Sodexi opens Paris airport warehouse

Aéroports de Paris and Sodexi have opened a 7,600 sq m express freight warehouse at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport.
The warehouse, with a €22m investment, will be used to manage and process flows of air freight and mail for express specialist Sodexi, which is 65 per cent  owned by Air France-KLM and 35 per cent by Geopost.
Construction of the logistics building was completed in autumn 2014, following the signing of a long-term building lease in October 2012. The new facility can process up to 55,000 tonnes per year from over 160,000 commercial flights at CDG.
Jérôme Balbi, managing director of Sodexi, said: “With the new express hub, located right next to the passenger terminals, Sodexi has acquired a modern, high- performance facility, ideal for processing flows of international express freight, particularly e-commerce-related.
“Located just a few minutes from the aircraft parking stands, we will be able to offer our customers extremely rapid transit times between two commercial flights, just like passengers making a connection at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
“A parcel collected at the end of the previous afternoon in Hong Kong will arrive in Paris early in the morning, and can be connected straight away to a flight to southern Europe or Scandinavia, for example, with delivery in the early afternoon.”

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/sodexi-opens-paris-airport-warehouse.html

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AF-KLM adds combi flights to Dubai

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo will this month add three B747 Combi frequencies from Amsterdam Airport-Schiphol (AMS) to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Starting 10 January,  the European carrier says that the upgrade offers “increased flexibility to carry main deck commodities to our hubs, Dubai International Airport (DXB), and to Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) which our freighters already use.”
The carrier states that it will be the “only scheduled airline” to offer 21 main deck pallet positions a week directly to Dubai International Airport.

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/af-klm-adds-combi-flights-to-dubai.html

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Kerry Logistics boosts network

Asia-based Kerry Logistics has bought a controlling stake in Dubai’s Able Logistics Group and a majority stake in the sea and air arms of Canada’s Total Logistics Partner (TLP). Able Logistics is an international freight forwarder with offices across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and China.
Total Logistics Partner Ocean Consolidators and Total Logistics Partner Air Express are two freight forwarding companies focused on the Asia-Canada trade. The acquisition has added Montreal and Toronto to Kerry Logistics’ worldwide network.
William Ma, group managing director of Kerry Logistics said: “These two acquisitions complement our existing international freight forwarding network and marked further inroads in our international expansion. With the addition of TLP, Kerry Logistics now operates in four countries in the Americas, comprising US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
“The investment in Able Logistics Group forms an instrumental part of our long-term strategy to build a global network across six continents. It expands our capabilities in the Middle East and to connect globally through a round-the-clock transit hub linking Asia to Middle East, Europe and Africa.”  

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/kerry-logistics-boosts-network.html

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Cologne cargo up 2% in 2014

Cologne Bonn Airport saw record air cargo growth in 2014, handling 753,000 tonnes, a two per cent increase on 2013.
The German airport handled 9.5m passengers in 2014 – a “significant rise” over prior year.
“2014 has exceeded our expectations. We have developed better than the German passenger market, partially with growth rates above five per cent,” says Michael Garvens, chairman of the management board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn
He added: “Without the numerous strikes we would even have done a little better, but all in all this is a very positive development.”
The “moderate” growth in air cargo can be put down to the economic recovery, says Garvens: “Freight has recovered somewhat from its low in 2013, but could not quite keep pace with the passenger traffic.”

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/cologne-cargo-up-2-in-2014.html

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Indian air cargo export surge hit by US$ yield decline

