Cainiao Group and online retailer AliExpress are partnering to launch a five-day global delivery service for cross-border packages. The company would achieve the new service through “full-chain operational optimisation and streamlining of workflows across first-mile pick-up, line haul, overseas distribution, and last-mile delivery,” said official release. The new service will bring a 30% uplift in delivery speed compared to the industry standard, the logistics firm said. Wan Lin said, “The next decade will unveil new development opportunities for smart logistics, and Cainiao will dedicate our efforts to building a leading global smart logistics network. This includes establishing three long-chain logistics networks encompassing domestic logistics, cross-border logistics, and overseas logistics, as well as creating three short-chain businesses in last-mile post stations, logistics infrastructure, and logistics technology. The goal is to provide quality and competitive logistics services to our consumers, merchants, platforms, and logistics partners.” The company will also target overseas markets with a focus on key logistics nodes in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, specifically with a target to establish one to two local warehousing and distribution centers each year.

Asia Pacific air cargo business continues to suffer in May from “subdued demand conditions, driven by weak business confidence levels”, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). Preliminary air cargo traffic figures for May showed that in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) terms, air cargo demand fell by 7% year on year in May. Offered capacity rose by 6%, leading to an 8.5 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.1% for the month. Subhas Menon, AAPA director general, said, “Air cargo demand remained soft, reflecting the prevailing weak global economic conditions and in particular, the slowdown in the manufacturing sector. He added, “Trade tensions are likely to weigh down on cargo markets for some time to come whereas air travel demand is expected to demonstrate resilience in spite of the headwinds in the external environment.” The AAPA said that international passenger markets continue to grow strongly amidst the restoration of flights in the region, resulting in increased belly capacity.

The availability of air connectivity and wide-body aircraft capacity, be it to domestic or international destinations, is vital for the growth of the air cargo industry, says Kiran Jain, Chief Operating Officer at Noida International Airport (NIA). Utilizing wide-body aircraft can offer increased cargo capacity and cost-efficiency advantages, especially for long-haul and high-demand routes. While factors such as infrastructure limitations, operational costs, and market demand may influence the feasibility of wide-body aircraft deployment, some cargo operators have incorporated wide-body aircraft into their fleet to meet specific cargo requirements. In addition to air connectivity, road, and rail connectivity also play an important part for last mile connectivity and cannot be overlooked in building a robust logistics ecosystem.

DTDC Express launches new facility at Geethanjali Industrial Park, Velappanchavadi in Chennai. The newly launched facility spans over 1,75,000 square feet and has 38 docks which help to optimize cross-docking efficiency. Furthermore, the hub is equipped with robust infrastructure facilitating the handling and processing of over 350 tonnes of shipments daily. The facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art sortation system that can process an impressive up to 9000 parcels per hour, utilizing the innovative linear cross-belt system. Located along the bustling Chennai-Poonamallee-Bangalore highway, the newly established DTDC super hub offers seamless connectivity to prominent urban centers in South India. Moreover, the super hub serves as a crucial link to other significant destinations like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, further expanding its reach and influence in the region.

EV Cargo plans to launch its own operations in Vietnam as it continues expanding in Southeast Asia. The main EV Cargo office, located in Ho Chi Minh City, will manage the provision of air and sea freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, and cross-border e-commerce services, along with cargo handling facilities in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Haiphong, “enabling buyer’s consolidation, multi-country consolidation and LCL groupage services, all powered by EV Cargo people and systems”, said EV Cargo. Headed by Ruby Nguyen, managing director EV Cargo Vietnam, the new operation in Vietnam will be fully integrated into EV Cargo’s global logistics execution platform, which manages the movement by air, sea and road of merchandise for its customers between 2,400 country pairs every year. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions and logistics markets, as well as being an important sourcing origin for retailers and consumer goods brands, Southeast Asia represents a key strategic market for EV Cargo.

