CMA CGM Air Cargo has launched a new freighter route between Paris, France and Mumbai, India, as part of its new partnership with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP). The freighter airline, which received its air carrier certificate from the French Civil Aviation Authority in June last year, said it began serving the route with an A330F aircraft undertaking four weekly flights from May 12. “Bombay (Mumbai) airport is a major hub offering adapted infrastructures for intermodal connections in the region,” said CMA CGM. “This new destination is part of our strategic partnership with the Air France KLM Martinair Cargo Group and complements the existing offer to give you even more options for your air transport needs.” AFKLMP and CMA CGM Air Cargo officially launched their capacity partnership in April. The initiative was first announced in May last year, when CMA CGM said it planned to purchase a 9% stake in Air France-KLM Group as part of a new 10-year partnership that would see the airline and shipping group combine their fleets. The partnership means the two carriers are now jointly operating the full-freighter aircraft capacity of their respective airlines, initially including CMA CGM’s six freighter aircraft and AFKLMP’s six freighters. The commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including more than 160 long-haul aircraft.

UPS Healthcare has opened a purpose-built 8,700 sq m healthcare logistics facility to meet demand from businesses in the country’s growing healthcare sector. The $20m facility in the west of Singapore is located at Gul Circle, within easy reach of PSA Terminals, the manufacturing cluster at Tuas Biomedical Park and the site of the future seaport at Tuas. The facility near doubles UPS’s overall healthcare warehousing space in Singapore to more than 19,000 sq m, adding to the company’s dedicated healthcare facility at the Airline Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS). It is capable of storing healthcare products in temperatures ranging from minus 80 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius. Compliant with all GDPMDS, ISO 13485 and GMP certification standards, it is also able to provide additional value-added services such as packaging, labelling, returns logistics and local customs brokerage. “By expanding our healthcare logistics footprint into the west of Singapore, we strengthen our ability to manage and combine both ocean and air shipments and support the country’s ambitions of becoming a regional distribution centre for the pharmaceutical industry,” said Ianne Loh, vice president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, UPS Healthcare. “Data from UPS’s intra-Asia study, which was released earlier this year, shows that the region’s healthcare sector plays a key role in achieving the full potential of its trade growth by 2030. “Our experience as a world leader in complex healthcare logistics ensures businesses in Singapore can access the services they need while, most importantly, giving patients the peace of mind knowing that their critical healthcare treatments and devices are in safe hands.” The opening of the new facility is the latest in a series of recent developments by UPS to …

Jeena & Company is geared up to introduce J5 – a freight forwarding and customs clearance platform built on a completely new technology architecture. This will be rolled out module-wise. With a focus on streamlining resources and enhancing operational efficiency, Jeena & Company has consistently integrated cutting-edge technology into its services. The introduction of J5 (Jeena 5th generation) is a reflection of the company’s constant evolution and future-forward digital outlook. The J5 platform is web-enabled, quick, user-friendly, and comes powered with the latest UI-UX design, making it a game-changer for the company. With dashboard-based working and intelligent reporting, J5 is designed to enhance the productivity of the workforce and make their tasks easier. “At Jeena & Company, we believe that technology is the backbone of modern logistics and supply chains. By investing in our employees and leveraging the latest technologies, we are building a brighter future for Jeena and our trusted customers and partners. We believe that J5 is just the beginning of a long journey towards a more resourceful, customer-centric, and digitally-driven logistics industry.” said Mr Meheriar Patel, Group Chief Information Officer at Jeena & Company. The platform is also Indian Customs integrated and ISO compliant, which means that it will help in exchanging data with Indian Customs at a faster pace, leading to enhanced operations. It is a transformative solution that will empower the employees and facilitate transparent and quick data exchange.

Bulgaria-based Cargo Air has ordered its fifth Boeing 737-800SF freighter conversion from Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI). The aircraft, (MSN 30881) is slated to commence modification in June 2023 with all conversion-related touch labor to be performed by authorised AEI conversion centre Commercial Jet in Miami. Cargo Air purchase and fleet acquisitions director Angel Petrov said: “AEI has provided Cargo Air with sustainable freighter solutions since 2007. They have listened to our needs and collaborated with us on product innovations, many features which are not available on other B737-800 freighter conversions. “This is our fifth B737-800SF freighter with AEI and we will continue to rely on them for our fleet renovation in the future years to come while replacing our B737 Classic freighters with 737NG freighters.” Upon completion of this order, Cargo Air will operate a total of 16 AEI freighters, including a mix of B737-300SF, B737-400SF, and B737-800SF freighters. The AEI converted B737-800SF freighter offers a maindeck payload of more than 23 tonnes and incorporates eleven full height 88” x 125” container positions, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH.

