Category Archives: International

New York’s JFK International Airport will get its first new cargo terminal in 20 years as part of modernisation programme. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has signed a long-term ground lease agreement with Aeroterm for the development of a $145m, 350,000 sq ft cargo facility on more than 26 acres. The facility will be operated by Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) once completed. The Aeroterm project will demolish two obsolete facilities at JFK and build an expanded facility that will incorporate “advanced technology systems designed for maximum efficiency in the handling and storage of cargo, as well as a dedicated temperature-controlled area for handling pharmaceutical products”. This includes greater ramp capacity to handle three large freighters and more than 50 dock doors. Demolition of the existing facilities is scheduled to begin in September 2021, with project completion expected by the end of 2023.

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, announced the launch of its OTP-based non-contact delivery service in India today, making it the first international logistics player to offer this service in the country. As an industry leader, the company has always been at the forefront of innovation. The launch of the non-contact delivery service will help to ensure maximum employee and customer safety, amidst the new normal. Commenting on this new offering, R.S Subramanian, Senior Vice-President & Managing Director, DHL Express India said, “The ongoing pandemic has made businesses rethink and re-invent operations. Safety of our employees and customers has always been our top priority, while ensuring business continuity. The launch of non-contact deliveries is a step towards enhancing customer experience, while maintaining safety standards at the time of delivery. It is a win-win for all.”

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) will capitalise on the growth in its cargo operations through the conversion of an A320NEO into a dedicated cargo-in-cabin aircraft. Flying from 21st June the newly converted aircraft will operate initially five times weekly across the region and further grow RB’s strategic focus in the cargo sector. “We’re delighted to launch this new service to the cargo community to further support the strong regional demand and of course continue our role of transporting essential supplies and services into and from Brunei. Our cargo operation has performed strongly over the last 12 months and this A320NEO conversion allows us to further build on our capability, network and the strategic location of Brunei in the region to maximise the opportunity.” said Captain Khalidkhan Hj Asmakhan, RB’s CEO.

On the occasion of Day of the Seafarer, DP World, UAE Region reaffirmed its support for the seafarer community through the Jebel Ali International Seafarers Centre, located in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The Jebel Ali International Seafarers Centre has been a breakout zone for crew members of vessels calling at the Jebel Ali Port and the crew of vessels at other ports in the UAE. Since the relaunch of the Jebel Ali Seafarers Centre in 2016, the entity has supported over 20,000 seafarers through various initiatives. As part of its sustainability initiatives, DP World, UAE Region will be carrying out several activities including medical screening (vital signs, ophthalmology, dental, etc.) and distribution of food packs/meals and giveaways packs to support the seafarers. The smart trade enabler will also host awareness sessions on ocean protection topics.

Global port operator D P World Ltd will close the deal on July 1 to buy three units of Dubai-based Transworld Group promoted by Indian businessman Ramesh Ramakrishnan, ten months after it was announced in August last year. The acquisition will help the Dubai government owned firm bolster its Indian and global logistics play as part of a strategy to transform from a pure play container terminal operator into an integrated supply chain solutions provider. The transaction was cleared by the Competition Commission of India on June 7. D P World’s majority-owned subsidiary Unifeeder ISC FZCO has acquired 100 per cent of Avana Logistek Limited (including its subsidiary Avana Global FZCO) and Transworld Feeders Private Ltd (the containerized Indian coastal and EXIM feeder shipping operations of Mumbai-listed Shreyas Shipping & Logistics Ltd, excluding its container vessels and bulk ship operations).

DRONAMICS, the leading middle-mile cargo drone developer and operator and the global full-service provider Hellmann Worldwide Logistics have entered a strategic partnership to develop and offer a pioneering new transport service for the cross-border transportation of time-critical goods. As part of the cooperation, Hellmann plans to offer the first routes with unmanned cargo drones from DRONAMICS as early as next year. This partnership will provide customers seeking an on-demand solution for shipping goods with an integrated service, with DRONAMICS’ next-generation middle-mile service offering a speedy delivery at a competitive cost. The two companies will work together to develop the initial routes that they will be piloting for customers early next year. The first geography of interest will be Europe, where the regulatory environment permits operations across the European Union.

International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reinforce collaboration between the two organizations. FIATA represents the freight forwarding industry by advocating trade facilitation policies and promoting best practices in the supply chain to speak with a unified voice in support of freight forwarding associations and logistics companies. ICHCA is dedicated to improving the safety, security, sustainability, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and goods movement by all modes and through all phases of national and international supply chains. The MoU facilitates close coordination between FIATA and ICHCA to help them pursue their respective organizational goals and further mutual understanding. The MoU also creates the framework for cooperation that will enable both organizations to benefit from agreed actions and initiatives to achieve common objectives.

IAG Cargo and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) have partnered with more freight forwarders on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flights. IAG Cargo has partnered with Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) to complete its first net zero charter chain, comprised of 16 flights, using SAF. Operated between Stuttgart and Atlanta and partially powered with SAF, the charters marked the first time ever that passenger-freighter flights were operated with net-zero carbon emissions. K+N explained in a statement: “As SAF still produces some CO2 emissions, complete carbon neutrality was achieved by substituting each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.25 litres of SAF.” The forwarder added that it is expanding its sustainable services offering to its customers with “innovative and easily customised shipping options”. “The overall commitment so far of 12.7m litres of SAF allows [our] customers to benefit from immediately available alternative fuel solutions to reduce CO2 emissions of their air freight globally,” the company said.

The world’s largest cargo airline will provide forwarders in Europe with real-time pricing, capacity, and eBookings via WebCargo. Qatar Airways Cargo announced that WebCargo by Freightos will be introduced across the European region* effective 30 June 2021. Forwarders will be able to conduct eBookings with access to live rates and available capacity on the WebCargo platform. With the implementation of WebCargo across Europe, the total count of countries in the airline’s network on the platform will increase to 32. This will allow customers to further digitalise their experience with the airline in the region, resulting in more process efficiencies and faster market responses. Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Mr. Guillaume Halleux, said: “We are glad to further roll out the third-party eBooking platform, WebCargo throughout Europe, as we aim to provide digital connectivity for our customers and extend digitalisation across our operations. This will bring in more efficiencies in the supply chain and provide multiple benefits for our customers. Our aim is to gradually roll out WebCargo throughout our global network during the year, providing convenience and transparency to our customers.”

Shippers hoping for some pricing respite from ocean carriers have been battered this week by further records falling. Drewry’s World Container Index, published yesterday, saw its steepest climb since its inception in 2012. Drewry’s composite World Container index rose a further 15.9% or $1,104 to reach $8,061.65 per feu, which is 332% higher than the same week in 2020. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by more than a third in the space of week, from $6,358 per feu last week to $8,548 this week. Rates from Asia to US east coast also soared 39% to $11,180 per feu. “Drewry expects rates to remain on the higher side in the coming week,” the UK analysts stated yesterday.