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.”

Sampark India Logistics was conferred with the Best Multimodal Transport & Logistics 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. While receiving the award, Sanjay P Rathi, CMD said, “We at Sampark India have been able to register growth in all categories of services. Our growth strategies include targeting growth in the warehousing sector, scaling up the transportation business for Eastern India from different parts of the country and vic versa. Network expansion across India has been accorded priority and venturing into contract manufacturing would play a major role.”

To improve supply chain performance, CMA CGM has launched an industry first early container return incentive programme at the FMS terminal in Los Angeles and at its return locations in Dallas, Chicago, Memphis, and Kansas City. The 60-day incentive programme started on 16 May 2022 will continue until July 15 2022. “It will assist in putting back 43,000 dry containers into circulation within four days of pick-up. Clients are expected to receive a $300 credit per dry container returned to eligible locations during calendar days one to four. Followed by a calculation of incentive credits, which will be carried out on a weekly basis with a credit memo issued every 14 days to each applicable importer,” said a company release. Ed Aldridge, President, CMA CGM and APL North America, said, “We are committed to doing everything to increase the fluidity and velocity of America’s supply chain. Our new programme will result in an incentive credit for our importers, improve equipment availability for our exporters and expedite the flow of goods into and out of America’s heartland.”

India has been considering entering into a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Oman, said Piyush Goyal, The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles at the 10th Meeting of India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) in New Delhi recently. The minister added that India had been looking at a comprehensive trade agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, of which Oman is an important member. Talking about recently held Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) the minister stated that despite close relations, the bilateral trade and investment in the two nations were yet to reach maximum potential. The minister also invited Government of Oman to increase their pharma trade with India. “Our pharma companies will bring quality products at competitive prices to consumers in Oman and help bring down the cost of healthcare,” said the minister and thanked Oman for agreeing to fast-track approvals for the Indian medicines that had already been cleared by strong regulatory environments like UK, EU, and USA.