For the freighters to survive and thrive, the Government must re-look its policy of duty on aircraft leasing. As this is a big deterrent for this industry at the moment. There is also a need for more players who can invest in cargo only aircrafts,” says Yashpal Sharma, President, ACFI. With the arrival of new freighter operators like Pradhan air and Quikjet there is expectation of the Indian market to have long term sustainable capacity which will be positive news for Indian shippers. But there is a sizable addition of capacity in the Indian skies by the Indian and foreign airlines, he adds.

Prologis and Blackstone announced a definitive agreement for Prologis to acquire nearly 14 million square feet of industrial properties from opportunistic real estate funds affiliated with Blackstone for $3.1 billion, funded by cash. The acquisition price represents an approximately 4% cap rate in the first year and a 5.75% cap rate when adjusting to today’s market rents, says release. “We’re pleased to be working with Blackstone on this deal. These high-quality properties are complementary to our portfolio and fit perfectly into our long-term strategic plan for growth,” said Dan Letter, President, Prologis. “The acquisition demonstrates our unique ability to add significant scale to our portfolio – expanding customer relationships and increasing opportunities for our growing essentials platform.”

The Indian air cargo industry is adopting AI and sustainability to reduce operational and production costs, and boost demand, says Chandra Kant Govil, Managing Director, Activair Airfreight and Vice President, ACAAI. I feel AI revolution is sweeping the air cargo industry. We recently heard of a new hydrogen-powered electric blended-wing body cargo aircraft that could bring zero-emission technology to the air cargo industry. Adopting this technology in air cargo can tremendously help the aviation industry achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050. Many startups have emerged that are closing the gap between AI-powered technologies and faster air cargo handling across India. AI can help in better planning and resource utilisation and save time and effort. AI’s entry into our industry was long due and is expected to alter our modus operandi forever. We are trying to adopt as many techniques as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I think incentivizing the production of green aviation fuel, which currently costs up to four times the traditional fuel, is a worthy endeavour by global industry leaders. We recently heard of a new hydrogen-powered electric blended-wing body cargo aircraft that could bring zero-emission technology to the air cargo industry. Adopting this technology in air cargo can tremendously help the aviation industry achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050.”

Astral Aviation has signed its first formal partnership agreement with disaster response nonprofit Airlink. “In the agreement, Astral Aviation promises to transport 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid over the next year. Airlink will utilise the cargo space to support the movement of humanitarian aid across Astral Aviation’s network, already leveraging this partnership in order to support a shipment of medicines and medical supplies to South Sudan, stated an oficial release. “The supplies were donated by Airlink’s NGO partner, Partners for World Health, to an additional member of Airlink’s network, IMA World Health, and will be distributed in flood-affected regions in the Greater Upper Nile region as well as in health facilities along South Sudan’s border with Uganda,” the release added. Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO, Astral Aviation says, “As Astral Aviation, we see the partnership with Airlink as an important opportunity to support some of the humanitarian efforts in the Sub-Saharan region so as to help alleviate the suffering on some of the war-ravaged and disaster stricken population.”

Etihad Cargo has launched Pharma Champions, a development programme to further build its pharmaceutical business and support teams to enhance local expertise, benefiting the carrier’s customers and partners with improved service levels. The programme comprises online and onsite training, a visit to Etihad Cargo’s dedicated pharmaceutical hub and the development of a dedicated PharmaLife action plan, giving participants the tools to identify new business opportunities and ensure Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product is delivered in full compliance with international standards. “Etihad Cargo has developed and launched Pharma Champions to enhance the carrier’s capabilities in transporting high-value, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals across its global network,” said Tim Isik, vice president commercial at Etihad Cargo. “In addition to giving participants — Etihad Cargo’s Pharma Champions — a more in-depth understanding of PharmaLife’s key features, the programme facilitates the development of a tailored PharmaLife action plan that will enable the champions to provide customer service excellence, enhanced customer response times and expertise within their regions. “These Pharma Champions are an integral part of Etihad Cargo’s cool chain strategy and operations for the coming years and will act as focal contact points in the carrier’s key PharmaLife markets.