new cool chain facility is capable of processing 10,000 tons of perishables annually including meat, fresh fruits, and pharmaceuticals. The facility was built and designed keeping in mind efficient product handling requirements and flexibility. In addition, dnata’s new cargo warehouse, likely to open in 2023, will enhance the company’s cargo offering in Iraq, the company said. “It will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo, with a special focus on pharma and other cool chain commodities, annually. The facility will be equipped with technologies including environmentally sustainable features such as water harvesting, low energy lighting and an all-electric forklift fleet,” added a release.

To strengthen air cargo offering, Air France-KLM Group and CMA CGM Group signed a 10-year long-term strategic agreement to combine their cargo networks, and full freighter capacity. Both the companies are committed to grow and invest sustainably in the air freight business in the coming years. “The agreement will have an initial duration of 10 years. Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of the respective airlines comprising a fleet of 10 full-freighter aircraft, and an additional combined 12 aircraft, which will be ordered later. The strategic commercial partnership is expected to generate significant revenue, and enhanced products and services,” read a company statement.

To double the airline’s freighter fleet, Saudi Arabian flag carrier, Saudia Cargo has selected start-up aviation engineering firm Mammoth Freighters to get seven passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions of the Boeing 777-300. “This development and investment is the latest example of industry confidence in air cargo’s growth potential during the next 20 years and its interest in a new long-haul product that can replace large 747 and MD-11 cargo jets,” confirms an official release. Initial P2F conversions will take place at Mammoth Freighter’s new overhaul facility in Texas. Jeddah based maintenance and repair organization, Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), would use Mammoth’s design to convert additional aircraft under the deal, the release read.

Translink Logistics was presented with the Best Performance as Freight Forwarder 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. Translink logistics is a well-established and reputed International Freight Forwarding Company based out of Chennai with Branches across major locations in India like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, Tuticorin, Vadodara and Vizag and overseas office in Sri Lanka.

The Colombian cargo airline, Avianca Cargo and Jettainer have signed a five-year agreement for carrier’s pallet management and maintenance services. As per the contract, the Bogota headquartered airline will receive different pallet types from Jettainer to cater to the needs of its growing fleet. “With 200 freighter flights per week, Avianca Cargo serves 65 destinations in the Americas and Europe. It specializes in transporting cut flowers from Latin America to North America. Jettainer will provide Avianca Cargo with all required pallets necessary for its fleet. The global ULD leader will completely manage, maintain, and repair all units with a dedicated team out of Dallas, Texas,” a company release said.

To boost global maritime transport, Singtel launches iSHIP, an all-in-one platform providing critical satellite-enabled connectivity and digital services for the maritime industry. iSHIP’s integrated services for fleet management gives ship operators great visibility and flexibility of their resources and operations and enables better vessel safety and operational efficiency. Ooi Seng Keat, VP, Carrier Services, Over-the-Top & Satellite, Group Enterprise, Singtel said, “Seas are our mode of global trade and transport. But the COVID-19 has thrown global supply chains and shipping operations in a disarray, driving crews accustomed to traditional or manual processing methods to navigate digital resources and applications. iSHIP has been designed to redress these particular challenges and give a solution for shipping firms that are giving pace to digital adoption and have decarbonisation and crew welfare high on their agenda.”

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) signed a MoU with L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, (WeSchool), Mumbai to launch a Post Graduate Programme in Foreign Trade Management (PGP-FTM) on 12 May 2022. The idea is to attract and promote qualified and skilled manpower in logistics and EXIM trade. The MoU was inked by Nandkishor Kagliwal, Regional Chairman, FIEO and Professor Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool. The MoU was signed to cater to the increasing demand in international trade ecosystem. The programme will broadly encompass the General Management Principles, Export Import Procedures, Foreign Trade Management Techniques, and International Marketing Concepts.

ECS Group’s subsidiary, Globe Air Cargo (GAC) Korea has been chosen as the Cargo General Sales Agency Agreement (GSA) to Korea’s hybrid carrier Air Premia, in its home market. In accordance with the signed GSA, GAC Korea fulfils daily operational duties for Air Premia, which include cargo sales, reservations, and ensuring the handling of regular and full charter flights, said an official release. H.E. Shin, CEO of Globe Air Cargo Korea, said in an official statement, “GAC Korea and Air Premia truly act as one team, since we have been there from the start of its inaugural passenger to cargo (P2C) flight out of Seoul to Singapore on 24 December 2021. We are proud to have the opportunity to support Air Premia at its homebase, as its first GSA since the airline was established in 2017 and we look forward to driving Air Premia’s success as it expands its network.”