India’s booming air cargo market has registered a 13.5 per cent surge in outgoing volumes since 2011, although coupled with a “dismal yield” fall of 20 per cent in US$, says research house WorldACD.
The Netherlands-based consultancy, which uses primary data from the airlines themselves, said that India’s yield change looked a lot better in local currency Rupees, with a six per cent increase.
Incoming volume slipped slightly, but incoming yields fell considerably less than the worldwide average.
The UK, Germany and the UAE together take 25 per cent of all traffic from India, while Hong Kong, Germany and China account for around 40 per cent of all air cargo into India, states WorldACD.
The biggest growth sectors ex-India are live animal shipments (+243 per cent), perishables (+83 per cent) and pharmaceuticals (+67 per cent). Perishables boosted its share of the total from 12 per cent to 19 per cent, while pharma grew its share from six per cent to nine per cent.
“Whereas the bulk of the pharma goes to North America (Europe is second, Africa third), the best perishables and live animals destination is Middle East & South Asia (MESA). Incoming traffic shows similar growth figures for the three categories mentioned.
“Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai count for 70 per cent of India’s outgoing cargo. The fastest growing cities in general are Hyderabad and Kochi. Bangalore and Hyderabad show the highest growth in pharmaceuticals.” 
According to WorldACD, Middle East airlines profit most from India’s growth, followed by airlines from Europe. Asia Pacific-based carriers are losing market share, particularly in the markets from India to Europe.
WorldACD says that forwarder sector shows “great volatility” in the Indian market.
“Among the large forwarders, growth figures of 40 per cent and above are just as normal as big declines in market share. Expeditors, Panalpina, GAC Logistics and Damco are growing fast, mostly at the expense of regional forwarders, but certainly also hurting a number of the world’s largest "

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Transportation Logistics Trouble Wind Energy Industry

There are now more than 45,000 wind turbines in operation in the U.S., and the installed capacity continues to grow quickly. The wind energy industry is, however, experiencing logistical issues that impact the bottom line and wind energy deployment.Although policy uncertainty continues to plague the renewable energy industry, overcoming transportation issues are a tangible way to help bolster wind energy growth by lowering costs and reducing delays.

Source :  http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/01/transportation-logistics-trouble-wind-energy-industry/

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Indian govt extends 24x7 Customs clearance at more ports

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), under Department of Revenue, India’s Ministry of Finance, has issued a circular announcing extension of 24x7 Customs clearance facility at 13 more airports in respect of all export goods and at 14 more sea ports in respect of specified import and export goods.   “Board has decided that with effect from 31.12.2014 the facility of 24x7 Customs clearance for specified imports viz goods covered by ‘facilitated’ Bills of Entry and specified exports viz factory stuffed containers and goods exported under free Shipping Bills will be made available, at 18 sea ports,” CBEC said in its circular.   The sea ports are: Chennai, Cochin, Ennore, Gopalpur, JNPT, Kakinada, Kandla, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Mangalore, Marmagoa, Mundra, Okha, Paradeep, Pipavav, Sikka, Tuticorin, and Vishakapatnam.   “Board has also decided that with effect from 31.12.2014 the facility of 24x7 Customs clearance for specified imports viz goods covered by facilitated Bills of Entry and all exports viz goods covered by all Shipping Bills will be made available, at 17 air cargo complexes,” the circular said.   The 17 complexes are: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Calicut, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nashik, Thiruanantapuram, and Vishakapatnam.   CBEC said related issues such as availability of required personnel, keeping open the delivery gates 24x7 at air cargo complexes etc have been resolved.   “It is expected that an effective 24x7 Customs clearance facility will greatly facilitate trade and reduce transaction cost,” the circular said.   http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=169807

 

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China approves three new foreign courier firms

China has permitted three new overseas courier firms to offer domestic delivery services, state news agency Xinhua said on Thursday, as part of government pledges to further open up the fast-growing market.
The State Post Bureau has approved Yamato (China) Transport Co Ltd, the China unit of Yamato Holdings Co Ltd, OCS Overseas Courier Service (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Kerry Logistics Co Ltd, Xinhua said.
The government said in September it would ease restrictions on foreign couriers seeking to deliver packages nationwide.
Express parcel delivery is booming in China, thanks to a surge in e-commerce. The Chinese market, however, is highly fragmented and competition is stiff.
There are currently more than 35,000 express delivery companies operating in the country. Some can ship packages for hundreds of miles as quickly as within the same day, and for as little as 2 yuan (32 US cents), compared to the U.S. Postal Service, which on average charges at least $10 for a domestic delivery.
FedEx Corp and United Parcel Service Inc already operate express parcel delivery services in China.

