Category Archives: International

DSV has released its regular market outlook and forecasted that the air cargo volumes and capacity might stay flat in 2025. It has also mentioned that the global air cargo trade is likely to be stable, following massive growth of e-commerce volumes and Red Sea shipping crisis. The growth opportunities may further be restricted in global air cargo sector in 2025, the report stated. Also, the stricter customs and compliance standards will add complexity and cost which will also hamper the growth in air cargo volumes. The capacity is likely to remain flat as the next generation freighters aren’t likely to feature in the market before 2026. “With capacity expected to remain flat and possibly decline as older aircraft are retired due to age restrictions, any increase in demand will put additional stress on the market,” the market outlook stated.

dnata has broken ground on a new 57,000 sq. m warehousing facility in Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate. Strategically located near Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), the expansion represents an investment of AED 100 million (US$ 27 million). The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Steve Allen, CEO of dnata, in the presence of senior executives from both entities. Construction of the warehouse is underway, with completion scheduled for November 2025. Including its newest facility, dnata Logistics will offer world-class services from 11 locations in the UAE. “We are thrilled to break ground on this new, advanced facility, which represents a pivotal investment in our future growth. As we expand our product offerings and reach new markets, this warehouse will allow us to provide even better services to our customers, while staying at the forefront of operational innovation. Our commitment to sustainability is central to this project. From energy efficiency to waste reduction, every aspect of the warehouse has been designed with environmental efficiency in mind. The facility’s innovative features will help us grow responsibly, making a positive impact on the communities we serve,” Sean Bradley, Managing Director of dnata Logistics, said.          

Blue Dart has announced the launch of its latest innovation Blue Dart Affiliate Programme (BDAP) for its technology partners and ecosystem enablers. This innovative program is designed to foster collaboration with top technological enablers in the industry, offering seamless integration of Blue Dart’s advanced logistics solutions while creating new revenue opportunities for affiliates. A dedicated support team will ensure smooth collaboration, allowing affiliates to focus on building their solutions while Blue Dart handles all logistics needs. “At Blue Dart, innovation is at the core of everything we do. The launch of our Affiliate Program strengthens our commitment to collaborating with technology providers and offering world-class express logistics solutions. This program represents a unique opportunity for technology partners to expand their service offerings, increase revenue, and deliver best-in-class logistics capabilities to their customers,” Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart said.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for October 2024 global air cargo markets.  The demand growth measured in CTKs (cargo tonne-kilometers) grew by 9.8 per cent in October 2024, in comparison to the corresponding period of 2023. This is the 15th month of consecutive growth for the global air cargo sector. The ACTKs (available cargo tonne-kilometers) levels rose by 5.9 per cent YoY during the same period. “Air cargo markets continued their strong performance in October, with demand rising 9.8% year-on-year and capacity up 5.9%. Global air cargo yields (including surcharges) continue to rise, up 10.6% on 2023 and 49% on 2019 levels. While 2024 is shaping up to be a banner year for air cargo, we must look to 2025 with some caution. The incoming Trump Administration’s announced intention to impose significant tariffs on its top trading partners—Canada, China and Mexico—has the potential to upend global supply chains and undermine consumer confidence. The air cargo industry’s proven adaptability to rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic situations is likely to be tested as the Trump agenda unfolds,” Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, said.  

To deliver more innovative, sustainable and ethical logistics solutions, Geodis has unveiled a strategic plan ‘Ambition 2027’. The key objectives of the strategic ‘Ambition 2027’ plan include – supporting the users in their global logistics projects with diversified, tailored, value-added solutions, faster growth in the group’s financial performance and operational quality, and emphasis on social and environmental commitments as a central pillar in Geodis’ growth strategy. “In an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable world, GEODIS is constantly adapting and evolving to provide its customers with logistics solutions in which all modes of transport play a part, and which fully meet their expectations. The Ambition 2027 strategic plan strengthens our focus on operational, financial, social and environmental performance while staying true to the Group’s signature, ‘a better way to deliver,” Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO, GEODIS, said.  

Lufthansa Cargo and Maersk have signed an agreement to promote the decarbonization of airfreight with SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). It will use 400 metric tonnes of SAF on behalf of Maersk in the remainder of 2024. The expected cut down of CO2 emissions corresponds to at least 1,200 metric tonnes. “SAF is a decisive technological key to more sustainable flying and essential for the energy transition in aviation. With Maersk we are jointly making a valuable contribution with the new agreement. At the same time, more sustainable flying also requires major efforts for a modern fleet and increased efficiency in flight operations. It is only through this interplay that change can be achieved sustainably,” Ashwin Bhat, CEO, Lufthansa Cargo, said.

As part its strategic expansion plan for South India, FedEx has launched a direct flight between Guangzhou and Bengaluru via using a 767-300 freighter. This new trade lane will boost exports from Asia-Pacific region to Europe and the USA. FedEx has further strengthened its operations in Bengaluru, adding to its 22 weekly flights to and from the city. The flight will pave the way for essential imports of lithium-ion batteries and key components of the automotive and electronics industries. “India is one of the most exciting economic growth stories in the world today and represents a critical growth market for FedEx. I’m excited about the opportunities here in this dynamic and fast-changing region and am proud to strengthen our commitment to India by connecting local businesses to the world,” Richard W. Smith, COO, International and CEO, Airline, FedEx said.

DB Schenker has successfully completed the trial operation of remote-controlled forklifts at its contract logistics site in Kassel, Germany. Drivers can now control the vehicles from distance through a remote driving setup, pioneered by enabl Technologies. They are connected to several different vehicles at different locations via the enable platform. “The collaboration with enable allows us to react flexibly to fluctuations in demand and automate our processes to enhance productivity. We see this partnership with enabl Technologies as a valuable addition to our CL digitalization strategy, which will help us to secure our competitiveness in the long term.” Lucas Mömken, Vice President Global Engineering & Innovation in Contract Logistics, DB Schenker said.  

Grégory Goba-Blé, Head of UPS, India and Director of MOVIN Express shares, “We are expecting see more SMB clusters emerge from tier 2 & 3 cities. They will need robust digital connectivity and infrastructure to connect them to global supply chains. We’re looking at all opportunities to drive higher productivity and we will continue to lean into our customer-first, people-led, innovation-driven strategy. It’s about the combined power of our offerings to make logistics simple, accessible, and harmonized for customers. We recently opened a specialised healthcare-focused cross-docking facility in Hyderabad. It’s pharma grade with freight forwarding capabilities and is equipped with advanced temperature control capabilities to improve efficiency.”

To assist the companies certified under the National In-Country Value (ICV) programme, Etihad Cargo has further extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Through this collaboration, Etihad Cargo will provide discounted air cargo rates across its fleet to ICV-certified companies. The partnership aligns with the UAE’s vision to promote economic competitiveness and increase demand for local products, enabling UAE-based businesses to scale operations domestically while expanding to international markets. The extended MoU was signed by Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, and Salama Al Awadi, Director of National In-Country Value Programme (ICV) at MoIAT, in the presence of His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT.