FedEx-TNT deal to create third force in express

FedEx’s planned takeover of rival carrier TNT would create a third force in the express market – and unlike UPS’ attempted takeover 2½ years ago, it would succeed, the leaders of the two companies predicted at a press conference this morning. The acquisition would bring TNT’s “exceptional” road platform into the FedEx fold, helping to strengthen what had been a...

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FedEx set to buy TNT Express for $4.8bn

US parcels and logistics giant FedEx has made a $4.8bn  bid to acquire rival operator TNT Express of the Netherlands, with both sides reaching a conditional agreement on the deal. The agreement recommends an all-cash offer by FedEx for all issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including shares represented by American Depositary Receipts of TNT Express for...

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Hong Kong will be a three-runway airport by 2023

Hong Kong's government has approved a third runway for the city’s international airport. Expected to open by 2023, it will help the island maintain its status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub and help Hong Kong maintain its position against other Asian rivals in China and Singapore. The HK$141.5bn (US$18.2bn) scheme will be funded from internal funds, borrowings and user fees, including a HK$180 (US$23.20) additional passenger fee. The new runway would be to the north of the airport...

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Cargojet network expansion

Canada’s Cargojet is expanding its domestic air cargo network from the beginning of April. Cargojet, operating overnight services across North America plus global charters, has a total freighter fleet of 24 aircraft, including the recent introduction of five B767-300ERFs, three B767-200ERFs and one B757-200ERF. The carrier did not outline...

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WCS: Shippers slam poor service

If the air cargo community was under any illusion that its efforts to speed up door-to-door delivery and eliminate paper documents are winning over shippers, it may have to think again, writes Martin Roebuck. Two major shippers tore into the industry for its poor service quality and communication in a no-holds-barred session at the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in...

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FedEx sees peak season bounce

US parcels giant FedEx saw third quarter revenues up four per cent to $11.7bn. “We had a very successful peak season as volumes grew across all transportation segments, and our profit improvement programs are moving ahead as scheduled,” said Fred Smith, FedEx Corp chairman, president and chief executive officer. Operating results for the third quarter ended...

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DHL right in the heart of Texas

DHL has opened a service centre facility in Houston, Texas, mainly to serve the oil and gas sector. The $2.5m, 28,000 sq ft facility can process more than 2,500 shipments per hour, nearly double the existing capacity and will allow for earlier delivery times and later drop off times. DHL Express says it has seen an uptick in emergency shipping of machinery...

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UPS extends pharma network

UPS customers can now ship biological substances, dangerous goods in excepted quantities and shipments using dry ice to more than 20 additional international destinations. The US-based global express and logistics’ operator says that the expansion is a direct response to a growing demand from biopharmaceutical manufacturers, diagnostics companies, laboratories and ...

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Lieb to quit DB Schenker Logistics

Thomas Lieb, management board chairman of Schenker AG, will leave the German logistics company at the end of this month “by best mutual agreement”. The 56 year-old will take on new responsibilities outside the German railway parent company, Deutsche Bahn Group. Dr Lieb has resigned “immediately” as head of business unit at DB Schenker Logistics and as management...

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TNT launches Tel Aviv freighter links

TNT has launched a Monday to Friday B737-400F service between Israeli capital Tel Aviv and the express operator's European hub in Liege, Belgium. The new service "answers increasing demand" and allows TNT to shorten transit times for express shipments to and from Tel Aviv by one day. The flight arrives in Tel Aviv in the morning...

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Pharma helps K+N airfreight outpace the market

Kuehne+Nagel beat 2014 airfreight market growth with a 5.3 per cent increase in volumes to 1.2m tonnes for the full year. The Switzerland-based logistics giant’s air cargo increase is more than twice last year’s global market benchmark average of between three and four per cent. K+N, the world’s second largest airfreight forwarder by tonnages, said that the key...

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Panalpina launches 'Brazil Wings' freighters to São Paulo

  Panalpina is adding a B747-400 freighter service to São Paulo, Brazil, aimed at manufacturers of heavy machinery and equipment for agriculture and mining. The direct service from US hub Huntsville to São Paulo, called Brazil Wings, has been designed for customers in the mid-west and in parts of the s south eastern US. As of March,...

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Volvo renews TNT international delivery contract

  Swedish truck and bus maker Volvo has renewed a three-year contract with express operator TNT for ‘inbound to production’ and aftermarket delivery services in Europe. TNT will continue to handle Volvo’s European emergency production movements. TNT collects automotive components and parts from more than 800 different suppliers in Europe and delivers them to...

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Airfreight bolsters Expeditors’ figures

A ten per cent year on year increase in airfreight net revenues contributed to a strong 2014 fourth quarter for US forwarder and logistics company Expeditors. The Washington-based company said its net earnings had increased 19 per cent in the quarter, to almost $99.4m, compared with $83.5m in the same period of 2013. Ocean freight net revenue...

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Losses mount at dampened Damco

Damco, the global logistics arm of Danish shipping group AP Moller Maersk, more than doubled its annual losses to $293m for the full year 2014. The ocean giant parent said that Damco's losses were due to “significant” impairment hits  in 2014 and “reduced profitability” in its ocean and airfreight segments. Netherlands- headquartered Damco, which recorded...

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