Source : http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/01/china-freight-idUSL3N0UG0U420150101

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Canada bans lithium metal cargo on airliners

Canada is to ban transporting lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger flights.
Earlier this year, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted a ban on the shipment of lithium metal batteries as cargo aboard passenger aircraft after growing concern that if ignited, they can cause any nearby batteries to overheat and catch fire.
While most passenger airlines in Canada have already voluntarily banned lithium metal batteries as cargo, the ban comes into effect on January 1, 2015, to comply with the ICAO ban. It will apply to all shipments of lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft within Canada.
It does not apply to batteries already contained in or packed with equipment, but only to those packaged and shipped separately. The ban will not affect travellers’ personal devices such as laptops and smartphones, which use lithium ion batteries.
The United States has already banned the transportation of lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger flights.

Source : http://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/2014/12/federal-government-bans-shipments-of-lithium-metal-batteries-on-passenger-flights/

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Pharma defection to ocean is ‘wake-up call’ to airfreight

Airlines are targeting premium products to claw back lost revenue from the recession. Foremost of those is the cool chain for fresh produce and pharmaceuticals.
But, according to Steef Van Amersfoort, chairman of the air transport at the Dutch Shippers Council and veteran pharmaceutical-logistics executive, there is a massive difference between what pharma shippers need and expect, and what the airlines actually deliver.
“To be honest, there aren’t a lot of airlines offering time and temperature sensitive (T&TS) shipping services that I am confident of,” he says.
“I don’t want to be told ‘don’t worry’ about my shipment. I need to know everything about the service. I need to know about the hardware, but also about its organisational processes, so I can see it is properly a part of the company.
“I often see that the airlines control the service themselves at the origin and during transit,” he adds, “but at the destination they rely on handling companies that either do not offer the same service or offer one that the airline is not willing to pay a premium for.
“Even within the airline, not everyone always knows about the specifications of the service. If you offer a service you have to ensure it can be delivered to every part of your network at the same level of quality and reliability.”
Van Amersfoort says that there have been encouraging developments lately, but that there is still far to go.
“With so much pharma now being sent by ship, that should be a wake-up call for airlines to start investing into a reliable air cargo supply chain for pharma,” he warns.
“IATA implementing a T&TS label was a nice first step, as was the task force, but there is still a huge gap between the premium we pay and the premium service we get.
“Carriers need to recognise that becoming a pharma specialist requires more than just saying you’re one. It requires training of operational people and an obligation to invest in airport facilities.”

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/pharma-defection-to-ocean-is-wake-up-call-to-airfreight.html

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Ambak joins Emirates SkyCargo

Henrik Ambak has joined Emirates SkyCargo as senior vice president, cargo operations worldwide.
Ambak, a Danish national, joins the freight division of Emirates with 27 years of experience in the air cargo industry, having worked for companies such as Novia, CSLux and Cargolux Airlines.
He started his career as a freight forwarder, and then moved into ground and cargo handling, before joining Cargolux to oversee cargo and ground handling, trucking, standards and procedures, network delivery, ground safety, ULD management, Customs and e-Business, as well as IT systems used by the commercial division.
Ambak will be responsible for the management of all Emirates SkyCargo’s operations at its Dubai hub, comprising the Cargo Mega Terminal at Dubai International Airport and Emirates SkyCentral at Dubai World Central, as well as the operations at the more than 140 outstations across the world.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, cargo, said: “Henrik has vast experience in the air cargo industry and this will make him a great addition to our team.
“He joins us at an exciting time when we are experiencing good growth, particularly with the recent start of freighter operations at Emirates SkyCentral and the expansion of our current facilities at Dubai International.”
Said Ambak: “I am proud to be joining a market leader with a strong vision of growth for the future. I look forward to being a part of the Emirates SkyCargo team and contributing to its continued success.”
Emirates SkyCargo operates a fleet of 12 Boeing 777Fs and two Boeing 747-400ERFs.