Cargomen Logistics has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli and Logistics Sector Skill Council of India (LSCI) to launch a Post Graduate Diploma in International Logistics. This 15-month course consists of 12 months of classes and 3 months of capstone project will help Logisticians to acquire a Post Graduate qualification while they are working. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cargomen Logistics and Bharathidasan University and LSCI marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and knowledge exchange. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to foster innovation, nurture talent, and contribute to the growth and development of the logistics industry. The MOU was signed by Prof L Ganesan, Registrar Bhartidasan University, Prof Ganesan Sivapunniam , LSCI and Mr Harihar Nath, Managing Director Cargomen in the presence of Prof M Selvam, VC, Bhartidasan University, Prof Ramganesh Ekambaram , Bhartidasan University, Mr Rajeev Kumar Thukral , Chief Strategy Officer, Cargomen and Prof Prof Dr Gayathri Harish, LSCI. . .

Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics launched its first Express Hub in Bhiwandi. Followed with Luhari and Pune, these new processing centres are a part of Mahindra Logistics large format, multi-client warehouse that offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. With a network of 17 processing centres and 200+ branches across the country, Express Hubs will serve diverse industries including e-commerce, consumer and engineering and will be operationally driven by a sustainable ecosystem. These new facilities are equipped with a comprehensive range of features and measures to ensure high-class capabilities, automation, and safety standards. Sreeram Venkateswaran, Chief Executive Officer at Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics said, “We are committed to provide fastest, safest, and most reliable express deliveries to our clientele and warehousing network is a key element. With the launch of Express Hubs, we look forward to providing a larger reach, best-in-class service delivery, integrated as well as customised solution for inbound and fulfilment, along with a sustainable ecosystem to enhance our Express Business’s capability”. Gurgaon based Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics has its foundation in the relay full truck load business. Over the years, the brand has made a strong presence in the PTL/Express services with pan India network, high-quality technology, and service backbone.

Pradhaan Air Express and Teleport signed a Memorandum of Understanding to employ the world’s first converted A320 freighter to further increase its cargo network coverage and palletized capacity on critical sectors connecting India and Southeast Asia. Nipun Anand, founder and CEO, Pradhaan Air Express, said, “We are excited to partner with Teleport. As a young cargo airline, this partnership is a major step towards achieving our goal. We are grateful for the confidence reposed in us by the Teleport team.” Francis Antony, Group Head Cargo Commercial, Teleport said, “Our partnership with Pradhaan Air Express will enhance Teleport’s cargo offerings for our customers in Southeast Asia and the larger Asia Pacific region, additionally strengthen our capability to serve the growing e-commerce market in this region. This will also contribute towards our effort to consolidate our market leadership position in the Southeast Asia region.”

Climate technology leader, Pledge has secured USD10 million in Series A funding to drive its mission to help businesses reach net zero emissions, starting with the logistics and supply chain industry. Pledge provides accredited tools for supply chain leaders and freight forwarders to understand, report, reduce, and remove their logistics emissions. Its platform is built with accessibility, transparency, and simplicity at its core. “We started Pledge with the belief that technology can be a powerful lever in the fight against climate change,” said David de Picciotto, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pledge. “This funding round enables us to continue building best-in-class products to help accelerate businesses’ transition to net zero and remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere.” Increasing regulatory pressures from new climate directives, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Fit for 55 in Europe, mean supply chain and logistics leaders need to address their emissions and make significant, long-term reductions. Pledge is accredited by the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) for its adherence to the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) framework, the only globally recognised methodology for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the logistics supply chain, which has formed the basis of the recently published ISO 14083 standard. Pledge includes unique features such as Clarity™ and Accuracy™, which guide users through every step of the emissions calculation process, ensuring calculations are auditable and customers are confident in fulfilling their reporting requirements.

As part of STARGATE project, Athens International Airport (AIA) will be implementing Nallian’s Cargo Cloud, aiming to facilitate growth in a synergetic manner through optimization of the Airport’s cargo area physical infrastructure. The application to be initially used is Truck Visit Management, which coordinates freight pick ups and drop offs between cargo handlers, freight forwarders and trucking companies. It will involve key players in the air cargo activity for the first phase of the project scheduled for a period of 12 months, effective July 2023. The solution consists of a digital front desk and slot booking system which enables cargo stakeholders to make landside dock capacity available for slot booking and maximize usage while facilitating resource planning and eliminating wait times at the gates. STARGATE (SusTainable AiRports, the Green heArT of Europe), is an EU project focused on the development of innovative solutions to create the green airports and aviation of the future,

Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Kenya’s Astral Aviation said the company is planning to set up three more cargo subsidiaries following its new JV Suid Cargo Airlines in South Africa and new AOC ventures in the Middle East, Europe, and Australia. The company also has plans to divest 70 per cent stake in Astral to raise money. He further informed that he is planning to retain at least 51 per cent of Astral Aviation to comply with Kenyan ownership requirements, with unnamed strategic investors taking a 40-45 per cent shareholding. Gadhia also said Astral is keen to take a stake in new Indian cargo carrier, Pradhaan Air Express, which he helped launch last year by providing it with the world’s first A320-200(P2F). A second A320P2F would join the start-up’s fleet this year. Gadhia was also evaluating A321 and A330-300(P2F)s for the new carrier.