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/ambak-joins-emirates-skycargo.html

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Exelsius launches pharma programme

Exelsius has launched a pharmaceutical qualification programme (PQP) for companies involved in the handling and transportation of pharmaceutical & life science products.
The UK-based international cold chain management consultancy says that its programme allows airports, freight forwarders and logistics service providers to become certified to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards.
The PQP has been developed specifically for those involved in the air cargo cool chain and allows participants to demonstrate that they are compliant to the latest GDP regulations issued by the airlines, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the European Union and the US Food and Drugs Administration.
Exelsius chief executive Tony Wright says: “With over half of the value of healthcare products being moved by air, shippers will be seeking only the most compliant GDP logistics providers.
“This programme will be of initial importance in the UK where the MHRA have taken a lead in requiring airport ground handling companies, airlines and forwarders holding pharmaceuticals to have applied for a Wholesale Dealers Authorisation (WDA).
“With the Exelsius pharmaceutical qualification programme, organisations involved in good distribution practice can be ready to meet those requirements.
The PQP programme includes a full facility assessment, compliance plans, quality management system & SOP development, vendor assessment, route qualification and a fully integrated and certificated training plan.
The PQP requires participants to demonstrate compliance with all aspects of an initial gap analysis and training programme before certification will be granted. Re‐assessment will take place within two years.

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/exelsius-launches-pharma-programme.html

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IAG Cargo gains pharma certificate

IAG Cargo has received GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certification for pharmaceutical transport.
The carrier, bringing together the cargo divisions of British Airways and Iberia, says that it is the first airline to be awarded GDP certification by a national government health agency in meeting the premier standard for pharma transport.
IAG Cargo received the award following an inspection by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. The carrier has been granted Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA) for medicines intended for both human and veterinary use.
Alan Dorling, global head of pharmaceuticals & life sciences at IAG Cargo, commented: “The authorisation is testament to the significant investments we have made in our dedicated people and our temperature controlled infrastructure facilities and capabilities, in addition to continuous product development and training to improve our customer experience.
“It is welcome third party recognition that IAG Cargo has become the diamond standard for the transportation of medicines worldwide and underscores our global leadership in this fast-growing market.”
IAG Cargo has made significant investment in its Constant Climate product for specialist service for time-and-temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, and is now available in more than 100 stations worldwide.
Loranne Vella Zahra, global quality assurance manager at IAG Cargo, said: “GDP is a complex area that requires all areas of our supply chain to adhere to the highest standards. Our network ensures that only authorised pharmaceutical products are distributed safely, and their strength, stability, purity, potency and integrity are maintained throughout.
“Achieving full GDP status and being granted a WDA is testament to the strong quality system we have in place and the investment we have put in people, equipment, facilities and processes.”
To ensure the integrity of shipments, accredited GDP/WDA shippers  are likely to select those carriers that have a GDP/WDA licence.

Source :  http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/iag-cargo-gains-pharma-certificate.html

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Cathay signs up DoKaSch pharma containers

Cathay Pacific Cargo has signed a master agreement to rent DoKaSch Temperature Solutions' RKN and RAP Opticooler active containers.
The containers, to be rolled out across the Hong Kong-based airline’s network in the first quarter of 2015, are aimed at the shipment of temperature-sensitive goods and pharmaceutical products,.
“Cathay Pacific Cargo is pleased to be the first Asian carrier offering our customers an alternative solution for their temperature-sensitive air cargo shipments,” said Mark Sutch, Cathay Pacific’s general manager cargo sales & marketing.
“In a growing market, and in Asia in particular, we can provide the entire range of active containers, enabling us to offer our customers the best possible air-cargo solution to meet their needs.”

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/cathay-signs-up-dokasch-pharma-containers.html

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Cargo pallets go on a diet

Air France-KLM is introducing new aluminum pallets that are 17kg lighter than standard pallets but just as strong.
The new 83kg pallets will gradually replace all the current standard stock - each weighing 100kg - in the airline’s fleet.
Said a spokesperson: “Air France-KLM is fully committed to reducing the company’s CO2 footprint, and weight reduction on board the aircraft is an important part of that effort.
“After the successful introduction of lightweight pallet nets last year, another big step is now being taken with the introduction of lightweight pallets.”

Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/cargo-pallets-go-on-a-diet.html

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